HITMAN RECORDS

We have devoted this page to reviews of product from Hitman Records, California and New York

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The following three albums are heartily recommended

Jamie Sparks - Unforgettable

Jamie hails from Canada and this is his second album. He writes all his music and also produced the album.

'Unforgettable' is a beautiful melodic modern soul groover.

'Fun Tonight' is more R'n'B but the smooth vocal eases over the rap. 'Tender Love' is a slow ballad. 'Be right there' gets a bit funkier with the vocals more prominent exposing a harder edge.

'Are we' brings in a girl 'answer' chorus and a different writing style but a nice groove.

'Everything to me' - I like the title track but I think that this is my favourite - a track that would go down well in the UK. 'All that matters' & 'You' are two more ballads, the latter reminding me of Musiq Soulchild in delivery. 'Everybody Get up' is more uptempo and could be quite commercial with a 'hook -y' chorus.

'Next to me' is in a funky groove, and 'Near my heart' brings down the pace once more. 'What do you do' closes the album with a strong ballad. Then there is a remix of 'Unforgettable' which is harder than the initial version but doesn't really add too much.

One minor point is that on a number of tracks the synth in the background grates and irritates me.

All in all a great album enhancing the writing and performing skills and it will not belong before Jamie breaks mainstream.

Aaron K Gray - Body Rain

This is a very good debut album in a mellow R'n'B Latin Groove.

The title track 'Body Rain' is cool and sensual, followed by 'The Spot' in a similar vein. Aaron possesses a fine voice and it is well suited to this kind of cool R'n'B.

'Keys to my heart' extends his range even further before 'Secret Crush' picks up the tempo.

A couple more good ballads before we hit a hard dance number in 'Aaron's House' showing the versatility.

'My new pain' is a beautiful ballad which brings the vocal more to the full and you can fully appreciate it - probably the best track on the album but less commercial because it has less of an R'n'B feel to it.

'Suave' is the first track with a Latin beat. 'Louder than life' is a difficult style altogether, difficult to describe and well worth a listen - the vocals a bit Stevie on this one.

'Gospel Comedy' is exactly that - a fun track.

'Aaron's House ( Latin Mix)' concludes with a long Latin Dance Beat.

An album of soul, r'n'b, dance and latin - a versatile, pleasurable and excellent album.

Devier - You're my everything

'Devier began his performing career at the tender age of four when his family began to take note of his natural talent. A multi-talented artist, Devier not only sings, but also produces and writes his own material. He appeals to many audiences with his hip-hop flair combined with his rhthym & blues and jazz roots. He has performed with groups such as "The Dramatics", "Toni Tony Toné", "Gap Band", and opened for Keith Washington. He also had his first hit single released and aired on 46 radio stations across the country. His talent has been recognized by such publications as Billboard Magazine and The Gavin Report.

The new album by Devier is now available. Don't miss it!'

The above words are from the label but this is a quality mellow Soul/R'n,B album.

'I know the way you make me feel' is an old style soul ballad with an old style monologue rap whereas 'This is how we roll'? contains nu style R'n'B rap and a higher tempo. A fine contrast.

'Just a little love' is midtempo soul of the highest order which I am sure will get played in the UK.

'Keep me warm' is tempo down and soul up, super slow and deep.

'Wearing nothing but your watch' is a short almost gospel accapella refrain.

'Always' is another quality ballad. 'If you want to let it go' again is slow and deep.

'Black Rain' changes style in delivery and lyrical content with hip hop rap.

'Now ain't that just like a lady ' is sexy soul in a bedroom stylee!

I liked this album more than a lot containing lots of Soul and one of the best I've heard in a long while.

Mr Skrilla - Baller Status

Different from the above albums this is hard hitting Hip Hop/ R'n'B with a Latin tinge. That said it still a very good album.

The tracks are:-

Booyah - Here it is -Mis Camaradas -

Rida's & Balla's - This is the kind of slow style R'n'B that I like.

Whoop de whoop -Twisted G Sh!# - Who's the best

20 Dime Bags -Ghetto Raw -Do whatcha gotta do - Work that Jelly

Who Dat is - another top track

Automatic -Skrillanati -

U remind me - track of the album, mellow and commercial with mellow R'n'B chorus

It's your life - another track at the commercial end which in my view could go mainstream

This is a well rounded Hip hop album containing many different styles within the genre, and certainly ranks above a lot of the mainstream stuff around.