Truth be told, I should have a 10 top covers list below, but evidently I really didn’t keep good track of all the covers I listened too this year…  However, the following five are on constant rotation on my ipod and therefore are listed as my top 5 for 2009.

5. 6PM

5. 6PM – Down The Line (Jose Gonzalez cover)

I always enjoy a little splash of electronic elements on an otherwise organic track, which is exactly what 6PM did with  this cover of Jose Gonzalez’s “Down The Line” by 6PM.  6PM is the Spanish duo of Ivan Oubina and Rual Mon.  This track can be found on their Tape Worms EP.

Video of the Original track by Jose Gonzalez:

4. Coury Palermo

4.Coury Palermo – Here Comes the Rain Again (Eurythmics cover)

Spectacular cover of a classic and beloved Eurythmics track. Coury takes a minimalist take with organic flare and let’s his voice soar, twist and dive into an abyss of orchestration.

Original Track:

Coury Palermo has just released is first EP, “boxsideoutV.1″ which can be purchased on iTunes.   And as an added bonus is releasing a new remix of his cover version of Eurythmics, “Here Comes The Rain Again”.  This particular cover is remixed by Odd Year.

Coury Palermo – Here Comes the Rain Again (Odd Year)

5. 6PM

5. 6PM – Down The Line (Jose Gonzalez cover)

I always enjoy a little splash of electronic elements on an otherwise organic track, which is exactly what 6PM did with  this cover of Jose Gonzalez’s “Down The Line” by 6PM.  6PM is the Spanish duo of Ivan Oubina and Rual Mon.  This track can be found on their Tape Worms EP.

Video of the Original track by Jose Gonzalez:

4. Coury Palermo

4.Coury Palermo – Here Comes the Rain Again (Eurythmics cover)

Spectacular cover of a classic and beloved Eurythmics track. Coury takes a minimalist take with organic flare and let’s his voice soar, twist and dive into an abyss of orchestration.

Original Track:

Taken from Sleepthief’s forthcoming album, Labyrinthine Heart, the new single WORLD GONE CRAZY, is a gorgeous new track of shimmering synths, orchestral strikes and lush vocals from the extremely talented Coury Palermo.  Fans of Delerium and William Orbit will find much to love on this single.  Be on the look out for Sleepthief’s new album to drop in August, which lists an impressive roster of guest vocalist (read below for more details).

Also, tune into NewNowNext July 1st on Logo for the world premiere video “World Gone Crazy”.

Sleepthief – World Gone Crazy:

More info:

The first single from the new album (LABYRINTHINE HEART) is called WORLD GONE CRAZY with Coury Palermo. The digital single will be available on all major digital download portals on June 30. The single features 5 mixes of the track including (1) The Psychosomatic Radio Edit (2) Nick Murray Remix (3)Sensory Gate Remix, (4) Martin Preston Mix, and (5) Coury Palermo Mix

The full-length sophomore album LABYRINTHINE HEART is scheduled for a late August release.  The album includes 13 tracks with vocals from:

Kirsty Hawkshaw (Opus III, BT, DJ Tiesto, Delerium)

Kristy Thirsk (Rose Chronicles, Delerium)

Zoe Johnston (Faithless, Above & Beyond, Bent)

Coury Palermo (lynden, Neverending White Lights)

Caroline Lavelle (Massive Attack, BT, Vangelis)

Jody Quine (Balligomingo) and

Roberta Carter Harrison (Wild Strawberries, ATB)

There are a few “firsts” for Sleepthief on this album–the inclusion of a male vocalist (Coury) and also a duet between Coury and Zoe Johnston. A cover of the well-known 80′s hit by Frida (former member of ABBA) entitled THERE’S SOMETHING GOING ON (this time sung by Roberta Carter Harrison) is included on the album.

The first album by SLEEPTHIEF was THE DAWNSEEKER (Neurodisc/Echotone) and is available on Amazon and I-tunes. Two singles were released from the first album:  Eurydice (featuring Jody Quine) and The Chauffeur (featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw). Both singles are available digitally on I-tunes along with numerous remixes of the original tracks.

www.myspace.com/sleepthief
www.sleepthiefmusic.com

Spectacular cover of a classic and beloved Eurythmics track.  Coury takes a minimalist take with organic flare and let’s his voice soar, twist and dive into an abyss of orchestration.

Coury has several new projects in the pipeline:

- Three songs on the new Sleepthief record, “Labyrinthine Heart” (due in July),
including first single “World Gone Crazy“.
- Collaborations with Sunday Radio & Odd Year
- Recording an ep under the name Finley Grey (with former bandmate Matt Butler)
- Working on first solo album, “smoke, mirrors & the heartache that follows”

Coury Palermo – Here Comes The Rain Again (Eurythmics Cover)

Fill this under,  an artist we should all keep an eye on in the coming year.  His name is Coury Palermo and has previously released covers and was also the front man of  a previous rock band named Lynden.

Upon listening to his first single, Someday, made my jaw drop.  Beautiful production, great song writing, and most importantly beautiful heart wrenching vocal delivery.  You can hear the emotions in his voice.  On this particular track, the production reminds me of Sade and Coury’s voice reminds me of a cross between Tracey Thorn and Imogen Heap — but a male version.  One of many things I love from this track is how Coury not only knows how to use his voice as an instrument, but knows how to use his voice like a synthesizer by layering up vocals to create great drama and atmosphere.  Something that only a few can do well like Imogen Heap, which puts Coury in great company.  Be on the look out for Coury Palermo in the coming year,  and keep an ear out this summer when Coury’s full length album is set to drop.

Coury Palermo – Someday

Also, visit his site (http://www.courypalermo.com/) and sign up for his mailing list for exclusives as well as FREE downloads.  Currently you can sign-up and get Courys’ cover of Eurythmic’s, “Here Comes The Rain Again”, which deservers your attention… trust me on this one.