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John Legend - Ordinary People Jennifer Lopez- Hold you down Destiny’s Child - Girl Destiny’s Child - Soldier Xzibit – Hey Now (mean muggin’) Michael Jackson - Cheater Lil Flip - Sunshine John Legend – Used to love u Destinys Child – Lose my breath Jill Scott – Bedda at Home/ Family
Reunion Lyfe – Pick up kid Prince – Cinnamon Girl Nas – Thiefs theme Jagged Edge – What’s it like - B2K Badaboom - Epic Walked Outta Heaven - Jagged Edge - Columbia One More Chance - Michael Jackson - Epic Beyonce
ft Missy Elliott, MC Lyte & Free
- Fighting Temptation -
Columbia Beyonce ft Sean Paul - Columbia Sugar Daddy - Sweet Soca Music Walkerman - Listen to Mama -
Illustrious DJ Kayslay ft Nas, Baby, Foxy Brown,
Amerie - Too much to me - Columbia JD aka Dready - Signal - So Solid Beats B2K - Girlfriend - Epic Macy Gray - When I see you - Epic Aaliyah - Don't know what to tell you
- Independiente Lisa Maffia - All Over - Independiente Jennifer Lopez ft LL Cool J - All I
have - Epic Sarah Connor - He's Unbelievable - Epic Kelly Rowland - Stole - Columbia Wyclef - Pussycat (Remix) - Columbia Will Smith - 1000 Kisses - Columbia Jennifer Lopez - Jenny on the Block - Epic |
Jamiroquai – Feels just like it should Jennifer Lopez – get Right Jamie scott - searching Lemar – If theres any justice 411 - Teardrops Nas – Bridgimg the Gap Lil Flip – Sunshine The 411 - Dumb ATL – Make it up with love Cypress Hill – Latin Thugs/Till death
us do part The 411 –
On My Knees Demon ft
Awa & Mr Vegas – In the Park Big Brovaz
– We wanna thank you Dead Prez – Hell yeah – Columbia Beyonce – Naughty Girl Lemar Another Day Bow
Wow Lets get down Big
Brovaz Ain't what you do Sony MusicUK Lemar - 50/50 - JD aka Dready Jelly in your trunk Nasir Jones Get Down/Nas Angels -The Flyest Big Brovaz Baby Boy Lisa Maffia In Love
Independiente Tommi - Like What Kelly Rowland Can't Nobody - Columbia Killer Mike A.D.I.D.A.S ft Big Boi - Columbia Macy Gray (ft Pharoahe Monche) It ain't the money - Epic B2K ft P Diddy - Bump bump - Epic Kelly Rowland - Stole - Columbia - Additional Mixes Rhianna - I love every little thing about you - s2 Khia - My Neck My Back Lick it Vivian Green - Emotional Rollercoaster- Columbia Xzibit - Multiply - Columbia Amerie - Why don't we fall in love |
Lemar – Time to
grow Jill Scott –
Whatever Nas –Just a moment Xzibit –
Muthaf*cka Big Brovaz – Yours
fatally Khia – My neck my back The 411 - Dumb Jill Scott - Golden ATL – Make it up with love Sarah Conner – He’s Unbelieveable Jamie Scott - Just Jody Lei – Just the Music Prince - Musicology ATL – Calling all girls Sarah Connor - Bounce Cypress Hill – Whats your number Jennifer Lopez Baby
I Love you - Beyonce Me Myself and I Lisa Maffia Women
of the world - Independiente Kindred the Family Soul
Far Away Hidden Beach B2K Uh Huh
(Ron G Remix) Lemar Dance (with
U) Beyonce ft JayZ
Crazy in Love - Columbia Jennifer Lopez I'm
Glad Ginuwine ft Baby
Hell yeah - Epic Big Brovaz
Favourite Things - Epic Amerie I'm Coming
Out - Columbia Nasir Jones I can Amerie - Talkin To Me Big Brovaz - OK -
Epic Nas - Made you Look
- Columbia 3LW ft Lil Wayne -
Neva get enuf -Epic Big
Brovaz - Nu Flow - Epic |
Jamiroquai – Feels just
like it should
Out June 6 from Dynamite album to be
released on June 20, almost 4 years from the last album two mixes, tha album version
and a Mark Ronson. Bizarrely the baseline is a vocoded vocal against a hard
groove and funky beat. Lots going on in formation and at first I didn’t go for
it but I have to say it is growing on me.
John Legend - Ordinary
People
Release date June 16, apparently John’s
favourite cut form the album, and was certainly mashing up the US when I was
there recently. The johnny Douglas
remix is the one, the one that will enable this track to hit the UK soul room
dancefloors, the album track is fine but it is much more of a ballad, and the
johnny D mix just wakes it and lifts it up a notch. The heavy metal mix, though not as heavy as the title
suggests is theone to miss. Great
stuff.
Jennifer Lopez- Hold
you down
Featuring Fat Joe and released on May
16. produced by Cory Rooney following
the No 1 single get right. It is
the second single from the album Rebirth.
Mellow easy midtempo harmless OK
Destiny’s Child –
Girl
Next single form destiny’s, released
April 25 2005. from the platinum
album. A girl Power kind of song,
very messy and uninspiring.
Kardinal beats Remix is equally messy.
Lemar – Time to grow
Onwards and upwards for Lemar this time scoring with an excellent
ballad. Soulful, catchy,
commercial but good. Yet again
though the Kardinal Beats cut fails to make this a credible club mix, not sure
there’s any need to do that anyway (though bizarrely the instrumenatal does
contain some nice old skool beats that are lost on the main mix). The 5AM slow
jam mix is far better in my view.
Extensive tour coming up
which doubtless will be a sell out everywhere and good to see.
Jill Scott – Whatever
Current US single, featuring (promo only) remixes from The Co –
Stars, Notes and Duke and Dantanna. The Co Stars mix features Jamal and somehow
kind of emphasises the ‘neo-ness’ of the track, stripped down , good beats.
Notes features Fresh, again fairly sparse and my prefered miss because the
vocals are well upfront. Duke
features Tedeese. Actualy none of
the mixes add too much particularly to the album cut, they’re all OK but I don’t
see that they fit a UK market.
Nas –Just a moment/ No one else in the room
Out March 21, featuring diverse tracks from Street Disciple. No one else is notable for the fact
that it features Maxwell on his first outing for 4 years and his first collaboration
with a rapper.
Just a moment features Quan who raps and sings the hook, which
grabs ya’. This is a great track,
mellow rapping, infectious hook, laid back beats. My kind of hip hop.
Two great sides.
John Legend – Used to love
u
Put this one back to the top as it has
at last got a release and various mixes now on show. Mixes by Yan Who? Feat
Little Rico, Sam Frank Club and Lounge remixes. Still love the track but the mixes don’t do an awful lot for
me. Yam Who? Being the best.
No press release with this so
short on detail re release and stuff.
However this is great, soulful, and the way we need to be headed (in my
view). Hearing good things about
John Legend so look out for this and more. Excellent.
Jennifer Lopez – get
Right
A record guaranteed to irritate, the
horn or whatever just drives you mad.
Otherwise formulaic and uninspiring, with or without Fabulous.
Destiny’s Child – Soldier
Street date is currently 7 Feb
05, from the album, now Platinum, Destiny Fulfiled featuring guest rappers TI
and Lil Wayne. Heavy beats, sassy,
but they’re not doing it for me right now.
Xzibit – Hey Now (mean
muggin’)
Coming at ya in Jan 05, from
the album Weapons of mass destruction, which is good (more to follow on the
artist section), but this ain’t in my view. Very formulaic, produced by Timbaland and featuring vocals of
Keri Hilson. Already playlisted so
will blow in the clubs over Christmas and New Year.
Jamie scott –
searching
Released on 10 january, also touring
extensivley in the Uk in november and december 2004. Not really been feeling him thus far but I do like this,
especially the Stepers Mix, so we’re picking up on the R Kelly, Chiacago scene
but it works on this one. The
other mix is a bit messy.
Michael Jackson – Cheater
From the Ultimate collection
released on 15 November, a 5 disc display book box with 4 albums, 13 unissued
recordings and a DVD. Cheater is
Ok really, typical Micahel material.
Whether it has sufficient added ingredient to make it current now is
difficult to see – it’s Michael Jackson nd it’s not particularly fresh. Maybe in an attempt to be more current
is an R Kelly remix of One More Chance, which again is OK but nothing more.
Lemar – If theres
any justice
Released on 15 November, produced by
Brian Rawling, arranged by Brian Hey (Earth Wind and Fire, Michael
Jackson). Mixes by Ron G, Kardinal
Beats, Cutfather & Joe, 5AM and First Man.
An excellent strained and soulful vocal
performance over a strong backing track as you’d expect from Brian Hey. The First Man mix is tops. Ron G and Cutmaster not much to choose.
Nice set of mixes concludes with 5Am but Kardinal Beats I find myself nott a
fan of and this does little to change my mind.
First track from the album Time to Grow,
out of 29th November. How to follow a double platinum I don’t know,
but this ain’t a bad start.
Xzibit – Muthaf*cka
Again devoid of press release so when out not
sure, but this is a US promo so it will be a while I guess (as at 9
October). The killa cut from the new
album Weapons of Mass destruction.
Sure to cause a ruckus.
Play it twice, first time you’ll think whats new in here, second time
you’ll get it all.
411 – Teardrops
Released on November 15, third
single. Not as strong in my
view. Beefed up by Kardinal Beats
but not sufficient to save it.
Mixes by 5AM, Shux and also a version featuring Ying Yang Twins, radio
mix is still about the best.
From album Between the Sheets released
22 November.
Lil Flip – Sunshine
Released 18 October and this
will kick up a storm, featuring Lea on vocals. Great hook, good rap. Remixes by Night and Day and King
Pin. This has all the ingrediets
to be huge, Difficult to choose on
the mixes but as per usual I’d plump for thhe stripped down one Night and Day
Destinys Chld – Lose my
breath
Released November 1 from album
Destiny Fulfilled. Such a shame
this, I was quite loking forward to this, I liked some of th eold, I liked some
of the parts, Kelly and Michelle particularly, so I thought especially with a
general trend towards the soul side we might get something good. However this is standard fare, at the
Beyonce end, which for me wasthe worst of the three individual parts. Could’ve been so much better.
Nas – Bridgimg
the Gap, Mississippi Jones.
Released 15 Nivember featuring his father Olu
Dara and taken from forthcoming album Streets Disciple, This is incredibly
different reaching right down to Blues roots. The Blues riff/sample is pretty standard but the merging of
the two styles does work. we get a merging and at the same time a clash of old
young, father son, blues hiphop, rich poor, basic detail, rural urban. Very
nice indeed.
Big Brovaz – Yours fatally
Released 20 september 2004 from the forthcoming
second album. The sound is more
refined after establishing themselves big time after the first release.. original Mix, Brimstone and Fire and
Ghetto Dwellaz giving varying degrees of hardness. Essentially however it is as you might expect very pop, and
they have gone too far in that direction for my liking despite initially
sounding OK. Have to say I expect better as to me they have lost it. Mixwise there is a Ron G and a house
mix by Sir Piers Curious Main Boogie,
Khia – My neck my back
Release date 27 September and just one question and that is why?
Kardinal Beats seem to more than gainfully employed – see for example reviews
under – but rarely do they do sufficient for me. Complete waste of time.
The 411 –
Dumb – to come
Released 23
aUGUST, follow up to top 5 single, written by the girls in an attempt to
follow, or to stylise,, on the likes of TLC or Destiny’s. Heap of remixes Ron G, Cool Kid,
Freekz, original and Kardinal.
None of them go anywhere for me as the whole thing is too weak, this
will simply get carried due to exposure on a Lux advertisement with Sarah
Jessica Parker.
Jill Scott
– Golden – www.hiddenbeach.com www.jillscott.com www.Beautifullyhuman.com
Out 25
October - I have been so looking
forward to the new Jill Scott as has everbody I know. Yet thinking about it I was never that keen on earlier
releases. There was something about
the format of the songs, the complex nature of the storytelling that I couldn’t
get into. However pretty much
everything I’ve heard on the new project I can feel and feel strongly and this
cut is no exception – all the hallmarks of Jill Scott and more (actually less
in a strange sort of way and it benefits from that little bit more simplicity). West Coast and east Coast mixes and
it’s East Coast for me! Excellent.
Release now
delayed to October 25 and the mixes are coming in. Neon Heights, East Coast and West Coast. Great tune, not much to choose between
East and West so plump for the superb Neon Heights.
ATL – Make it up with love –
Released August 16 and follow up to Top 20 hit Calling all
girls. Meaty upbeat sound and
pretty good vocals and catchy chorus.
Faster pace than a lot of R’n’B stuff, which is taken to the fore on a
near 10 minute Sir Piers Curious mix. Kardinal Beats on the Radio Mixwhich is
slowed down to a more accessible pace for the R’n’B crowd. I kind of amd want
to like this, but it’s an almost cut, something, that final magic ingredient
(whatever) is missing. Nearly but
better than a whole heap out there.
Sarah Conner – He’s Unbelieveable
Released August 30 2004 – I don’t know the in’s and outs
of this but this ha been around in various shapes and forms for ages – there is
a review way down below for example. Can’t see really why it should be
persevered with. Two extra mixes here D Bop and Ced Solo. Neither do anything
because the underlyong song is just week or sickenly commercial.
Jill Scott – Bedda at Home
Great to see Jill back at last and the eagerly awaited album
will be soon with us August 30 in fact – Beautifully Human – Words and Sounds
Vol 2. The first single apparently
will be Golden.
Lazy but heavy beats and great melody, and superb piano
throughout on Bedda. Jill’s vocal
is as strong as ever. I have to
say that I have a massive admiration and appreciation of Jill Scott but she
hasn’t really knocked me out in the way that Badu and Angie have. I put it down
to the fact that the lyrics wre overly complicated or storyline, or differently
structured, something anyway that I didn’t quite get. This however to me is much better. Great stuff
Family Reunion too with it’s summer breeze strings evokes
feelings of summer and happiness.
2004’s theme for a Summer’s Place!
Beautiful.
Jamie
Scott – Just
Debut single released
August 23. Sony are looking for
big things here. My album review
reserved judgement but the mixes here on this track are slowly winning me over. We have a Highlighters Remix, feel
Good, Kardinal Beats and Album version.
Catchy little number that will win fan’s from many departments, and I
particularly like the Feel Good mix.
It merges the lead vocals, the harmonies and a strongish beat perfectly.
Doesn’t quite go with the harder R’n’B of Kardinal, although I appreciate the
reasons for doing it.
Lil Flip –
Sunshine
Released
August 30, debut UK single from U Gotta feel me, and album that has been
enormous in the US. This track
features the vocals of Ann Marie, and togther they come up with a huge, slow,
heavy Summer Vibe. Expect this to go
The 411 – Dumb
Release August 23 as follow up to On My knees. This track features on a
Lux advert so will be huge.
However not as good for me it too jumpy and twee. The Kardinal mix beefs it up a bit but
still doesn’t really hit home.
Lyfe – Pick up kid - Columbia
Don’t know the specific details on this one as I didn’t
get the Press release. Shame
because I really like this a lot.
Dirge slow beats, bit of a Jaheim feel to it. Explicit or clean versions. Excellent.
ATL – Make it up with love
Released 2 August 2004, following up the successful debut single Calling
All girls. An ode to love gone
wrong includes excellent vocals. Remixed by Kardinal Beats giving it a harder
dancefloor edge. Personally I
prefer to stick with the album version as it is more soulful.
Prince – Cinnamon Girl/ Musicology
I do like Prince, pretty much everything including this the new single
from Musicology, despite it’s leanings towards rock. A thought provoking song about war. This is released on 28 June 2004. the awesome funky Musicology is on the
reverse. Excellent.
Nas – Thiefs theme
From the forthcoming
new Summer Double Album – Streets Disciple this cut bursts onto the scene,
sounding typically like a theme and in a typical Nas sinister them, bassline
sounds like something like Sunshine of your love from a 60’s beat band. Ok but need to hear it in context.
Cypress
Hill – Latin Thugs/Till death us do part
The title
track and the signature tune.
Which do you choose from I don’t know. Two killer cuts, a mellow tale of brotherhood with menacing
organ and harmonies, or the upbeat latino Hip Hop with Brazilian Horns. Take your pick, take your mood and
enjoy. Excellent stuff.
Jody Lei – Just the Music
Released June 7 2004, Jody Lei is back with a
new single, Feisty South African
born singer takes on all comers with this fast paced , butt shaking party
track. Accompanying video is cut
in Rio de Janeiro. The upbeat feel
reflects Jody’s vibrant and energetic personality, recorded in New York with
Ron Browse (Nas) and co written with Teron Beal and Kara Diguardi. The Scatta mix is the one going to hit
the clubs, summer is here so I guess it may go.
Jagged
Edge – What’s it like
Released on
31 May from the album Hard. Hard
being their biggest selling album to date. This track with heartfelt lyrics features features Jermaine
Dupri on the lead ReMarquable Mix, containing rich. Also the album mix,
harmonies and lush strings.
Preferable for me is the album mix as it shows off the excellent vocals
much better and I’d like to think that this is the direction new R’n’B is
heading.
Prince –
Musicology – Columbia
Released 26
April , and first single from the album of the same name and Prince is back if
this is anything to go by. Prince
of old funky and fresh, unmistakeable Prince and cutting an Old Skool Groove
and maybe there’s a place out there again for this type of thing – I certainly
hope so.
ATL –
Calling all girls
Released 10
May, Sony’s hottest new signing from Atlanta comprising Tre, Danger, Will and
L-Rock. Debut single written by R
Kelly- actually it’s got R Kelly stamped all over it. Taken from the debut
album ATL Project out on May 24.
Three singers and a rapper, brainchild of Ryan Glover CEO of Noontime a
fusion of R’n’B and Hip hop. Nice
vibe and I expect big things from this outfit. Remix features TI and Jazze Pha.
Sarah
Connor – Bounce
May 24
release for the first single from the forthcoming album Sarah Connor. Edgy funky bass line, catchy
chorus. Mixes by Coole and Dre and
Jiggy Joint. Sorry but I don’t see why with so much good material on the label
it bothers with this, far too lightweight to be classed Urban. Not saved by the remixes either.
The 411 –
On My Knees
Released on May 10 2004, 411 are a new
UK four piece girl group with a unique mix of flavas old and new urban and pop
with looks to kill. Carolyn, Suzie Tanya & Tisha.
Spoken lazy
verses with a hip hop production and guest rap by Wu Tangs Ghostface
Killah. Co written by the group
and produced by Fitzgerald Scott and Kookie. Very atmospheric and very nice indeed. The radio flip has the lead vocals more
upfront over a tinkly piano.
Remixes by
Kardinal Beats & Blacksmith.
Cypress Hill – Whats your number
Released 15 March, the first single from the
eagerly awaited album Till death do us part, released on 22 March. A hip hop
ode to the Clash incorporating musical elements performed by a live band
featuring Rancid’s Tim Armstrong on guitar of Guns of Brixton. Nice feel to this inna typical Cypress fashion
and good to see them back. The
album should be worth waiting for.
Demon ft
Awa & Mr Vegas – In the Park
Originally a
big hit on Sony France and released April 19 from French producer Demon. Awa sings over a thick urban beat with
an electronic edge, Vegas adds the ragga vocals. Awa is in fact a Swedish R’n’B singer who has found
commercial success in her native country.
This cut is already making its mark, already getting plays in the Dance
fraternity as well as the urban marketplace.
Big Brovaz
– We wanna thank you –
Released 5
April 2004 and from the soundtrack of Scooby Doo 2 movie, and made especially
for the film. A funky track with a
hook straight outta Sly Stone – thank you falettin me be mice elf again - laced
with an electric guitar riff and rapping by the boys – Jay Roc Randy & Flawless
– and harmonies by the ladies – Cherise, Dion & Nadia.
Remixes by
Sam Sneed & Kardinal Beatz.
Must say that this is much better than much of
the other recent stuff – the Sam Sneed mix for me but the heavy beat on the
Kardinals is pretty good in a pounding kind of way.
Dead Prez – Hell yeah – Columbia
Dead
Prez will
be releasing their new album "RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta"
on March 29th. The single will be "Hell yeah". Hell Yeah
features normal edits and the aside contains the Pimp the System cuts. It’s the Pimp mixes for me as they are
devoid of the heavy guitar breaks which my ears just don’t register. With that
cut out or at least reduced to the background this is a pretty fine cut. Sufficiently different from the
mainstream to feel fresh
Dead Prez are the radical Stic.man and
M-1. And their last album 'Lets Get Free' sold over 25,000 in the UK.
On 'RBG ; Revolutionary but Gangsta'
they continue to mix their fire brand politics and cutting edge hip hop Dead
Prez not only have the blueprint revolution but also the rhymes , you have been
warned...
Dead prez will be in the UK in February
for promo and gigs.
Beyonce –
Naughty Girl
Released on March 22, Beyonce is fast
becoming one of the hottest things in the world today, picking up awards left
right and centre. New single
features a remix featuring Lil Flip, and a Calderone Quaye Club Mix. Stoccato and jumpy R’n’B beat with the
Love to love you sample. Doubtless
there will be a suitably sexy video and I am probably the only one in the world
that just doesn’t get it. Give me
Kelly or Michelle every time. The club mix sits too heavily on the sample
making it some kind of disco pastiche rather than anything too current or
innovative.
B2K - Badaboom - Epic
Released March 8 2004 and from the movie
‘you got served’. A dancefloor packer featuring Fabulos. Aside from
the original mix there is a Superstarmix, a Hood Mix and a couple of obligatory
instrumental mixes. Not much to choose between the mixes to be honest,
Superstar is just about the hardest. All the right ingredients for
the club, from the beats, the claps, the chorus, the groove, all pretty
formulaic, and on top of the already released album and the film this is gonna
be one big tune.
Jennifer Lopez Baby I Love you
Released on March 8 2004, and hot on
the heels of the DVD release The Reel Me. This is the fourth single from
This is me..then. Two mixes, the album mix and the in demand R Kelly
Remix.
A nice enough easy going commercial cut
that comes alive on the remix
Lemar Another
Day
Released
Feb 23 2004.
Already
two successful singles and a Platinum album Lemar certainly has been a success.
Another Day was produced by Brian Rawling. There are mixes by Blacksmith
featuring Jahzell and 5AM . This is a great track, a very easy groove, a soul
groove. I hope that the rap, albeit small, does not contribute to it not being
played in the soul rooms. Again Blacksmith do it again, a very smooth mix. 5AM
is more R'n'B, but dead slow, nice mix but I prefer Blacksmith. The radio edit is too mellow with not enough
bite but will get Lemar into the bigger audience that a soul ballad gives.
Also
an unreleased track I need a girl co written by Lemar, Kardinal Beats from
London and Atlanta's Fitzgerald Scott.
Walked Outta Heaven - Jagged Edge - Columbia
Released 9 February
On
13 October 2003 Jagged Edge released their 4th studio album. This
track is the first single and has already charted in the US. Released on 9
February 2004. This new single is a hot stepping cut with a 70's funk flavour
and will set dancefloors alight. This is excellent and shows how soulful
current stuff can be. In addition to the Majiq Radio edit remix there are mixes
by New York's D Moves and Too Hot, plus the album version of course.
For
me the mellower soulful mix by Too Hot does it for me. The urban D Moves mix
with Baby D is beauty and so stripped down rendering the excellent vocals
secondary which is a shame. All in all great stuff and we're starting to get
some soulful material charting so let's hope this one follows.
Beyonce - Me Myself and I
Released
on January 5 2004, the latest single from the global smash album Dangerously in
Love. This features an eastern Delight Mix, a Grizzly Mix and the album version.
Beyonce
is on the crest of superstardom right now but I'm sorry to say that I cannot
see it. I don't feel that the product is strong or anywhere near the best of
the genre. I do hope that once she reaches the point whereby she can see and
select stronger more soulful material, maybe a la Alicia Keyes, then her talent
will come through more, more so than the pandering to the styles of the day.
The
grizzly mix here is quite good, the electronic bit at first grates but the
stripped bare effect actually works, to give a more vocal dominated cut.
Panjabi MC's mix doesn't add to much other than the in vogue Eastern beats. The
album version actually is quite strong. I would stick with the album.
Bow Wow - Lets get down - Columbia
Released
on November 24, delayed release i believe. New single from the Unleashed album,
that is already gold status in the US. This features Baby and is produced by
Jazze Pha. A dancefloor bass heavy club tune. Hits big over a loud system but
in the cold light of day is a bit messy, a bit too stop start, could be
stripped down to let the comentary peal away from the hook and the chorus and
the beats which are all laid a bit too on top of each other.
One More Chance - Michael Jackson -
Epic
Released 24 November
2003, penned by R Kelly. Released on CD and 12" picture disc, taken from a
fortyhcoming album Number Ones which will feature 18 of Michael's hits
including Thriller, Billie Jean and Beat it.
Alternative mixes of
this by Paul Oakenfold, Metrophonic (Brian Rawling) and Ron G. This actually is
quite pleasant and quite good with Michael return to a ballad, and very much
enhanced by R Kelly. Paul's mix is quite 'straight' Metrophonics is slightly
heavier with more beat and echo and vocals more upfront. Catchy hook and I tink
this one could go, especially with Christmas just around the corner, and I sense
just a little bit more longevity (for a good song at least) around right now.
Lisa Maffia Women of the world
Independiente
Released December
8 Currently riding high having
just secured best Garage acts at the recent MOBO awards, and touring with Christina
Aguilera. An electric funk anthem from the debut album First Lady, with crowd
chanted chorus, a rally cry for womanhood. Two remixes in addition to the album
version, the Scatta Mix featuring Lady saw and the Cream cartel Mix. The later
mix, slightly paced up and more dancefloor and featuring So Solid protege Thug
Angel
Big Brovaz Ain't what you do
Sony MusicUK
Release Date December 1
Taken from the now
platinum album Nu Flow, following hot on the heels of the other hits. Remixed
by Trackboyz, and further remixes expected. Sorry but after showing loads of
promise even a hot remix won't do this any good. One for the Christmas parties
I suppose. Sorry but the track s also not salvaged by the rmixes
Beyonce ft Missy Elliott, MC Lyte &
Free Fighting Temptation Columbia
From the soundtrack
to Fighting Temptation which stars Cuba Gooding Jnr and Beyonce. It is a comedy
about a struggling New York advertising executive who travels to a small
southern town to cash in on an inheritance, but finds he must create a gospel
choir and lead it to success before he can collect.
The soundtrack
features Hip Hop, R'n'B and gospel tracks including Beyonce, Missy Elliott,
Destiny's Child, Angie Stone, Faith Evans, P Diddy, Melba Moore, , O'JAys, Ann Nesby
and Shirley Caesar.
This cut is one of
those up beat choral, dancing in the streets, get together's. You can see the
video before seeing the video! Kind of ladies united, will be carried by the
film, is Ok but nothing very inspiring.
Kindred the Family Soul Far Away Hidden Beach
Released 24 November
The lead track from
the quality Surrender to Love album. Written by Aja and Fatin (Kindred) with
Elise Perry featured.
Two new remixes hear
Kiehl and John remix and Loops Extended. The first is wonderful with added
beats, lazy hard beat that still allow the older soulful feel of the original
to be retained. The beat is so laid back yet it really builds the track into a
dreamy uplifting anthem.
On Loops there is
more hi hat and instrumentation, the vocals are more prominent, still retaining
the dreaminess but a little messy.
Of the remixes Kiehl
and John is good and will allow it to get more urban play but don't forget the
wonderful soulful original version.
Lemar - 50/50 -
Released on 17
November 2003 and the second single, follow up to Dance With U. Lemar is
certainly winning people over following the banality of his introduction. He
says this is 'A bit of soul with a touch of hip hop'. Now if you listen to the
original version first that's the way it is. Smooth soulful vocals, and catchy
chorus, indeed catchy lyrics throughout. Nice
But on the
Blacksmith remix it is totally the ther way round I would suggest, nice beats
and samples, the essence of hip hop. Soulwise the vocals aren;'t so upfront but
the hook comes through. Once again the Blacksmith Remix does it. I don't know
what it is about them, you know what's coming but they hit everytime.
Debut album coming
on November 24 Dedicated on Sony.
Beyonce ft Sean Paul Columbia
Released 6 October
and follow up to the massive Crazy in Love and from the debut album Dangerously
in love. Features of course the massively in demand right now Sean Paul. This
will be enormous of course but frankly for me it is carried by a thunderous
beat, Sean Paul and a catchy chorus, and unfortunately the vocals from a soul
perspective at least are weak
JD aka Dready Jelly in your trunk
Released on 22
September on So Solid Beats/Independiente.
Signal the previous
release is still firing up the dancehalls but this anthemic, party piece comes
hot on it's heals. Jelly being a female posterior and you don't to see the
video (which I haven't) to conjure up the images! This has a smooth and
infectious, yet heavy bassline to get those bins trembling and the Jelly
moving.
JD is having a successful
year having propelled Lisa Maffia into the chart and also working with MisTeeq
and Ms Dynamite.
An album is due in
the Autumn Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!
Sugar Daddy Sweet Soca Music
Released 22
September 2003
Sugar Daddy new star
of the Caribbean's first UK single. I am just back from France and this one is
already a massive hit over there. You can't go anywhere without hearing this.
Whether this summer styled hit will go so big in the UK with a release at the
end of the season remains to be seen, but it is infectious.
Samples the strings
from the Verve's Bittersweet Symphony, with a heavy bassline and moderate ragga
beat, a blend of Soca and Reggae. Suga actually was initially signed to Sony
France, was born in 1975 in Tobago. He, Stafford Samuel, began singing at age
13 performing with Kisskedee, Banton, Sizzla and Capleton.
Mixes by Fiqtion
(Lisa Maffia, Asher D, Terri Walker), stripped down, computerized, metronymic
and pretty good. J-Zak's mix is also very electronic and grows on you. Also
gets some Banghra treatment with the Bobby Friction Mix. This is one cut where
it is difficult to choose between the mixes, none of them are too heavy and are
carried by the infectious nature of the track.
B2K Uh Huh (Ron G Remix)
Released on October
6 2003
The next single
following the hits Bump Bump and Girlfriend. This actually was originally
released last year and appears on the Pandemonium album. This is a Remix by Ron
G but also included is the original album mix, plus a Nazcar remix.
The original mix is
Ok but the Ron G really livens it up. It sounds fresher and more dancehall,
quite obviously. Both the instrumental and the vocals are cleaner and whilst
for me it is not as good as Girlfriend it is still much better than Bump. With
the momentum they now have this one should fire up the clubs for a couple of
months yet. Actually the Nazcar mix is Ok too, stripped down and sparse.
Nasir Jones Get Down
Well I guess we were
all waiting for this one out September
8 2003, the third single from the massive platinum 6th album God's
Son.
Produced by Salaam
The Chamelion Remi, Nas rhyming over James Brown's The Boss break. The words
are easy and real, a narrative of life at the throw of a dice, street warfare and
rough justice. Great stuff to keep this summer pumping.
On the reverse is
Nas featuring the hot right now Pharrell on Nas's Angels - the flyest, and
additional vocals by Rajeshwari. Taken from Charlie's Angels Full Throttle.
Www.so-urban/nas www.godsson.net
Also out on November
3 will be The Lost Tapes Volume 2 the follow up to the first volume of
previously unreleased material.
Walkerman Listen to Mama
Illustrious
Released on 8th
September. This one could go. Big summer sound, old ska beat and carnival
approaching. A mix of old school, new style, jamaican and urban beats. Produced
by Double Trouble producer Leigh Guest.
Remember the (rude)
reggae of Nora Dean's barbwire, this is based around that and the sample works
in well. Original version features Bassey and Alius 1.
Infectious, summery,
happy, uplifting, we could do with some of this. Any mix will do but for
dancehall action Curtis Lynch will mash up.
DJ Kayslay ft Nas, Baby, Foxy Brown,
Amerie Too much to me Columbia
Probably, well
certainly, the best track from the Streetsweeper album, produced by Kayslay and
featuring Nas, Baby, Foxy and Amerie. Top names indeed and a bouncy summery
track that comes alive when the Amerie hook kicks in. For me these multi
collaborations nearly always fall short but this one just about makes it.
Also a 'video' mix
featuring Amerie, Loon and Foxy Brown
Big Brovaz Baby Boy
Released 1
September a more downtempo cut,
giving the girls in the outfit the dominance on this track. Taken from the
album , one of the massive successes of the last 8 months or so. Blacksmith,
Kardinal Beats, and album version are the mixes. Again, as with below, it's
Blacksmith, I just prefer the heavy beat, laid back , cut down, sparse mixes.
They are pretty old hat as far as Blacksmith mixes are concerned but it does it
for me, must be the (apparent) simplicity.
Much better release
than the last one.
For a bit of variety
check the Jaimeson Vocal Mix which takes the sound into a different dance based
direction. The beat is fine save for an irritating hi hat, and the mix kid of
works although the (ladies) vocals come across a bit twee.
Lemar Dance (with U)
Released 18 August
2003 a first single self written
which Lemar describes as a cross between Michael Jackson and Musiq Soulchild.
He has the cream of the UK's writing and production teams lining up to work
with him Stargate, So Solid, Cut
father & Joe and Blacksmith. Produced by Fitzgerald Scott (keith Sweat) and
Brian Rawlings (Daniel Bedingfield).
Lemar of course hit
the screens with Fame Academy but this is a more than credible R'n'B outing.
Variety of mix's available, JD aka Dready, Kardinal Beats, Blacksmith ft
Jahzell or the straight album version.
You must pick on one
of the mixes as the album version just comes over too weak. Dready is fine but
it's the ever reliable Blacksmith for me.
Lisa Maffia In Love
Independiente
Released 28 July
2003 her debut single All Over
sold 90,000 and reached no 2. the second release should therefore consolidate
that position. The style however is much different stoccato beats and Spanish
Guitars complete with video filmed in Barcelona. Produced by So Solid's AC
Burrell.
A mellowish summer
love song and pretty laid back mix. Kind of Ok and will be carried through by
the previous success but all in all pretty uninspiring. Unfortunately not saved
by the Tiger Style remix though the 12" mix is just about palateable.
Her first album hits
the streets on August 11.
Beyonce ft JayZ Crazy in Love Columbia
Released 30 June
2003, brand new single from her debut album Dangerously in Love (out June 23)
and features the slick rhyming of Jay Z. Produced by Rich Harrison (Mary J
Blige, Amerie)
Samping the ChiLites
but not really very old skool and not very innovative either. Of the stuff out
there right now this is pretty bogstandard and is carried by the sample, the
rap is also not very upfront and does little to carry the track. You would have
thought that this would go and you would've also thought that this would
eclipse Kelly and all, but hey i don't know if it will.
JD aka Dready Signal So Solid
Beats/Independiente
Released July 14
"this is a
warning everybody report to the
dancefloor immediately"
"When So Solid Beats/Independiente
new signing JD appears out of the blue and commands you get to the dancefloor
you might well wonder just who he thinks he is. Well don't 'cos everybodys
gonna know and sooner rather than later. Coming on like Birmingham's answer
to Busta Rhymes, Beenie Man and Pharrell Williams all in one package JD may be
a new face to most but he's a master at making people move their feet- and
Signal is a raucous party starting taste of how he does it."
Musically this is
dance hall, party time, booming bass, hard fashion, heavy beats. It is high
spirited in a Busta Style, this is going to burn up the floors over the next
couple of months. Take the R'n'B mix or the Burn it up which is more dancehall,
either will work.
There is a second
remix which for me is the one.
Jennifer Lopez I'm Glad (Big Brovaz Remix)
Out 9 June on Epic
I'm glad is one of
the better tracks, and third single, from the This is Me ..then album, one of
the traks that Jennifer's vocal comes across quite soulful, assisted by the
catchy chorus. Remix by the Big Brovaz is OK, not too inspiring, but on the
other hand not ruinous, just adding a simple street element to it. Nice track.
Stay with the
original catchy mix, produced by Troy Oliver ad Corey Rooney. Look for the
video paying homage to the movie Flashdance.
Tommi Like What
Released 23 June
2003
Tommi are an
authentic girl crew Stylus (Bona fide pirate dj), Peekaboo (Scottish Rapper
with unhinged rhyming skillz), Lil Chill (the merry prankster), Bambi (gold
jewellery clad rude girl) and Mis Thang (the Queen Styler).
Heavy beat uptempo
and infectious, expect big things from this It's pretty formulaic I guess but that just shows how
mainstream hip hop is. This really is out and out pop, penned by Tboz and
produced by Bloodshy who hs worked with Miss Dynamita, J-Lo and Christina
Milian as well as TLC)
Mixes by Kardinal
Beats, JD and BJ Mic. The first two are pretty basic but the BJ Mic Soul Remix
adds a bit of interest by mellowing down the vocal and making it more
percussive. It will however be the harder mixes that will make this record go
and go big.
Further club mixes
about by Cedo Solo and Juliano Creators, the first with some electro beats that
are gaining more prominence by the minute. The Juliani mixes are stripped bare.
B2K Girlfriend Epic
Release date now 9
June and not May 26 and is the next single and follow up to Bump. From the
recently released Pendemonium album. Written and produced by R Kelly.
It is uptempo yet
mellow, has R Kelly written all over, it repeats in your head and is much
better in view in the fiery yet instant Bump. The Ron G mix is hard but retains
the infectious chorus to underpin the beat.
Pied Piper (i.e
Rkelly) does a remix, more hard hitting than his album version, faster paced
and everything is up front. How do you do that without overcrowding the thing.
Gotta have the skillz of an R Kelly I guess. Enormous cut.
Ginuwine ft Baby Hell Yeah Epic
Brand new single
from DC's Ginuwine, released on May 19, and taken from forthcoming album 'The
Senior' out on June 2 on Epic.
Written and produced
by R Kelly and is currently hitting the Billboard 100 by storm.
Original version and
remix featuring R Kelly Baby and Clipse. Ginuwine doesn't do much wrong and
this ain't gonna be one of them. This is a stormer, catchy, current, heavy,
persistent, all the right ingredients for now Party Time Hell Yeah. The remix
is mellowed down a bit with R Kelly as you might expect and a bit of dancehall.
Top Stuff
Kelly Rowland Can't Nobody
Columbia
Released on April 21
and follows the huge hit Stole. Produced by Rich Harrison (Amerie). Remixes
from Ced Solo, Steve Silk Hurley and rap version featuring Lil Flip and Jakk
Frost.
A good sweet catchy
uptempo song which sounds pretty good whether stripped down (Ced Solo) or hip
hopped up. When stripped down the voice and particularly the hook (almost like
a sample) haunt themselves behind the beat. On the Jakk Frost the rap is hard
and clear and the vocal more to the front sounds a bit stretched in the upper
reaches but it is definitely the style of the day, and then there's the hook.
Catchy and persistent.
Lil Flip mix is more
percussive with a more laid back rap. The Silkmix.com 80's Hip Hop Flava mix is
less dance than you might expect it to be with some 80's sounding Isley's style
in the back there somewhere.
Also check a great
video now doing the rounds on Box and MTV.
Websites www.sonymusic.co.uk www.kellyrowlandonline.com
www.so-urban.com/kelly
Revised dates for
the UK tour are Glasgow 13/9, Newcastle 14/9, Bristol 17/9, Wolverhampton 16/9,
Manchester 19/9, Sheffield 20/9, London 21/9.
Macy Gray When I see you
Epic
Released April 21 and
is the first single from the new album entitled ' The trouble with being
myself' which will be released on April 28.
Macy has had two top
3 albums and sold over 8 million copies worldwide. The third album has been a
year and a half in the making and includes collaborations with Beck and Pharoah
Monch and was produced by Dallas Austin, Daryl Swan and Macy herself. It was
cut entirely in LA Macy's home town.
This promo includes
Bugz in the Attic remixes, a throbbing baseline and a pretty minimalist approach
leaving Macy's strained and individual vocals very distant. Even the chorus is
low down but this remix still packs a punch
The radio edit sees
the vocal more upfront and it is very distinctive, poppy and not sure if I like
it, bit too Rod Stewart for me, I'm afraid.
Big Brovaz Favourite Things
Released 12 May
2003, the third single from this quick to success British Outfit. Already
estaablished as one of the Uk's most innovative urban talents with two top ten
singles and a top twenty album.
This is an interpretation
of the song taken from The Sound of Music. It has a waltz time beat, strings
and slick vocals. Bit of a mix this, the album version has good vocals and
rhymes coming together but lacks some punch. The Kardinal Beats version adds
this, great buts but loses the vocal interplay. All in all still coms over a
bit to twee and a bit messy. Not as strong as the previous two cuts, but
hopefully the band will not lose momentum because of it as their skills are
generally refreshing.
Mediocre tracks can
and often are retrieved and refreshed at the hands of a Blacksmith remix.
Unfortunately not so here, the usual sparse beats are evident but insufficient
work on the vocal.
Also got some
remixes Trackboyz and Beatdigglerz
but sorry to say that neither can pick this one up.
Killer Mike A.D.I.D.A.S ft Big Boi Columbia
All Day I dream
about Sex is the first single to be taken from Killer Mike's debut album
'Monster' which has just entered the US Billboard chart at number 10. This
track relasd on April 28
Mike brought his
flow to Outkast's The Whole World in 2002
this cut also features Outkast's Big Boi. This track is different, kinda
oddball but it has a good feel to it, rugged funky and raw. Mellow with an old
school feel and much needed humour.
Aaliyah Don't know what to tell you Independiente
Released on April 14
2003. "'I care 4U' a collection of Aaliyah's previously unreleased music
and greatest hits, was released on feb 3, 200 and has spwnt four weeks in the
top 10. Following this success 'Don't know what to tell ya' will be released a
single in the Uk. Aaliyah's vocals are perfectly showcases on this, accompanied
by the production talents and edgy creativity of Timbaland, Aaliyah's long tome
collaborator.
This track is a
midtempo bass heavy track with Aaliyah's unmistakeable vocal exploring the
themes of intimacy and trust within a relationship. The DAE Remix particularly
cuts it, pounding dancehall stylee. The Handcuff remix is messier but the
bassline sure packs a punch.
Amerie I'm coming out
Columbia
Released on 28
April, Amerie unleashes a cover of Diana Ross classic 'I'm coming out'. This is
taken from the soundtrack of Maid in Manhattan, the latest film featuring
Jennifer Lopez.
For me a step
backward artistically because there was some good stuff on the album, but
undoubtedly a step forward rom a profile perspective. Catchy moderately funky
and a party dancefloor kind of tune will ensure that the spring kicks off in a
happy, at the disco at least, frame of mind. Doesn't really add anything to the
original despite a more modern drum laden beat, and includes the distant echoey
'I'm coming' a la the Ross original.
Of the remixes there
is one by th eup and coming Loren Dawson. This is very subdued drum laden and
doesn't really add too much. Trackmasters however has much more to it plus the
addition of Foxy Brown. Far and away a better remix. Foxy more to the ront and
the Diana Ross taken out nice.
Amerie's dbut album
All I have is being repackaged to include this track, released on 12 May.
Macy Gray ft Pharoahe Monch It ain't the money/ When I see you Epic
A brand new track
taken from the forthcoming album The trouble with Being myself. New album is
set for release on May 12 produced by Macy and Dallas Austin and Kiilu Grand, a
ling time collaborator.
This is a very
uptempo cut featuring Pharoah Monch and Beck. I liked Macy when she shot to
attention a few years ago but her quirkiness and vocal styling very soon led to
irritation and overkill. However a small time gap and straight R'n'b has helped
take all that away and this sounds good, still distinctive but more controlled.
Actually When I see
you is going to be the first single released on April 21 is more rocky and I
wait to see whether the remixes can salvage something out of this one.
Lisa Maffia All Over
Independiente
"She's been
known as the First Lady of So Solid, the Jewel in the Crown and the 24 Carat
Princess. She's perfectly blended sweetness and streetness on the melodic choruses
that have taken her to the top. She's become an icon of high rolling glamour
and a model of determination for young mums everywhere and managed all this
in one piece of a 30 strong Battersea Garage troupe. Now with a debut single
packed with enough party power to shake off the New Year Blues she's taking
centre stage. And looking back on it now she's been waiting for a mighty long
time.
Lisa Maffia (her
real name) lit up the So Solid Lp with her hook heavy choruses and even
provided a glimpse of her range with tracks like Skyla, but her solo debut was
always going to be the place where she showed what she was made of. "this
is my time to shine and show the musical ability that I've developed, learning
from the So Solid Crew as well; the styles I've picked up, the singing spitting
style, the r'n'b slow style, the ragga style"
When Lisa started
recording the solo materialshe wanted to draw on in all her musical influences
both past and present. Even though the new grooves were all created by in house
So Solid producers JD, AC Burrell, Swiss and DanMan, the result is a record
that is laced with music and lyrics that will force all those who think that
they've sussed the UK urban formula to reconsider.
First single All
over is a stomping Girls night Out party tune dedicated to Dior, Cristal and
garage rave glamour. The So Solid squad and Lisa's distinctive voca; style have
combined to forge a musical identity that goes beyond the standard UK scene.
There's enough melodic punch and dancefloor swagger to beat American R'n'B's
powerhouse producers on their own terms, and more than enough spirit and
personality to prove that Lisa is and will remain her own woman. The 24 Carat
Princess has proved her mettle, the music is Solid Gold'
Well so say the
blurb and you can't much argue with that, a pounding happy bouncy clubby item
that will reach anthemic propotions over the next month or two. Whether it is
sufficient to take on the US only time will tell released on April 21.
Also some club
remixes which accentuate the beat and are going to cause some pre
reactionfeaturing Asher D, JD and Stush.
Nasir Jones I can
New single released
on March 24 following the success of Made You look which was Nas's 7th
consecutive Top 30 hit. I can from the album God's Son produced by Saleem Remi.
Track has a chorus recited by children over classical piano in a life lesson by
Nas. Words of empowerment , simple, catchy and gonna be a big big hit. Video
directed by Chris Robinson out shortly.
Hey but take the
Juliano Creator Remix, it replaces the twee and the irritating with some deep
beats and is much better
Also included is a
remix of the menacing Made You look featuring Jadakiss and Ludacris
B2K ft P Diddy - Bump bump - Epic
This is a US Number 1 smash, released
here on March 17 2003. The single features P Diddy and taken from the
forthcoming B2K album Pandemonium, released on March 24. B2K are America's
biggest teenage RnB sensation right now, and this cut is creating chaos on Uk
dancefloors. In fact at a recent performance in London they caused Pandemonium
due to th efrenzied crowd, and an interview on Choice FM was a roadblock eveny.
Pounding beat and one of those catchy
hip hop choruses that hit home, even on the album version, but enhanced on the
mixes available, one featuring Nazkar, and a couple of Jiggy Joint Remixes.
The Nazkar mixes is sparser but
slightly more commercial for radio play. The Club mix is a real heavy and will
bring a few houses down over the next few weeks.
Jennifer Lopez ft LL Cool J - All I
have - Epic
Released on March 10 and from the now
Platinum album This is Me and follow up to Jenny from the block. Featuring LL
Cool J, and there will be a video showing shortly featuring the pair.
Jennifer's new film Maid in Manhattan will also get a UK release in March.
Personally I think there are better
cuts on the album than this and I would like to see some of the more soulful
dance cuts get preference over this. However I appreciate that this is more
likely to sell at the moment. It's a good track and well put together but I
don't feel that LL's cool and deep mellow laid back rap gels so well with the
shriller tones of J-Lo, destined to be a big hit though.
Sarah Connor - He's Unbelievable - Epic
This must have gotten delayed as i have now been informes that
release date is now April 7 and the album on 21 April.
Released on 24 February 2003, 23 year old Sarah is a massive star
in Germany where she has already had multi platinum and gold number ones and
top ten's over Europe. Her single 'From Sarah with love, sold 750,000 in
Germany alone. She also scored a UK top 20 with TQ and 'Let's get back to bed
boy.
This track is from her forthcoming albun 'He's unbelievable' which
features collaborations with Wyclef and Dianne Warren.
'He's unbelievable' is made for the dancefloor and is already
getting playlisted so it looks like this one is gonna go big. Aside from the
album cut there are two Ced Solo mixes, Club and NYC Street, the former also
comes with or without rap by Strawberry The Preachers daughter.
Don't know too much about the history of this track but I think
it's been around a while - whether it's just been picked up by Sony for global
exposure, or passed on from Sony Germany I'm not sure. Sarah has a sulful
pedigree through her history and her loves and past collaborations. The Ced
mixes fair pump along and are enhanced by the rap, vocal is not to strong but
the beat is persistent.
Again as a sucker for the stripped down mixes it is the NYC street
that does it for me. The basic cut is pretty uninspiring so it's a club it or
leave it choice.
Kelly Rowland - Stole - Columbia - Additional Mixes
More mixes hitting the streets on 27 January - This is a great
song period and it's gonna be a pretty dud mix that messes it up. These 5 AM
mixes are top stuff, laid pretty bare but allowing the catchiness of the hook
to ooze throughout, hint of old school organ seeping in the background....nice.
Amerie - Talkin To Me - Columbia
The next one out from the album, hard hitting bassline and sweet
vocals on this R'n'B slow jam. Not as instant or commercial as the last one but
equally as soulful and certainly this girl led R'n'B style is coming to some
prominence right now. Big cuts coming out of these pages alone by the likes of
Kelly and some of the album cuts on J-Lo. Keep it coming yeh!
Kelly Rowland - Stole - Columbia
The top cut from the Simply Deep album, released on 27 January
2003. Expect this one to go large. Commercial but most of all good, a good song
lyrically and soulful too. Written and produced by Dane Deviller, Sean Hosein
and Steve Kipper.
Four mixes on show, I actually like the straight album cut but the
dancefloor will groove to the H&D (Hula & Dejion) Nu Soul Mix. The Azza
Nu Soul Mix is a killer, bassy stripped bare mix. The final mix is Damon
Elliott's Dreambrotha mix which also features on the CD single together with a
sligtly extended pop mix.
Rhianna - I love every little thing about you - S2
Now amended release date to 10 February 2003, and growing by the minute.
Dance cuts around I believe (Knee Deep) which are also hitting Modern Soul and
House clubs.
Released on 27 January 2003, the third single from the album 'Get
On', after Oh Baby and Word Love. Sweet vocals on this Stevie Wonder cover.
4 Mixes in evidence - 3Quency R&B Mix is sweet, sparse and
bassy, haunting child like quality to the backing vocal overdubs. 8Jam Street
Mix is the one, picks up a groove with intense drum programming rendering the
voclas more distant, yet still powerful enough.
Walkner.Hintemuas remix is more mechanical and moody, chilled
beats whilst the Boilerhouse mix plays on the melody
Rhianna is around the UK as support to Beverley Knight so look out
for that in Bristol, Norwich, Glasgow, Carlisle, Liverpool. Manchester, derby,
Wolverhampton, Brigton, Southampton and London.
Big Brovaz - OK - Epic
The Cd single contains the obligatory radio remix, a pretty
dreadful Rock remix, the video and the Kardinal remix
There is also a second 12" out on 3 February 2003 with some
additional mixes, Blacksmith, Dozeguys and Ray Keith.
The Blacksmith quit is quite choppy but the vocal male female
interplay seems to be enhanced, over a hard accentuated bassline. Dozeguys is
the one for me, stripped down but chunky. Ray Keith picks up the pace to an
almost garage beat, but could be harder imho.
The follow up to the big hit, out 0n 27 January 2003, and this
should keep the momentum up from this outfit who are taking the world by storm.
A better track altogether in my view, better musically and less instant, but
the power and momentun of Nu Flow should see it through.
In addition we have a couple of remixes, Stretch and Grim and
Kardinal. The Stretch mix is wicked, cut down and blown up, heavy pumpin stuff.
Kardinal takes an altogether different approach.
Look out for a hot videodirected by Jake Nava who has worked with
Miss Dynamite, Spice Girls and Roni Size.
Wyclef - Pussycat - Columbia
Released on November 18 2003, and taken
from his album Masquerade, this is an uptempo cut featuring a sample from Tom
Jones.
The Club Mix features Loon, Busta
Rhymes and Robby & Ryan from City High, this mix certainly kicks and is
more credible Hip Hop Hi Life and doesn't feature the sample! The album cut is
more Clef and Tom and the sample will get appeal amongst the masses but it's
the club mix for me.
Also included is the in demand So So
Def remix of the last single Two wrongs (Don't make a right). Bit messy for me
as there always seems to be so many choppy changes.
Khia - My Neck My Back Lick it
Released 4 November 2002, this debut single that is already
dominating dancefloors with it's infectious lyrics and beat. The debut album
Thug Misses is released in the UK on 18 November. Khia born in Philadelphia and
raised in Tampa Florida.
The faster Tobi Neumman has a faster more housey beat but the
album version is the best, parental advisory and you can guess where it's
going!
Nas - Made you Look - Columbia -
Brand new track from Nas from the
forthcoming album 'God's son' due for release on 16 December. Made you look is
the US street single. Produced by Salaam Remi.
This album finds Nas in good form -
street hopping, not quite so instantly Nas as before. Dark haunting groove to
this and I am informed that a suitably grimy video is being shot. I prefer hip
hop that isn't quite biting and so in your face and this falls into that
category. Nonetheless hardhitting vocally and it gets across.
Will Smith - 1000 Kisses - Columbia
Seems a while since we had a hit from
big Will. The is fairly typical of his work in that it samples a well known
tune and hook. This time it's Luther Vandross and Never too Much, 1000 kisses,
although actually I'm not sure that it is a sample because it doesn't sound
like Luther. Nonetheless it will be these hooks that will take and build this
track. Despite that it is not quite so instant as some previous material.
Contains some vocals by Mrs S, Jada.
Vivian Green - Emotional Rollercoaster-
Columbia
Vivian's website can be found at http://www.viviangreen.com/
Vivian Green, aged 23, is Columbia
Records newest singer-songwriter and if this and the preview album cuts are
anything to go by is my kind of thing and what's more is destined for big
things. She is from Philly and sung back-up for Jill Scott and this is where
she got picked up by Columbia in late 2001.
Emotional Rollercoaster was written by
Vivian and this track is about exactly that. The ups and downs of a
relationship sang with emotion and reality. A great soulful ballad.
3LW ft Lil Wayne - Neva get enuf -Epic
http://www.3lw.com/ 3LW's website -
This new single released on October 22
from the album A girl can Mack. This main mix features Lil Wayne. A mellow and
soulful single from a group that are truly emerging big time. Not much to
choose between the new Spa Mix or the album. Catchy soulful and sexy
These 3 (young) Little Waoan, Kiely
Williams (16), Adrienne Bailon (18), and Naturi Naughton (18) are surely gong
to be huge as this and the album follows up the platinum sales that their
self-titled debut made, and to justify the tag of Best New R&B or Hip Hop
Artist and Album Of The Year at the 2001 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.
Jennifer Lopez - Jenny on the Block -
Epic
Out on 11 November, being the first
taste from the new album 'This is me..then' out on November 25.
This cut is based around samples from
Herbie Mann, KRS One, and the Beatnuts and also features LOX rappers Jadakiss
and Styles. This is very instant as you would expect, is good time party stuff,
lightweight on the R'nB side (obviously!) and will be massive.
This is the first single since 'J to
Tha Lo' remix album which made history in being the first remix album to go
straight to number one. The album went platinum in the UK. Jennifer is
currently putting finishing touches to the album where she has co written most
of the songs.
Xzibit - Multiply - Columbia
Released on 4 November from the album
Multiply, the album debuted at number 3 on release.
The remix features Busta Rhymes,
whereas it was Nate Dogg on the album, But this remix is hard heavy pumpin slow
and rhtthmic Hip Hop. Xzibit is large right now as the chart placing would
testify and it will do no harm having the (mad!) Busta Rhymes to help his case,
especially in the UK. Expect this to be massive. Personally I prefer the album
version.
Big Brovaz - Nu Flow - Epic
Released 14 October
2002 and big things expected of this one. Big Brovaz are a 6 piece South London
based group. The hype goes that "this is Hip Hop with a twist and not
since the days of Soul II Soul has the collaboration between producer and band
been such a force to be reckoned with in the UK. The beats are phat and the
lyrics are fly, they might not be about gun toting street kids, but concern
themselves with other more positive elements of street culture.'
There are three
girls Cherise (19), Dion (22) and Nadia (21), three boys Flawless (21), J-Rock
(23) and Skillz (25) presenting a fusion of R'n'B and Hip Hop, a good time
party vibe.
This is a pretty commercial
slab of Hip Hop in which each of the group gets an opportunity to flex,
certainly promotes a happy vibe and party atmosphere. The hook will certainly
get it some radio plays and they appear to be looking at the popular clean cut
end of the marketplace. That said the beats are strong and somewhat offbeat and
I would think destined for a chart position.
Why don't we fall in love - Amerie
released October 28 2002
Taken from the album
All I have the Main Mix ft Ludacris is the one that will get radio and urban
play adding a bit more to a rather short. A big track in the US written and
produced by Rich Harrison with a new mixes by Stretch and Grim and an in demand
mix by Richcraft.
All mixes are
worthwhile but personally I go for the Richcraft one although the dubby
baseline on the Stretch is quite appealing.
Strong cut that is
going to go big , with a top video showing on MTV Base.
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