Sunday September 7th, 2003
New CD's this past week:
None to report
Music news stories this week:
Freddie Jackson's Next Move
Freddie Jackson has a new life, a new
attitude, and a new album A
consummate performer, he has managed to weather the tempestuous climate
of stardom and maintain his status as a pop icon. He drops his new
album, "It's Your Move", in October 2003, a move that is certain to
delight his legions of loyal fans as well as garner many new fans.
"It's Your Move" is a seductive blend of soaring ballads and hot
mid-tempo grooves that teases and delights the senses like a flirtatious
lover. Jackson's "I Do" is the new classic love song extolling the
virtues and values of true love. Although Jackson keeps his sound
contemporary, the first single "You Only Get One Love" delivers a
nostalgic fix for those fiending for just a taste of the vintage Freddie
Jackson.
The Harlem native has proven his staying power with the record for the
most No. 1 urban chart singles in the 80s. He dominated the airwaves
with his 1985 double platinum debut album, Rock Me Tonight.
Flash forward to the new millennium. Jackson's latest venture, "It's
Your Move", explores the complexity of love and the human spirit.
"The new album is a testament of love and time and experience,"
explains
Jackson. He recorded the album in Clearwater, FL. The inspiration was
flowing and it took only a month to complete.
The result is a 10-track cd showcasing Jackson's growth as an artist. It
deftly captures a contemporary R&B edge with "How About Us" which
has
the earmarks for success in the clubs while "Over and Over Again" is a
beautiful mix of longing and hopefulness a perfect fit for a Quiet Storm
hit.
Jackson returned to his writing roots on the new cd and penned nine
tracks. No stranger to creating lyrics, Jackson has written for Lilo
Thomas, Howard Johnson and Melba Moore.
In this new millennium. Jackson's latest venture explores the complexity
of love and the human spirit.
"The new album is a testament of love and time and experience,"
explains
Jackson. He recorded the album in Clearwater, FL. The inspiration was
flowing and it took only a month to complete
Jackson has since circled the globe headlining his own tour and has
performed with such notables as Jeffrey Osborne, Ashford & Simpson, and
most recently Dionne Warwick, one of his favorite singers. He continues
to tour and enjoys a huge following in Europe.
As with the evolution of many icons, there comes a time when they have
to take the reigns and control their own destiny. Jackson has new
management ME Entertainment and a new record label, Martland
Entertainment, where he is part shareholder. More importantly, he shares
ownership of his master recordings. His recent cleaning house includes
shedding 107 lbs.
Aaliyah's Mom Asked Psychic To Contact Deceased Star
Aaliyah's mother Diane Haughton asked
celebrity psychic John Edward to
contact her daughter, according to the psychic's new book, After Life.
Haughton had a private session with Edwards in a New York hotel last
February in an attempt to contact Aaliyah, who was killed in a plane
crash in August of 2001, according to New York's Daily News.
Edward told Haughton during the session, "I need to make sure that you
know that she's okay ... and she's making me feel like it's really
important that you know she appreciates everything you tried to do and
that you continue to do."
Edward also shared that Haughton may have some unreleased material from
Aaliyah. According to Edward, Haughton said, "I have a CD that only I
have."
In related news, Aaliyah's label, Blackground Records, released a new
single, "Don't Know What To Tell Ya," to coincide with the second
anniversary of her death last month. The song is the latest single from
Aaliyah's posthumous release, I Care 4 U.
Vandross Live Album Due Next Month
R&B legend Luther Vandross' last sold
out concert at Radio City Music
Hall in New York City, on February 14th, 2003, was recorded and has now
been compiled into the singer's first-ever live album, which will be
released on October 14th. The album, titled Luther Vandross Live at
Radio City Music Hall, features the Number One R&B hits "I'd
Rather,"
"Never Too Much," "Stop to Love," "Take You Out,"
and the Grammy
Award-winning track "Here And Now." Other live versions of songs
include
"Superstar," "A House Is Not A Home," "Love Won't Let
Me Wait," "Glow Of
Love," "If Only For One Night," and "Creepin'."
Vandross and his
longtime musical director Nat Adderly, Jr. produced the album.
Adderly said in a statement, "All of us involved are doing our best to
make Luther proud of his first live album. It hasn't been easy on many
levels to do it without him. Nevertheless, I have to say that everyone
is really going to love this album and that it is turning out amazing.
It sounds like Luther is right there in the room, a real wow and a must
have for anyone who loves him."
Vandross, who has been hospitalized since suffering a stroke last April,
is slowly making progress on the road to recovery, according to recent
news reports.
The live album comes on the heels of Vandross' 15th album, Dance With My
Father, which debuted at Number One on the Billboard 200 albums chart in
June, after selling more than 442,000 copies. The set is the singer's
fastest selling album to date.
Jagged Edge's Kyle Norman Turns Himself In
Jagged Edge's Kyle Norman turned himself in
to the DeKalb County
sheriff's office on Wednesday morning (September 3), surrendering almost
a week after officers turned up an assortment of drugs, weapons and cash
during a sweep of his Decatur, Georgia, home.
The R&B singer, accompanied by his attorney, reported to the county jail
around 10 a.m., according to a sheriff's office spokesperson. Norman was
booked and sent to wait in jail until his arraignment Wednesday evening.
Norman was not in Decatur when DeKalb
authorities arrived at his home
Thursday to serve him with an arrest warrant for his part in a local
theft ring. Instead, police discovered a 13-pound bag of marijuana, two
guns and $6,000 in cash (see "Jagged Edge Member A Wanted Man").
Seven people on the premises were arrested and were arraigned on Monday.
All will face another hearing on October 24. It is not known what their
specific relationship to Norman is.
Norman is expected to face an array of felony charges related to the
marijuana as well as the original charge that he was the recipient of
stolen property.
Bobby Brown Freed From Prison But Still Under House Arrest
R&B singer Bobby Brown was released on
Friday, August 29th, after
serving seven days of a 14-day jail sentence, according to AP. The
singer had been jailed on August 22nd for violating the terms of his
probation from a drunk driving conviction. Brown hasn't completed his
legal obligations, as he will be under house arrest for the next sixty
days, and must still undergo a drug assessment. In addition, the singer
must perform 200 hours of community service.
Brown was also back in court on Friday to answer several charges
stemming from a November 2002 arrest. The singer entered a no contest
plea to the charge of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana and
having no proof of insurance. Brown pleaded guilty to driving with a
suspended license and speeding.
Brown was ordered to pay $1450 in fines by Judge Calvin Graves and to
serve 20 hours of community service, which will run concurrently with
the 200 hours Brown has already been ordered to perform.
Janet Jackson And Jermaine Duppri Are Finished
R&B singer Janet Jackson and hip-hop
producer Jermaine Dupri are a done
deal, according to New York's Daily News. The pair, who have been dating
since late last year, have reportedly parted ways. A source told the
Daily News that Jackson dumped Dupri by phone last week.
The source explained, "Janet loves Jermaine. She respects his talent and
enjoys his friendship, but the romantic fireworks died for her. Jermaine
was there for her during a really tough time in her life, when she was
divorcing Rene Elizondo. But now she's ready to move on."
Earlier this year, Dupri, who is an executive at Arista Records, shared
how he felt about Jackson with Honey magazine, "I love being around her!
When I'm with her I don't think about anything else. She's a very
beautiful person."
Calls to Dupri's representatives at Arista Records were not returned at
press time.
Rhian Benson Set To Open Shows For Brian
McKnight
Sultry singer-songwriter Rhian Benson is setting out on her first major
U.S. tour as the opener for R&B/pop star Brian McKnight. The tour kicks
off tomorrow, September 3rd, at Minneapolis's The Quest. The tour will hit
20 markets before wrapping up September 30th in Seattle at the Moore
Theatre.
Born in Ghana, raised in India, and educated in London and Boston, Benson
was originally working in banking before deciding that her true calling
was music. With her first single, "Say How I Feel," currently climbing
up
the urban AC radio charts, McKnight felt that Benson's elegant, soulful
style would be a good match for his own smooth stage show. Also playing on
some of the tour dates will be Vivian Green, Floetry, and Mya.
Benson has performed a number of select club dates around the country, but
the tour with the multi-talented McKnight will be her first major trek and
she says she is really looking forward to it. Speaking from a California
rehearsal hall right before the tour, Benson said: "I'm so, so excited. It
still hasn't really settled in yet, the reality of what's about to happen.
It's such an honor, I'm a huge fan of his, have been for a long time. And
it'll be a great opportunity to get out there and share my music with
people who haven't heard of me yet."
Rhian's debut CD, titled Gold Coast, is set to come out on October 7th.
The O'Jays Break Into Movies
When the new Cuba Gooding, Jr., movie, The Fighting Temptations, opens
nationally next month, expect to see the big screen acting debut of
legendary soul performers, The O'Jays. In the movie, Gooding plays a
struggling New York ad executive who must create a gospel choir to claim a
family inheritance. After 40 years in the entertainment industry, the film
marks the first character roles for O'Jay veterans Eddie Levert and Walter
Williams in a movie, but it's certainly not their first exposure to gospel
music. Both spent their youth as choir members at St. Mark's Baptist
Church in Canton, Ohio, where William's father was choir director.
While the Paramount film is rated PG-13 for some sexual references,
61-year old Levert says it's a family film, loaded with great music. The
movie is slated to open nationally September 19th.
Cast members attending include: Beyonce Knowles, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Steve
Harvey, Melba Moore, Reverend Shirley Caesar, and The O'Jays.
Levert and Williams are also writing a book about their lives, due out in
next year, and Williams told Reuters that he is working on a solo album of
Nat King Cole tunes that he has long dreamed of.