Author Archives: Ayhan Sahin

Fourth Single: Come And Get Me Now

Posted by Ayhan Sahin on

Strongest Point(s):
Fantastic production elements throughout!  The instrumental work is deeply engaging, boasting a strong blend of electronic keys and organic horns along with deeply impactful bass and pleasantly gritty electric guitar work.  Ayhan’s vocal performance contributes wonderfully to the overall effect and feel of the track, making great use of soft, intimate deliveries and moments of all-out belting to express a wide range of emotional weight in a small lyrical space – though moments like the drop-out to bass solo at 4:02 – the end really allow the instrumental brilliance to shine through and drive the listening experience into immensely danceable territory!

Target Audience Appeal:
Fans of driving, dance-oriented beats and classic feels will find the marriage of the concepts to bear compelling fruit in Ayhan Sahin’s Come And Get Me Now (A2B Mix) – with the totality of the track producing a nostalgia-drenched but completely contemporary experience – expertly designed to move bodies through masterful musicianship and endlessly engaging vocals! – Jon W.

Artist target suggestions:
Electric Light Orchestra, Bee Gees, ABBA, 10cc, Traveling Wilburys, The Moody Blues, Jefferson Starship, Supertramp, The Alan Parsons Project, Talk Talk, Naked Eyes, Wang Chung, Bronski Beat, Spandau Ballet, Finger Eleven

About the Reviewer:Jon Wright is a trained multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator with nearly twenty years of experience in the field. Working with musicians and their individual sounds is his passion and profession, and he strives to interact with and understand every aspect of the production process – from theory and songwriting to recording and mastering. He continues to teach students of all ages and is currently collaborating with artists in a wide variety of genres.

Vocals:  Strength
Lyrics:  Strength
Instrumental Performance/Execution:  Strength
Melody/Rhythm:  Strength
Arrangement/Flow:  Strength
Recording Quality/Overall Mix:  Strength

My Twenty Years In NYC

Posted by Ayhan Sahin on

Twenty years ago today, I arrived to this country. I had plans, goals and dreams. I wanted to break free from construction sites and I wanted to make music. It was as simple as that. My goal was to write and have professionals sing my songs. My dream was to make my music sound as good as ABBA’s sound. New York was destined for me and I loved New York. It just reminded me of Istanbul, always vibrant, always dynamic and hectic. Through my college years at NYU, I learned what was possible and what was impossible in New York. Through the people I met and became friends with, anything proved to be possible. The things I stopped caring about were the only ones that became impossible. Through the time I collected opportunities, I learned how to give, I learned how to share. And I realized whatever I gave and shared came back to me exponentially in different forms and shapes. I loved it. That love made my heart grew larger. And when my heart was big, I realized I was fearless because the love around me protected my little fence. Being not afraid of anything anymore, I became adventurous trying one thing after the other bringing every bit of thought to life. The more I created the happier I became. My friends from college on Facebook said I looked much younger in my forties. I was only happy. They told me “whatever you are doing, keep doing it.”

I can’t believe twenty years after I’m  still doing my music and it’s still giving me happiness. Sometimes it’s redundant but mostly it is a proud moment when I finish a new song and listen to the master. Today when I am listening to our latest song “Come and Get Me Now” I see the signature of many who played significant parts in the story I was telling above like my sponsor, Tobbe & Marie, Gene & Steve and Chuck. It’s  not gonna be a list of  everyone I feel grateful to but the ones who filled these twenty years with weight, presence  and distinct personalities which turned into never ending friendships, relationships and partnerships like Bernadette, Emre, Donna, Al, Randy, Bo, Lauren, Lina, Larry, Tina, Patrick, Alex, Serap, Cynthia, Jeff, Janet, Karine, Tommy, Dennis. The people I love call me “a good soul” but in fact it is the good virtues I found and embraced from these New Yorkers that nurtured my soul. Thank you guys, I love you more than ever.

 

Producer & Songwriter Ayhan Sahin Releases New Single ‘Where Do You Want To Be Tomorrow’ from Award-Winning Album ‘Pop’

Posted by Ayhan Sahin on
Issued by indie label Young Pals Music, the joyous pop song promises a better tomorrow
To acknowledge the summer of 2018 , Young Pals Music has released the new single “Where Do You Want To Be Tomorrow.” This marks the ninth release accompanied by the music video from the upcoming album “Pop,” the first full-length namesake collection from New York City-based songwriter &producer Ayhan Sahin.
The joyous chug-along song (with lyrics by Frank Carrado) hints at the best of 70’s acoustic rock, with the insistent snap of percussion, a cascading fan of acoustic guitars, and a surprising injection of horns that help propel the infectious beat to toe-tapping bliss. Hearing “Where Do You Want To Be Tomorrow,” ELO’s Jeff Lynne would most certainly offer an affirming thumbs up.
The album “Pop” features 12+ diverse vocalists & musicians across a myriad of styles, including R&B & soul, dance, jazz, country and of course… pop. All songs are co-written and co-produced by Sahin with hit songwriter Bernadette O’Reilly, who has also worked for three decades in artist relations, management and song placement.

Among the songs released under “Pop” are Randy Jones’ dance club anthem, “Hard Times” that launched at No. 42, as the second-highest entry among five new songs on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, for the week of August 26, 2017 with Jones being the only member of the Village People to score a solo hit.

Previous single“Another Bad Mistake” featured lead vocals from beloved disco act Anita Ward, renowned for her seminal No. 1 “Ring My Bell,” which hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100, Disco, and Soul Singles charts in 1979.

The album “Pop” is the first namesake project for award-winning Turkish-born songwriter & producer Sahin. In April, he was awarded The Akademia Music Award for Best Rock Song for “Pop” single “Drink” as well as the best music video for “L.A. Nights.”

Meanwhile, he has achieved notoriety in a range of musical genres, from pop, rock and dance to musical theater, while working with Olivia Newton-John, Mexican superstar & Broadway actress Bianca Marroquín, Melba Moore, Phoebe Snow, Turkish superstars Sezen Aksu and Sertab Erener, Sandra Bernhard and five “American Idol” finalists. He has appeared on Telemundo, while his music has been featured on CNN, The Los Angeles Times, Playbill, MTV, Yahoo! Music and “The Wendy Williams Show”; and heralded by USA Today, New York magazine, MTV and The New York Daily News.

Veteran Recording Artist Jerri BoKeno Rekindles Holiday Jewel “This Christmas”

Posted by Ayhan Sahin on
 
Classic 1970 Donny Hathaway song released by Young Pals Music, 

featuring a host of renowned New York City musicians in new live recording






It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. Veteran recording artist Jerri BoKeno is rekindling the holiday jewel “This Christmas,” originally recorded in 1970 by renowned Grammy-winning soul singer Donny Hathaway. 
Released by New York City-based Young Pals Music Monday, December 17, to all major download and streaming sites, the song expresses the joy of the season, as BoKeno sings with glee: “Hang all the mistletoe, I’m gonna get to know you better, This Christmas/And as we trim the tree, How much fun it’s gonna be together this Christmas.”
The joyous anthem, written by Hathaway and Nadine Theresa McKinnor, has the distinction of being released twice, first on Atco Records in 1970. The song then became a holiday staple after being included in 1991 on Atco’s revised edition of a 1968 Soul Christmas compilation album. Since, it has since been covered by the likes of Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child, Chicago, Pentatonix and Mary J. Blige. ASCAP reports it as the 30th most-performed holiday song of all time.
The acclaimed BoKeno, meanwhile, has recorded, performed and written with a stellar group of artists, including John Lennon, Cher and Michael McDonald. She was signed to Phil Spector and recorded “Here It Comes And Here I Go Again” for his Spector International Label. The single was an international hit and featured on BBC’s Top Of The Pops.
Adding their talents to the new recording of “This Christmas” are a host of professional New York City-based musicians: live drums from Mike Sorrentino, bass and horn section from Carras Paton, classical guitars by Emre Yilmaz, acoustic and electric guitars by Gene Blank and piano from Tom Gallaher. Artwork photography for BoKeno’s release comes courtesy of renowned artist Matt Blodgett.
Ayhan Sahin, Young Pals Music founder & CEO, notes, “Talk about divine inspiration. My dear friend Bo recently took me out to dinner for my 50th birthday and we started talking about recording a Christmas song. She knew exactly what she wanted to cover—and within days we had assembled our dream team of musicians. We started recording on thanksgiving morning in a deserted Manhattan studio, and the rest of the production followed it in less than a week. It’s a classic song, but I am so pleased… this version sounds brand new.”
Adds BoKeno, “‘This Christmas’ is one of my most beloved Christmas songs… I love the fact that I not only had the opportunity to record one of my favorites, but also to give it a new twist, thanks to the amazing new arrangement with these musicians live in the studio. I am thrilled.”
For information, contact:

Susanne White
YoungPalsMusic.com







YOUNG PALS MUSIC

 

 

RANDY JONES – “Hard Times” Music Videos

Posted by Ayhan Sahin on

Music Video for “Hard Times” by Randy Jones (A2B / Epic Extended Disco Hustle Mix)

Randy Jones’ two separate music videos “Hard Times Remixes” was launched on September 15 with a glamorous party at Manhattan’s hot spot “Beautique” in midtown with more than 100 guests.

Music Video for “Hard Times” by Randy Jones (Mark Saunders / A Night at 54 Disco Mix)

In June 2017, Young Pals Music released “Hard Times,” the first single from Randy Jones’ upcoming full-length album, Still Makin’ Noise. The single reached #42 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and was the first chart placement from any member of the Village People as a solo artist.

Photo album for Randy Jones’ launch event on September 15 with soundtrack of  “Hard Times” by Randy Jones (DJ Drew G /  Bigger Room Mix)

The Village People’s Iconic Cowboy Randy Jones Returns To The Billboard Top 40 With Solo Smash “Hard Times”

Posted by Ayhan Sahin on

Dance Club hit aligns with 40th anniversary celebration of The Village People, including beloved hits “YMCA,” “Macho Man” and “In the Navy.” With “Hard Times” success, Jones is the only group member to achieve a solo hit.

Let the hard times roll! In the midst of the 40th anniversary celebration of the iconic Village People’s chart-topping music career—including global smashes “YMCA,” “Macho Man” and “In the Navy”—the group’s beloved cowboy, Randy Jones, is keeping the fire burning. His solo single “Hard Times” is a top 40 hit on Billboard’s Top Dance Club Play chart.

a2d1b-randyjonesremixesThe dance club anthem, released by New York City-based Young Pals Music, includes an original studio version and eight re-rubs from renowned music mixologists Mark Saunders, Eric Kupper, Tim Cox, Date Night (f/Brannew), A2B (f/Emre Yilmaz), DJ Drew G, Onur Koc, and Peacemode. A 10-track single was released to all major digital outlets in July.

“Hard Times” launched at No. 42, as the second-highest entry among five new songs on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, for the week of August 26, 2017. Adding to the achievement, Jones is the only member of the Village People to score a solo hit.

With Jones’ vocal machismo guiding the joyous uptempo fanfare, “Hard Times” is driven by a flourish of acoustic guitars, pounding percussion and a chorus of angelic voices, alongside an empowering message that tough times may come and go, but with the will to win, you can always land “on the right line.”

Amid Jones’ own five-decade career, the renowned vocalist, film star, philanthropist—and all-round nice guy—has helped sell 100 million singles/albums and fostered a quarter billion views on YouTube, thanks to the Village People’s beloved catalog of disco songs. Add to that 75 Gold and Platinum record certificates, the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine and a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, alongside a co-starring role in the 1980 musical comedy film “Can’t Stop the Music,” directed by Nancy Walker—and also starring (then) Bruce Jenner.

Continuing a career as an actor, singer and dancer, he has also released a number of solo CDs, including most recently, “Ticket to the World,” “Your Disco Needs You!” and in 2016, “Mister Right.” In 2018, he is slated to release a new full-length project, tentatively titled “Still Making Noise.”

 

RANDY JONES DEBUTS AT BILLBOARD CHARTS

Posted by Ayhan Sahin on

 

 

40 years after The Village People enters Billboard Charts, the group’s iconic cowboy Randy Jones debuts on Billboard charts with his “Hard Times Remixes” written by Jones, Bernadette O’Reilly and Ayhan Sahin with no less than eight club remixes from renowned producers such as Eric Kupper, Drew G., Mark Saunders, Tim Cox, and more.

Jones says: “It’s so good to be back in the game… oh, no wait, I never stopped playing the game,” Jones told Music Industry News Network. “Seriously, keeping my voice out there and persistently being able to perform is not only great fun, but it is a testament to those fans who have stayed strong with a cause that is so much greater than anything I could ever do. I’m proud to still be doing what I love to do… every damn week!”

 

GET YOUR CD NOW AT YoungPalsMusic.com

 

The Village People’s Iconic Cowboy Randy Jones Sets Summer On Fire With A Cascade of Remixes for Single ‘Hard Times’

Posted by Ayhan Sahin on
Released by Young Pals Music, Jones follows the release of his successful single “Hard Times” with no less than eight club remixes from renowned producers and  D.J.s like Mark Saunders, Erik Kupper, Drew G, Tim Cox and more.
 
If it takes a “Village,” then Randy Jones is ready to rope in the masses for the summer of 2017. The renowned vocalist, film star, philanthropist, all-round nice guy—oh, and the beloved cowboy from American Music Award-winning The Village People—follows the release of his successful single “Hard Times” with no less than eight club remixes from Mark Saunders, Erik Kupper, Drew G, Tim Cox and more.

Randy Jones’ 2017 single “Hard Times” from Young Pals Music offers an empowering message that tough times may come and go, but with the will to win, you can always land “on the right line.” 

Jones not only remains a fixture among New York City’s entertainment illuminati, but he is a gifted solo artist. Collaborating with songwriter/producers Ayhan Sahin and Bernadette O’Reilly, Jones brings his vocal machismo to the joyous uptempo fanfare, driven by the track’s flourish of acoustic guitars, pounding percussion and a chorus of angelic voices. 
As a reminder, amid a four-decade career, Jones helped sell 100 million singles/albums and fostered a quarter billion views on YouTube, thanks to “Macho Man,” “In the Navy,” “Go West” and “YMCA.” Add to that the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine and a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, alongside a co-starring role in the 1980 musical comedy film “Can’t Stop the Music,” directed by Nancy Walker—and also starring (then) Bruce Jenner.
“It’s so good to be back in the game… oh, no wait, I never stopped playing the game,” Jones jokes. “Seriously, keeping my voice out there and persistently being able to perform is not only great fun, but it is a testament to those fans who have stayed strong with a cause that is so much greater than anything I could ever do. I’m proud to still be doing what I love to do… every damn week!”
Adds producer and co-songwriter Sahin, “Having Randy Jones coming full force for ‘Hard Times’ has been crazy fun. Then, adding these incredibly talented remixers to the project raises the bar all the more. I can’t wait to hear Randy across clubs all summer.”

 

Indeed, “Hard Times” arrives at the ideal time. The Village People are celebrating  their 40th anniversary since “Macho Man” became the group’s first U.S. top 40 hit. That, of course, was followed by the beloved “Y.M.C.A.,” “In the Navy” and countless dance hits. Add to that the 40th anniversary of “Saturday Night Fever,” whose soundtrack ultimately sold 15 million copies. Disco resurgence, anyone?