Sunday August 10th, 2003

 

New CD's this past week:

- Javier - Javier
- Impromp2 - Definition of love

 

Music news stories this week:


LSG Debuts In The Top Ten With 'LSG-2'

R&B singers Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat, and Johnny Gill, collectively
known as LSG, released their first album in six years last week, LSG-2.
The set debuted at Number Six on the Billboard 200 albums chart this
week after selling more than 66,000 copies in its first week, according
to Nielsen Soundscan.
Recently said spoke with group member Gerald Levert who said that the
group re-convened because the fans were asking for it: "The main reason
why we did it was because of the fans. You know they kept asking about
it. So it had an impact on people that we really wanted to re-invent it
and bring it back to, you know, the forefront. If the impact is the same
we'll do another one."
The group recently released the second single from the set, "Shakedown,"
which is presently Number 29 on the urban AC Radio & Records National
Airplay chart.
Levert shared that if he had his way "Shakedown" would have been the
first single: "There is a song on the album called 'Shakedown' that I
preferred to be the first single because it put you more in the mindset
of 'My Body,' and I thought we should have stayed there in that thing,
but 'Friends' was a great song."
Levert also took the opportunity to explain why Loon was the only guest
artist featured on LSG2: "Except for Loon not a whole lot because of the
fact that the last time we tried to have guest artists, you never can
get them to come out and do shows with you."
LSG-2, which is the follow-up to the group's double platinum 1997 album
Levert Sweat Gill, features the production of Mike City, Stephen
Russell, and Darrell "Delite" Allamby.


Beyonce Knowles Says Solange Not Joining Destiny's Child

When Beyonce Knowles returns to Destiny's Child to record with the group
again she won't be bringing her little sister Solange along with her.
Knowles, who has become a superstar with her film career and her debut
solo set Dangerously In Love, told Rolling Stone that her sister won't
be joining Destiny's Child as the fourth member.
"She's busy working on her own stuff," Beyonce told Rolling Stone. "Her
lyrics are incredible. I don't know where she gets her ideas."
Solange has appeared with the group in the past. She has opened for the
trio, and she filled in when Rowland broke two toes in 2000. Solange
also released her solo debut, Solo Star, in January.


Alicia Keys Locks In Nas, Rakim For New Album

Alicia Keys has been hiding out so much lately, her fans might be
wondering, "How come you don't call me anymore?"
But folks will soon be hearing from the sultry crooner. Keys, who's been
clandestinely recording the follow-up to her 2001 debut smash, Songs in
A Minor, has finally set a release date for the effort: November 18.
What Keys and her label haven't confirmed yet, however, is a title.
"It's a very conceptual album goin' on," Keys said. "It's really
personal. It's kind of a journey inside, into my mind, into everything
that's going on in the world and how that affects us as people."
The singer was coy when describing the musical style of the album,
saying only, "My love affair continues with the piano."
Keys does have a couple of collaborations on the album. She wrote and
produced one song with Easy Mo Bee and Dwayne Wiggins of Tony Toni Toné.
Another song finds Keys joined by the improbable combination of rappers
Nas and Rakim. Keys is particularly enthusiastic about that track since
it's the first time both legendary rappers have ever been on a song
together. Keys has worked with Nas before, though, guesting on "Warrior
Song" from his last album, God's Son.
The singer has been giving visitors to her Web site a sneak peek at the
recording process through photos and video clips, and in a chat session
with fans she confirmed that a live favorite, "If I Ain't Got You," will
be on the new album.



Late Barry White Honored By Isaac Hayes, Jermaine Jackson, And Others

saac Hayes and Jermaine Jackson were among the stars who paid tribute to
the late Barry White in South Los Angeles on Saturday (August 2), during
a memorial service where a park recreation center was renamed in his
honor. The soul music legend with the booming baritone died on July 4 at
the age of 58.
He'd been sick since 1999 and died in the hospital waiting for a kidney
transplant. At the dedication ceremony, Isaac Hayes said, "He loved the
music and he loved love. He deserves this tribute."
Several thousand fans joined White's family for the event in L.A.'s
South Park area, where White grew up. His wife, Glodean, said, "I know
that Barry would be very proud. This is a great honor, and I can't think
of any greater tribute to his memory than the dedication of this
facility and to celebrate his life and music."
Contemporary R&B singer and 2 Fast 2 Furious movie star Tyrese was also
on hand and said, "A lot of our parents created us listening to Barry
White." He then sang a pair of White's songs to a backing track.




112 and Jagged Edge Plan Joint Tour To Prove Who's Atlanta's Baddest

For years we've heard about 112 and Jagged Edge jousting for bragging
rights over which group could make the most ladies scream, who put out
the hottest hits and who really had Atlanta on lock.
All those questions are still a matter of opinion, but according to 112,
fans may soon get the chance to see which act has the most engaging live
show. The quartet says plans are underway to have the groups tour
together starting in October.
"Let's be real, controversy sells in the game," 112's Mike said earlier
this week, addressing the perception that his group and Jagged Edge have
beef. "R&B singers having beef? That's crazy - but we see that as an
opportunity to make money. You're saying, 'We the baddest in Atlanta.'
We're saying, 'We're the baddest in Atlanta.' Let's prove it. People
wanna see that. People wanna see controversy."
Despite both groups being from the land where throwing them 'bows in
moments of crunkness is commonplace, there won't be anyone coming to
blows if the tour actually takes place. Mike says neither camp harbors
any real ill will toward the other.
"We feel that's just friendly competition, ain't nothing wrong with
that," Mike iterated. "[It's the] Lakers versus the Celtics. That's the
way we look at it. One of the questions was who was gonna be the opening
act? So we figure if we switch - one night they open and one night they
headline - that might work out. We feel like whatever it's going to take
for this tour to work. One night we'll open for Jagged Edge. It's no
problem for us."
112 are also looking at possibly taking Joe Budden and Monica out with
them on the road. Three weeks ago, the foursome flew down to Jamaica to
film the first clip from their Hot and Wet LP, "Na Na Na Na" with Super
Cat (see "112 Team Up With Joe Budden, Super Cat On New LP").
"The video, man, it's real cool," Mike gloated. "It's real gutta. A lot
of cats will go to Jamaica and they get the commercial end of Jamaica.
We were really in the woods in a real dancehall, just vibing with the
people. It felt so good to be around all those beautiful black people
loving our music and receiving us.
"Super Cat," he started to add about the group's guest on the song. "Let
me tell you something, it's Bob Marley and then it's Super Cat. Bob
Marley introduced us to reggae and [brought] the Rastafarian way of life
to America. As far as hip-hop is concerned, Super Cat brought that
element to Jamaica. ... Man, that homeboy was walking around like the
Don Dada. ... The people around him was just paying homage."
Hot and Wet drops on September 23. The video for "Na Na Na Na" has just
hit the air.



Pink Trying Out Try This As Title Of Next LP

Details on Pink's upcoming album have been hard to come by this summer -
until now. Due in stores on November 11, the singer's album now has a
tentative title, Try This.
The track list is still under wraps, but the first single - also
tentative - will most likely be called "God Is a DJ," an energetic,
melodic pop song that merges Pink's exuberant dance-floor energy with a
grinding, rock edge.
On the hook, Pink sings, "If God is a DJ, life is a dance floor, love is
a river, and you are the music/ If God is a DJ, life is a dance floor,
you get what is given, it's all how you use it."
During an internal Arista Records event in New York on Tuesday, label
president Antonio "LA" Reid said he was blown away with Pink's vocal
prowess on her new material, particularly the emotional ballad "Catch Me
While I'm Sleeping." "She's really showing off her vocal talents on this
album," Reid said.
While Pink has remained mum on Try This, others have spilled some of the
beans. Songwriter Linda Perry, who worked with Pink on her multiplatinum
Missundaztood, confessed that she was again collaborating with the
singer. She indicated that the songs this time around would be much
lighter emotionally than on the last .
Rancid's Tim Armstrong has said he's been writing songs with Pink, but
when asked about it recently, Pink said, "I don't tell who I'm working
with yet." Pink's reps would also not confirm his involvement.


Usher Confesses

The new album from Usher, Confessions, will now be released on November
18. Usher's fifth album was previously scheduled to drop on the singer's
birthday, October 14. ...

 

News 2003

News 2002

News 2001