LeToya - "Don't Need You" [MaddScientist] & "She Ain't Got..." [Final] [Cory Bold, The Graffiti Artists] + Album Cover/Video

First of all check out the FIERCE cover LeToya debuted today for her forthcoming album "Lady Love", girl is looking the absolute hotness, I LOVE that structure on the back of her dress. (although I know people are gonna compare it to the Beyonce promos, LeToya looks way better!)

Now onto business, here's one of the only tracks to leak in full recorded for the project, which is now due out August 25th, after many pushbacks. The first is the MaddScientist-produced "Don't Need You", which is as usual from this dude quality material and a great combo of pop and R&B sensibilities as he's illustrated in the past with tracks like Elliot Yamin's "Fight For Love", Leona's "Mrs. Glass" & Christina Milian's "Us Against The World". He manages to create these catchy-ass songs which still pack a punch production-wise with plenty of little bleeps and sexy drum patterns for the criticial heads that might be listening.

As for the final of "She Ain't Got..." I was really impressed with how Cory Bold switched it up a little, I absolutely love that intro of the electric guitar take on the main beat and LeToya delivers with her background vocals as usual, I love those "Noooo"s on the bridge. Hopefully this banging track will give her the success she deserves, where the equally fantastic "Not Anymore" and its beautiful video failed. Speaking of videos, that of the new single premiered today and its hot as hell! Again directed by Bryan Barber ("Not Anymore", Outkast) its a totally different affair and really matches the edginess and anger of the tracks' subject matter and thudding beat with its great dance routine and LeToya's bad girl swag. I'm hoping this isn't the final version though as it lacks that HQ sheen that professional videos usually have and this makes it look cheap when its clearly not and is a great video. I'm sure film heads will be able to help me out with putting a name to it but I know something's definitely missing!

Ginuwine - "A Man's Thoughts" - Warner Bros/Notifi/Asylum

Well I never thought it would happen but here it is, G's new album and a comeback of sorts. I hope "Get Involved" does well on the charts seen as its Timbaland it will mean deserved chart success for both Ginuwine and The Clutch.

Tracklisting

1 Intro 1:10
---Elgin Lumpkin, M. Naylor
2 Show Off 3:21
---RL Huggar, Warren 'Oak' Felder, A. Wansel
---+ Demo
3 Trouble F/ Bun B. 4:01
---Elgin Lumpkin, Dante "Inferno" Jackson, Bun B., R. Vincent, T. White
---+ No Rap Version
4 Last Chance 1st Single 4:29
---Bryan Michael Cox, Adonis Shropshire, W. Wells
---+ Acoustic
5 Interlude 1:15
---Elgin Lumpkin, M. Naylor
6 One Time For Love 4:38
---Bryan Michael Cox, Johntá Austin, Adonis Shropshire, A.J. Dean
---+ Demo

7 Open The Door 3:45
---Warren "Oak" Felder, RL Huggar, A. Wansel
8 Get Involved F/ Timbaland & Missy Elliott 2nd Single 3:38
---Timbaland, J-Roc, Missy Elliott, The Clutch - Patrick & Zeke
9 Orchestra 3:31
---Elgin Lumpkin, Warren "Oak" Felder, RL Huggar, A. Wansel
10 Touch Me 4:13
---Melvin "St. Nick" Coleman, RL Huggar, J. Champion
11 Lying to Each Other 3:41
---Elvis "BlacElvis" Williams, Harold Lilly
12 Even When I'm Mad 3:33
---Melvin "St. Nick" Coleman, RL Huggar, J. Smith, A. Wright
13 Bridge To Love F/ Brandy 4:00
---Elvis "BlacElvis" Williams, Adonis Shropshire
14 Used To Be The One 4:29
---Elgin Lumpkin, Melvin Rogers, Ted Clinkscale, O. Jean-Joseph, M. Naylor, R. Rush
15 Show Me the Way 3:32
---Elgin Lumpkin, M. Naylor, O. Joseph-Jean, B. Green



Other Tracks:

- Alarm F/ T-Pain
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], The Underdogs

- Can Feel It
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], Bryan Michael Cox [?]

- Can't Blame You
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], Bryan Michael Cox, ...

- Closer F/ Maddi Madd
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], ...

- Good For Nothing
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], The Underdogs, ...

- Hate To Love Ya
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], Timbaland, Jim Beanz, ...

- Hustler's Hustler
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], Melvin "St. Nick" Coleman [?], ...

- I'll Love You Forever F/ Keyshia Cole
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], Polow Da Don, ...

- I'll Miss
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], ...

- I Betcha
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], Troy Taylor, ...

- I Want To Know F/ Lil' Wayne
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], Polow Da Don, ...

- Lap Dance F/ Timbaland
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], Timbaland, ...

- Please You
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], The Underdogs

- She Wasn't Havin' It F/ Jose
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], ...

- She's Like F/ Jeff
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], ...

- Surrender -> Usher
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], ...

- Wanna Do
---Elgin Lumpkin [?], The Runners - Andrew Harr & Jermaine Jackson



A-Z Writers/Producers:

Adonis Shropshire
Bryan Michael Cox
Jim Beanz
Johntá Austin
Polow Da Don
RL Huggar
The Clutch
The Runners
The Underdogs
Timbaland
Troy Taylor
Warren "Oak" Felder

Amerie - "Tell Me You Love Me" / "Dear John"

Finally material from Amerie's long-awaited fourth album is starting to surface after the fantastic single "Why RU?". "Tell Me You Love Me" is a funky, horn-driven 60s-style production much in the vein of some of the tracks from her last album like "Hate2LoveU" and "Gotta Work" and her Rich Harrison-produced singles like "1 Thing". Although its not amazing, I like the concept of Amerie's tracks like this, she really goes into the past and takes the influences from there, however, I'm expecting better quality tracks than this to make the cut. I'm also disappointed if it is in fact produced by Teddy Riley, as I know he's capable of much more than biting Amerie's past producers and sounds.

"Dear John" thankfully hasn't been confirmed for the album, a boring Stargate-esque piano/808-driven ballad not like anything that Amerie normally does as her exciting catalogue of songs proves. I'm hoping this is just a rough conceptual track which has leaked early.

Although these tracks are hardly quality material, I know Amerie always delivers and the first official track from the project, that is the single "Why RU?" still has me excited about the it. Amerie also recently gave us an indepth preview of what the album will sound like:

Album concepts: “This album is very personal, whether I’m talking about my own past situations or situations the people close to me went through. I really wanted to make sure that everything I was writing wasn’t too far from myself”.

Creating beats: “Usually I’d get a raw instrumental, and from there I’d pick out parts and sounds, and then format them to create the arrangement of the song. Once I wrote and vocaled, I’d talk to the producer again about adding additional instrumentation I felt was necessary, like strings, additional keys, building the bridge, just basically formatting the record”.

Sounds & Direction: “For this album, I told people I needed music that was really heavy, something with knock. Nothing too pretty; I wanted something that sounded ‘70’s-ish, when rock had a lot of soul in it, and it was still so related to the blues. And of course it needed that hip-hop element”.

Tell Me U Love Me: “I didn’t really have to say much to Teddy. I told him I wanted something signature ‘me’. He knew exactly what to do. It was like magic. I wrote that record freestyling in the vocal booth after hearing it for the first time. Killer”.

Higher: “I told Warryn [Campbell] I wanted a live, hard, rock sound, something mean, something with swagger. I wanted the intrumentation to have a strong personality before I even opened my mouth. He started playing the bass guitar, and I was sitting there creating the lyrics and melody and it all came together really organically. That’s what I mean when I say that this album, in addition to being an extension of my first, is also an extension of ‘1 Thing’ because ‘1 Thing’ has its go-go roots but it’s also very soulful, ‘70’s rock. I went from that and took it all the way live”.

Why R U: “[The song] is about being in a relationship and hating that you’re so attached to this person. A lot of the songs on this album deal with wanting to be done with a relationship but you’re just not really ready to leave, so you hang around and wait for a person to change. I really wanted the lyrical content to be real conversation. I didn’t want anything to be sugar-coated”.

Different People: Amerie enlisted the Australian producer M-Phazes who tracked a mid-tempo backdrop for the songstress to explain how important it is to accept your partner for who they are.

Pretty Brown: (also produced by M-Phazes) Amerie hooks up with Trey Songz to sing about a relationship that is quickly approaching the breaking point.

More Than Love: As well as In Love & War’s head-nodding first single ‘Why R U’, Amerie also linked up with the Buchanans for this riotous track.

Heard ‘Em All: On the sexy, catchy ladies anthem, Amerie let her long locks down over Sean Garrett and Eric Hudson’s up-tempo club track while challenging a prospective lover to bring something different to the table.

Definitely an interesting read, which has me even more amped for the album "In Love & War", which has now been pushed back to September 8th, which will also hopefully give my girl more time to actually promote her fantastic single and its Ray Kay-directed video!

The Backstreet Boys - Various Tracks [Jim Jonsin/Rico Love, Brian Kennedy/Graffiti Artists, Soulshock & Karlin/Claude Kelly]

Here's almost an album's worth of tracks that The Backstreet Boys record company have failed to keep under wraps but I think all still deserve to be placed on the project. I didn't think I was gonna like anything the guys brought because I'm far from a massive fan but they've really impressed me with the quality of material they're bringing this time around.

"Calling Your Name" and "Helpless" bring some new light on Jim Jonsin's production style, as even though they still have elements of his dirty-south/crunk-R&B they're a lot more muted than usual and along with the well-arranged vocals (listen to that distorted background vocal on the chorus of "Helpless") I assume by common collaborator Rico Love, bring an almost haunted sound to the tracks. I like the added rap from Pitbull on "Helpless" for a bit of extra street cred as well.

The guys have also recorded the fantastic Brian Kennedy/Graffiti Artists demo "Hologram" for the album. BK's electronic pulsating beat and the technology-age themed lyrics also fit in with the unusual, almost haunting style of a lot of the tracks I've heard from the project up to now and I really like it. Although its not one of Andre Merritt or Chris Brown's best demos and I'd prefer to see tracks like "Welcome To The Jungle", "Nasty Girl" and "Flamethrower" getting placed its a decent track and I'm glad The Graffiti Artists are still getting placements as since "Disturbia" I've been hooked on them.

"Shattered" is more like the material one might expect from a BSB track as a piano-driven ballad but its still not bad quality at all and the background arrangements on the chorus, along with the epic modern strings bring more of an R&B vibe to the track while still maintaining that pop sensibility BSB are known for.

Next is onto an awesome trio collabo and probably my most anticipated tracks from the project, that is the two Soulshock & Karlin/Claude Kelly tracks that have been all over TwitterNews this past month. "What I Know Now" shows both Claude & S&K's diversity with Claude bringing his catchy pop side to the track as he did with the Kelly Clarkson tracks and S&K matching this with a poppy production but still with some of their R&B sensibilities like that stuttering heavy drum pattern that they're so good at delivering. "Bye Bye Love" is apparently a single contender and I can definitely see why, as its upbeat and even more catchy than "What I Know Now" with its Chris Brown "Forever"-esque euro-R&B influenced production and sing-along ready chorus. Although we only have the demo to "What I Know Now" we hardly need it for "Bye Bye Love" as Claude's vocal style is all over it!

These tracks, with their perfect balance of Pop & R&B really have me amped for the first time for a BSB project and considering the quality they're delivering this time around (as opposed to the awful style of "Inconsolable" from their last project) with every track I wish them every success for the album "This Is Us", with the first single apparently dropping in July and the album set to follow in September.

Teyana Taylor - "Complicated" [Hit-Boy, The Clutch - Candice Nelson & J. Que]

Well, they've been a longtime leaking but finally, seen as Pharrell is so resistant to releasing her project or even first single, I'm glad we're getting The Clutch joints Teyana recorded for her album. I doubt any of them will be used now for the project seen as they're so old and she's apparently re-recording it anyway so I can't see the harm. The track is just what I expected from hearing the other tracks The Clutch & Hit-Boy did for her but still awesome, with its laid-back 90s style New Jack-sounding production and beautifully arranged (as always from Gg) vocals along with its softspoken lyrics of teenage love. I wish we could have heard them all on one album, as even though artists like Tiffany Evans, Raven Symone and Karina Pasian have tried to fill the teenage R&B-pop market, they failed chart-wise even though their albums were great and we still don't have anyone successful to fill that void. Teyana's an interesting artist though, so hopefully she gets some sort of record out this year, even if it doesn't include these fantastic Clutch tracks.

Daily Demos: Unknown - "Figure It Out", The Writing Camp [?] - "Rock Bottom" [Track Masters?], The-Dream - "Greatest X." [C. "Tricky" Stewart] [Janet]

Although this track was tagged as Teairra Mari, I definitely know her voice and this isn't her. However, I decided to post anyway as its fantastic. The production by Votron (whoever that is) sounds like something Timbaland would do (see JF's Brandy demo "Home") with its muted strings and echoing heavy drum beat. The vocals are very Ciara-esque and this would have been perfect for her project, matching the mood of tracks like "Keep Dancin' On Me" and "Ciara To The Stage" totally.

The next demos' singer and credits are definitely up for contention too as I'm just following the original tags but they do seem a bit random to be wrong/fake. The track itself is decent, if a little formulaic with its soft piano-lounge style production and stripped down vocals but if it is TWC its definitely not their best work after a track record of banging tracks like "Right Here (Departed)" and "Don't Think Twice" and an even more established catalogue from the Track Masters including their most recent amazing tracks for Keyshia Cole's "A Different Me" album.

The-Dream demo is simply for collection purposes only for me as I hated the original track and think him and Tricky completely failed Janet with this track out of all the banging tracks they could have given her. [like anything from the Electrik Red album]

Soulja Boy/Sammie - "Kiss Me Thru The Phone" [Jim Jonsin]

I never thought I'd post a Soulja Boy track but this one has grown on me in the past few weeks so I just had to. Although I was definitely surprised that he's actually an OK rapper, sounding like a less-annoying version of T.I., the standout here is definitely the banging chorus from Sammie, who's been around for a while trying to get a proper mainstream project out. This, along with the beat from Jim Jonsin, which is pretty basic but does the trick makes the track completely addictive. Although according to the writing credits Soulja Boy is also responsible for the chorus, if Sammie can get tracks like this on his album or at least as his first single, he'll definitely have one fan.

Ciara - "Secret" / "Tick Tock"

Here's a track apparently recorded for Ciara's latest project "Fantasy Ride", which would probably have appeared on the "Groove City" disc had she stuck with the original concept. The track is definitely a strong contender for the final 1-disc tracklist as were a lot of the leaked tracks we've seen. The production and arrangements, like "Supernatural" sound like something straight from my favourite R&B era - The 90s. Ciara's soft, understated vocals definitely suit this sort of laid back, sexy beat to a tee.

"Tick Tock" also fits this bill although a little more upbeat. Although the arrangement isn't amazing and the vocals sound unmastered, I love the "Miscommunication"-esque synths throughout and the funky bass guitar and electric guitar solo bringing an 80s vibe to the track. With a little editing I think this could be a really strong track, again in the concept album context.

Just a shame that so many good tracks like this were wasted in the scrapping of her 3-disc concept album.

Who Sang It Better?: Esther Dean Vs. Keri Hilson Vs. Mary J. Blige - "Stronger" [Hit-Boy, Esther Dean, Chris Brown]

Here's another unused Keri/Esther Dean track that's been picked up by another artist, (the other being the fantastic "Patron Tequila") seems that my girl Esther is getting placements for days now, and I'm glad cos she deserves it. I think vocally of course Mary kills it and the track is definitely her sort of style, that driving, positive anthem she does so well. All the girls killed it though as equally talented writers if not vocalists. Esther (or Dean as she will be known) is also planning to release her own record sometime in the future, as Marcella Araica informed us a while back on Twitter while mixing a record for her, under Polow's Zone 4 label with her first single being produced by him, so I will definitely be looking out for that.

Brandy - "Back & Forth" [Bryan Michael Cox]

Here's another track said to be from the sessions when what is now the album "Human" was first in production and executively produced by B. Cox. Its a pretty average repetitive track but as always Brandy's gorgeous vocal force brings it above average. It definitely doesn't compare to other three gorgeous tracks "Escape", "Love Me The Most" and "Bring It Back" that we've heard from these studio sessions but I would have liked to hear it as part of the whole album package, I'm sure it would have sounded dope. At least we're still getting to hear this very wasted material...

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Mario - "Good One", "Dancin' On Me" & "15 Minutes"

And yet MORE Mario tracks leak from his forthcoming fourth album "And Then There Was Me" recording sessions!

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Jennifer Lopez - "One Love" [D'Mile, A Plus - Anesha & Antea Birchett]

After the controversial Wynter-written, D'Mile-produced track "What Love Is" leaked, soon after came another D'Mile-produced track said to be recorded for Jennifer's forthcoming Greatest Hits package, this one written by sisters and former Darkchild associates Anesha & Antea Birchett, also known as A Plus. This one isn't as strong as "What Is Love" but it is still a fantastic track. I love the background arrangements on the chorus and the relaxed vibe of the production.

Although I know Jenny never delivers anything but stellar material, I'm still shocked at the quality of the tracks she's bringing to the table simply for a Greatest Hits album. Although I have all of her albums (each one I have thoroughly loved) the standard she's giving us for the new tracks on the CD are definitely convincing me this will be one GH worth copping!

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Ginuwine - "Last Chance (Acoustic Version)", "Show Off", "Used To Be The One" & "Closer"

Well this has to be one of the worst protected projects since Mario's "And Then There Was Me", although to his credit the much anticipated tracks with The Runners, Keyshia Cole and Brandy have unfortunately yet to leak!

First up is a live version of the first single from his forthcoming album "A Man's Thoughts", the very strong B. Cox-produced, Adonis-written anthemic ballad "Last Chance". Ginuwine takes us back to the 90s with his strong overdramatic vocals and the live instrumentation of drums, acoustic and electric guitars as opposed to a backing track is much appreciated.

Next is the upbeat track "Show Off" to which you can read my review of in my last post, where I talked about RL's demo of the track. Ginuwine sounds awesome on it and as always, its nice to hear another vocal on the same track.

"Used To Be The One" is much in the same anthemic 90s ballad vein as "Last Chance" although the production or arrangement is not as on point. Its a decent track but definitely not the quality I'm expecting from this album with so many tracks being recorded and leaking.

Final track "Closer" is actually rapper Maddi Madd's (WTF!) track featuring Ginuwine on chorus and bridge duties. Although Madd's rapping is average at best and annoying at worst the track's actually not that bad. It starts off with a nice 90s style a capella and continues the 90s feel with its summery production of hand claps and twinkling synths and as always Ginuwine's vocals and ad libs are on point.

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Daily Demos: Erika Nuri - "Right Here (Departed)" [Darkchild, TWC] [Brandy] & RL - "Show Off" [Oak, Harvey Mason, Jr.] [Ginuwine]

OMG I love it when demos leak to big tracks like this, especially when its Erika or Victoria's gorgeous vocals on a Writing Camp track! From the demo we can clearly see that not only did Brandy throw down as always on her arrangements and BGVs on the final track but the whol structure of it was also changed up and very effectively I must say. Considering Brandy is the master of vocal arrangements/BGVs Erika didn't do bad herself on this one it has to be said...

Also here we have RL (formerly of 90s R&B group NEXT) demoing a track recorded for Ginuwine's forthcoming album "A Man's Thoughts". At first I was expecting this to be your usual substandard ballad with the piano and slow paced vocals despite the sexually forceful lyrics and was about to press next but then Oak's influence kicked in and I was amazed to get an awesome funky electronic beat and some strong well backed and arranged vocals kicking in. Overall, a pretty strong track and definitely one of the best of the many to leak from this project.

You can hear both these demos and final versions of these tracks over @The FORUM!

Bonus Tracks: Esmée Denters - "Eyes For You" [Novel, Tony Reyes] & Elliott Yamin - "When I'm Gone" [Jermaine Dupri]

Here's a couple of much anticipated bonus tracks from the recently released projects by fantastic vocalists Esmée Denters and Elliott Yamin. We had previously heard a few LQ clips of "Eyes For You" and its pretty satisfying in full, as its produced by the ever-talented Alonzo "Novel" Stevenson with his common collaborator Tony Reyes with its laid back guitar-driven indie R&B sound and Esmée already has a similar vocal to her, I'm not surprised it sounds like its been lifted straight from Stacie Orrico's fantastic last album "Beautiful Awakening". This definitely deserved to be at least a bonus, I really hope we get more in future though, even if they're placed with other artists, so many tracks were recorded for this project so it'd be such a shame for them to go to waste!

As for Elliott's track this is the last official/known bonus to leak from the "Fight For Love" era and was probably my most anticipated, even over his fantastic renditions of James Fauntleroy's mindblowing demos "Doorway" and "Forever In You". It definitely doesn't stand up to these tracks however, I wanted JD to come a bit harder, instead he sort of molded his sound a little too much to the Neo-Soul/Rock vibe of the rest of the album instead of staying true to the funky more synthesised-based tracks he does so well. He would have been better giving it a bit more of an urban edge if he was gonna go a guitar-based beat like he did really well on Deborah Cox's "Too Good To Be True". It is a decent track however, I just had big expectations for such a dope collabo. I imagine that's Johntá on writing seen as he wrote the awesome title track but guess we'll just have to wait for official credits to know for sure.

Listen to both tracks in their respective Spotlight Sections in the sidebar >>

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Amerie - "Why RU?" [The Buchanans]

Finally we get some material from Amerie's forthcoming debut on Def Jam "In Love & War"! The long awaited first single does not disappoint in the slightest and continues from the old school rap-inspired beats of her fantastic last album. The Buchanans (who produced one of my favourite tracks "Crazy Wonderful" on her last album) use a heavy drum beat which could easily have been lifted from a 90s New Jack Swing track and Amerie's arrangements and lyrics are on point as always. The track has got me extremely excited for her album, but I should know by now, having loved all three of her previous records that she's gonna bring the heat. I cannot wait to see the Ray Kay-directed vid, which she apparently finished up filming recently, its always guaranteed hotness when two talents like Amerie & Ray Kay get together!

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TwitterNews 15/05/09: Novel/Runners/Claude Kelly/Ciara/S&K/Hit-Boy/Cristyle/James Fauntleroy/Cassie/Dallas Austin/Brandy/R-Les/Chrisette/Keri

- Producer/Singer/Writer/Rapper extraordinaire Novel '@IamNovel' was in the studio with Corron Cole from The Movement listening to tracks and finished up his session with Leona Lewis and John Shanks, he also posted some funny pics for us:

- One of my favourite production teams The Runners '@therunners' discuss who their fans want them to work with/who they are working with. Results = possibly Shakira and definitely Diddy...

- Claude '@ClaudeKelly' Kelly travels to Nashville for sessions with Hillary Lindsey & Gordie Sampson, Barry Dean, Marcus Hummon and Shanna Crooks possibly all respectively...

- Ciara '@PrincessSuperC' twits about her many photo shoots and appearances (DAMN girl is getting her promotion in!) and also told us her decisions for her latest singles. They will apparently be "Work" for Pop Radio and "Like A Surgeon" for R&B, which I'm happy about, love both tracks and have wanted a video/release for "Work" since I heard it months ago. She also had a meeting with one of my favourite video directors Melina Matsoukas about the video(s), OMG even more exciting!

- Soulshock '@SoulshockLA' and Karlin got The Backstreet Boys tracks mixed by infamous engineer Serban Ghenea. He also shared some advice Jimmy Jam (of Jam & Lewis) once gave him about making a song sound as great as possible so it gets picked as a single/album track.

- Hit-Boy '@surfclubhit' went into a session with Ron Fair, (of whom he said "i walk in to the session with ron fair and he says "oh he really is a boy" been hearing bout hit-boy for a while lol") Mary J. Blige and possibly Candice Nelson for Mary's new album [I'm guessing], exciting stuff!

- Cristyle '@CRISTYLE_' Johnson goes into a session with producers Cool & Dre...

- James '@fauntleroy' Fauntleroy went into a session once again with his group The Y's, can't wait to see if they have any tracks on Esmée Denters's album, it sounds hot from the album sampler!

- Further adding to the gorgeous 90s R&B feel of "Must Be Love", Cassie '@cassieventura' was contacted by old school Bad Boy associate producer Rashad Smith telling her he's done a remix to the track, can't wait for that, its like being back in the 90s with Bad Boy on top again... [one can only dream!]

- Dallas '@dalllasaustin' Austin promised songs to Keisha Buchanan of The Sugababes. She also confirmed they are working with Jay Brown and was listening to a Stargate & Ne-Yo track written for them. She said of the track: "Its a mid-tempo track!!! The words are very relatable:-D They are giving us a very cool backing to write to so we cant wait to start on that"

- Brandy '@4everBrandy' poses it up in some candid shots once again, this time in Switzerland:





- Ryan '@ryan_leslie' Leslie as promised went into the studio with Kid Cudi where he added his touch to an already planned out Cudi & Plain Pat track...

- Chrisette '@epiphanygirl' Michele expressed interest in working with Mario [Barrett], saying "@mariosoultruth if we dont do something together im not singing any more." How dope would that collabo be? Get on it you two!

- Finally, Keri '@MissKeriBaby' Hilson was in the studio with Trina working on a track, I'm guessing on Trina's album returning the favour [no pun intended!] for "Get Your Money Up"...

Jazmine Sullivan - Live @ MTV UK

Jazmine Sullivan - After The Hurricane (MTV Session)

Check out this awesome performance of my girl Jazmine's Stargate-produced "After The Hurricane" for MTV UK, she also performed "In Love With Another Man" and did an interview. Although she's been getting a bit of promotion here in the UK, her album still hasn't been released here and she's been too quiet otherwise for a while, I wish her album would pick up like the interest in Chrisette's did, (Did I mention she's at NUMBER 1 in the US this week? Go girl!) she was so robbed of those damn Grammies!

Who Sang It Better?: Paula DeAnda Vs. Asia Cruise - "Back From Alone" [Syience, Frankie Storm]

Yes, its that time again folks, this case features Arista artist Paula DeAnda and up and coming Jive singer Asia Cruise take on a pretty Frankie Storm arrangement. Even though Asia's voice is very similar to Frankie's, as we can hear comparing their versions of the track "Tears" (which has now been given to LeToya) I actually prefer Paula's version, she has a stronger vocal and she seems to give more to the track. It seems Asia is having all of her great tracks taken from her. She better get that album out before she has none left and hope no one takes the dope Danja/Claude Kelly/Frankie J track "Runaway" off her hands!

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Random Track Of The Week: Natalie Brown - "More Today Than Yesterday"

Natalie Brown released her debut album "Let The Candle Burn" after a few years delay and to little success in 2000. One of the tracks on that album I happened to randomly hear recently and absolutely loved. I love me some 90s R&B and this has all the makings of a classic 90s track, sultry vocals, a string backed chorus and a chilled out beat. I bought this track off iTunes and am now wanting more so think I will be getting the album off Amazon pretty soon!

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Jordin Sparks - "Battlefield" [Ryan "Alias" Tedder, The Runawayz - Sam Watters, Louis Biancaniello, Wayne Wilkins]

Here's Jordin Sparks' highly anticipated first single from her forthcoming sophomore album. Since I loved Jordin's debut then I heard her first single was gonna be produced by the ridiculously talented Ryan Tedder, I've been pining for this track and it definitely does not disappoint. Jordin takes the heavy drum and piano-led rock/R&B direction she did on previous tracks from her debut like "Now You Tell Me" with more of the vocal attitude to match it. As I always consider important on a good track the hook "I never meant to start a war..." and the breakdown "You better go and get your armour..." are absolute perfection. I love the deeper background vocals throughout as well, it gives the track even more of a rock/live edge.

Considering its produced and written by Tedder and The Runawayz, the same team (together and respectively) behind Leona's "Bleeding Love"/"Take A Bow", Beyonce's "Halo", Keri Hilson's "Energy" and Anastacia's "One Day In Your Life" I didn't expect anything less than perfection but this has definitely blown me away regardless! If this, along with Beyonce's "Halo" (which was apparently intended for Leona) is the quality of material Ryan's delivering then we won't have to worry about him following up the classic "Bleeding Love".

As always, listen in the sidebar and find more info about the album and download the track over @The FORUM.

Jennifer Lopez - "What Is Love" [D'Mile, Wynter Gordon]

Here's a new track, possibly recorded for Jennifer's upcoming Greatest Hits CD. Its a fantastic one with its stuttering synths and beautiful vocal arrangement, I love that "na na na na" vocal section, its really catchy, and it also gives me a latin chant vibe that Jenny's been missing for years. (her last latin tracks on one of her R&B albums were on "J. Lo") Jennifer always puts out the best quality material and using upcoming artist/writer Wynter shows she's once again on the pulse of the hottest talent. The fact she used The Clutch, Frankie Storm and Chasity Nwagbara on over half of her last album "Brave" shows she's not scared to use underground talent for the hottest tracks. Despite the slating it got, I doubt half the people listened to it and/or had any musical taste, because it was an excellent piece of work.

The song has been subject to some controversy after Wynter Gordon made comments on her MySpace & Twitter apparently dissing J. Lo's take on the song. However, she has now clarified her position and said she was actually angry at the record label for letting it leak and loves J. Lo as an artist. I can see where she's coming from because record companies often don't use leaked tracks on the releases they were intended for because they're considered 'old material'. It would be a real shame for this track not to make the cut though, I think it even has single potential. Plus, she'd be mad not to like it, as always, Jennifer did the song total justice.

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TwitterNews 10/05/09: Brandy/Dawn Richard/Claude Kelly/Soulshock & Karlin/Adrienne Bailon/Alicia Keys/Ciara/Danja/Osinachi/Runners/Novel/Amerie/R-Les

- Brandy '@4everBrandy' poses it up while sightseeing in Amsterdam, love her, she's so cute! She is now heading to Belgium for her next European show. Get that album/re-release out soon Brandy!







- Dawn '@DawnRichard' Richard expresses her desire to work with underground artist/actor Drake...

- Claude '@ClaudeKelly' Kelly goes into his third session with C. "Tricky" Stewart and Christina Aguilera...

- Soulshock '@SoulshockLA' and Karlin were in the studio with Alexandra once again. He also reported that the record company loved the Backstreet Boys tracks, so hopefully they will make the cut...

- Adrienne '@Adrienne_Bailon' Bailon watches Lady GaGa live and gets excited about her own live shows...

- Alicia '@superwomanak' Keys visits the WhiteHouse...

- Ciara '@PrincessSuperC' twitted about her performances of "Love & Sex & Magic" [hot!] & "Never Ever" on SNL and her skits for MTV. If you haven't seen them, Google them, they're hilarious!

- Danja '@NEWAGEROCKSTARS' did some sort of photo shoot for his N.A.R.S. label/company with Marcella 'Ms. Laigo' Araica & Kevin 'KC' Cossom...

- Writer Osinachi '@Osinachi Nwaneri puts Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins & D'Mile onto Drake while in the studio recording with Mary J. Blige. They listened to some of her album up to now and old hits...

- One of my favourite production teams The Runners '@therunners' were mixing/in the studio with Babyface's new girlgroup on Def Jam, Mahogany, Mario, Tank & Wyclef Jean...

- Producer/Singer/Writer/Rapper extraordinaire Novel '@IamNovel' flies to LA on Monday to record with Leona Lewis and John Shanks...

- Amerie '@itsmeAmerie' reveals the name of her first single "Why RU?", which she's just finished mixing...

- Finally, Ryan '@ryan_leslie' Leslie did a show at Stony Brook University with Keri Hilson and Fabolous. He listened to his new album on the way, thinking about tweaks and additions and he also goes into the studio with Kid Cudi today...

Melanie Fiona - "Give It To Me Right" Video - Anthony Madler

Here's the video for Melanie Fiona's fantastic debut single "Give It To Me Right", penned with legend Andrea Martin. Melanie looks beautiful in the understated affair, absolutely love her flowing dark locks and outfits in this one. Her album "The Bridge" is set to drop at some point this year via Universal/Motown.

Ciara - "When I" [Champ Champ/Stacy Barthe] & "Feelin' On My A" [Sean Garett/Midnight Black]

Here's the last remaining bonus tracks from Ciara's recently released third album "Fantasy Ride". We've had the demo and clip of "Feelin' On My A" for a while and unfortuntely the full doesn't change my previous thoughts that, as usual, its a steaming pile of Sean 'shitty' Garrett, if this would have made the tracklisting I would have been very angry with so many good tracks left off so I'm glad it's not even a bonus track.

"When I" however, is a track that should not only be one of the main bonus tracks but should be on the main tracklist, as it was originally intended. Up and coming writer and Surf Club associate Stacy "Stacelette" Barthe (Britney's "Blur") absolutely does her thing on the track, over Champ Champ's percolating 80s disco-inspired beat. The chorus is catchy as hell, along with the repeated "When I" throughout the track. An absolutely great track which should definitely have been on the album. Along with the different soundscapes elsewhere on "Fantasy Ride", the retro funk of "Love & Sex & Magic", the crunk of "High Price" and the dance club energy of "Work", I think this track could have fit in really well. Regardless, I'm glad we finally got to hear it.

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T.I. - "Don't Matter" (Featuring Chris Brown)

Here's a new T.I. track, I'm guessing for inclusion on his "Paper Trail" re-release. Its nothing special, I hate T.I.'s rapping style despite all the acclaim he gets, its boring and he lacks any lyrical prowess on top of that, even Chris' chorus is pretty mediocre. I'm hoping his collaboration with Polow and Mary on the track "Don't Forget" is of much higher quality.

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Redman & Method Man - "4 Minutes To Lockdown" (Featuring Raekwon, Ghostface Killah)

Here's yet another dope track from the guys' forthcoming "Blackout 2" LP, where Meth calls on his co Wu Tang Clan members. The beat, which its blaring horn loop and thumping drums is the perfect backdrop for the braggadocio-filled track where all 4 rappers deliver (as if they ever haven't) flawless raps. Can't wait for this album!

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Lil' Wayne - "Triggerman" (Featuring Madonna) [Clip]

Here's a random ass collabo if there ever was one! I really wanted to hate it because its so random but its actually a pretty decent track, I like the electro-inspired beat which is important on a Wayne track cos I hate his voice, it sounds like a rip off of Bloodshy & Avant's "Radar". You can't actually hear Madonna's vocals on this clip so I guess the juries still out on if she's on it or not. I'm just wondering if its for Lil' Wayne's forthcoming rock album "The Rebirth" or what?

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Omarion - "Giving My All To You" [L.T. Hutton, K-Young]

Here's another Omarion track, they're slowly leaking from this project. The track is pretty nice with its laid back summery production but nothing that leaks after "Comfort" can come close to such a fantastic track. This is a decent track, I just hope Timbo has a big part in his album and it is true that Omarion is signed to MMG.

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Tynisha Keli - "Hype Me" [MaddScientist, Kasia Livingston]

Here's an unreleased track from Tynisha's recently released album, which I still haven't had chance to listen to. MaddScientist's production is on point as always, and has his usual distinctive sound and I love the background vocals/arrangements on the chorus.

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