PHENOMenal Singles to get GIDDY About
Remy Shand - "Take A Message"
Imagine Maxwell. Now imagine him learning how to play every instrument known to man. Then imagine him producing, writing, and arranging all of his own work. Now imagine he's white. This is Remy Shand, Motown's newest addition to their Neo-Soul roster. His first single, "Take A Message," is causing quite a stir in the urban music industry and his album is bound to create the same excitement.Choclair - "Light It Up"
Canada is taking over! OK... well, maybe not. But, with the likes of Choclair, Remy Shand, Glenn Lewis, Kardinal Offishall, and Tamia (just to name a few), one could make a case for Canada's music scene. Choclair's lead single on his new album Memoirs Of Blake Savage is bound to cause some commotion. A wise man once said, "Yo, that song is mad chill... that's hot right there." Who am I to disagree to with a wise man?Musiq Soulchild - "Halfcrazy"
One "Lisn" and you'll be singing "La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La" right along with Musiq in his first single off Jusslisn due out late May. Phenom and Giddy are going "Fullcrazy" for this mid-tempo R&B joint. You know we'll hit you with more info on the album shortly.Method Man and Redman - "Part 2 (Remix)"
I'm definitely PHEelin this Megahurtz remix of the track that highlighted the How High soundtrack. The original version included a somewhat tired Toni Braxton sample, whereas this joint is nothing but flames. You know Meth and Red wouldn't want their joints anything but smokin'.4th Avenue Jones - "Do Re Mi"
For all those on the less commercial rap tip, 4th Avenue Jones' new album No Plan B is going to be a huge hit. "Do Re Mi" is a laid back rap/hip-hop track that brings with it serious heat. The group uses this track to ruminate on some real issues facing their lives, rather than the standard "bling bling" and "smoke cheepa cheepa" we so often hear.Isyss feat. Jadakiss - "Day and Night"
Can you say radio-friendly? Phenom smells a serious 94.5 and 97.7 FM hit here. Isyss' powerful yet soft vocals coupled with Jada's rugged flow keep the mid-tempo to upbeat rhythms hot for both sexes. Be sure to pick up this track now before you hear the radio playing the heck out of it.Let's Gid Geared Up For these Goodies
Brandy - Full Moon (Atlantic)
It's been four long years since Brandy Norwood released her latest album, Never Say Never. Although it's been quite a while since her last full release, she was gracious enough to whet our appetites with a hit duet with Monica, "The Boy Is Mine." On her new album, Full Moon, we see the growth that occurred while Brandy was out of the limelight. Her first single, "What About Us," produced by Rodney Jerkins, and "I Thought" highlight this change, focusing on the empty words and promises of a former boyfriend.While Brandy takes time to express her pain of the past, she also manages to capture her happiness and joy. In "He Is," Brandy talks about that special someone who is everything to her - producer and songwriter Robert Smith. "Full Moon," the story of love at first sight, has a hot bass line that gets your head bobbing immediately. Other highlights of this album include the poppy "Anybody" and "Another Day In Paradise," a duet with Brandy's younger brother Ray J.
While the first half of the album is more up-tempo, the second half is laced with ballads and more R&B oriented cuts. Brandy's strong voice and help from super-producer Jerkins make this album an easy listen. There's no need to fast forward to another track - just put this CD in and press play. If the first single off this album is any indication of what's to come, Ms. Norwood might just be sittin' on top of the world.
X-ecutioners - Built From Scratch (Loud Records)
"Two tables, two turntables and a microphone, that's how it started..." exclaims Large Professor on the second track of this album, entitled "XL." Not only does this line highlight the significance of the title of this album, it also refers to one of the core elements of this thing we call hip-hop. While a DJ compilation is nothing new to the music industry, the X-ecutioners (Mista Sinista, Total Eclipse, Roc Raida, and Rob Swift) manage to bring together the best of both worlds - great scratching and great lyricists such as Kool G. Rap and Evidence.
While this album does feature original cuts, the highlights come where these four DJs scratch over classic songs or underground hits. "Genius of Love," featuring Biz Markie, has the rapper emceeing over the Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love." If that reference doesn't ring a bell, think of the beat from Mariah Carey's "Fantasy" featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard. "Yall Know The Name," which features Xzibit, Pharoahe Monch, Inspecta Deck and Mad Skillz, cleverly uses the hook from Pharoahe's "Simon Says." This album appeals to lovers of hip-hop, but the X-ecutioners also attempt to cross the bridge and make their mark on the alternative side of music by collaborating with Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park. Although the mention of this rock-influenced track leaves some surprised, it's a surprisingly strong track that highlights the talent of all the collaborators.
Other artists featured on this album include M.O.P., Big Pun, and Everlast. While many in the music industry are concerned with pushing the envelope and being evolutionary, the X-ecutioners bring the genre back to its roots with this album that effortlessly blends rhyme and rhythm.
