Weekly PHEast Of Hot Tracks
Truth Hurts feat. Rakim -"Addictive"
Can't stand the old Indian songs mom always played at home? Imagine those same songs being sampled into an extremely hot beat underlying melodic vocals with Rakim, the man with the master plan. This track is going to be everywhere shortly - grab it while it's hot!
B-Rich - "Whoa Now"
Whoa is right! B-Rich incredibly pulls off rhyming over The Jeffersons' theme song to create an undeniably catchy, hand-clapping, knee-slapping, booty-smacking hit.
Naughty By Nature feat. Carl Thomas - "Naughty By Nature"
Naughty's Back with Carl Thomas and Cab Calloway. If your curiosity isn't tickled enough, I assure you that you won't be disappointed. This track is unmistakably unique and bangin'... Jersey!
The Clipse feat The Neptunes - "Grindin'"
This joint is on something new. Real simple and packed with bass, this one is a grimy heater. The rapping isn't anything crazy, but the beat will hook you before you even think about who's talking.
Ruff Endz - "Someone to Love You"
Phew, Ruff Endz has dropped another hit after their last one-hit album. This mid-to-slow tempo ballad should have been in the singles section a lot sooner, but its not too late to grab this goodie from Ruff Endz. For all you lovebirds, or PHEllas who have an eye on someone special, definitely check this one out.
Joe Budden - "N.B.A."
I don't know whether to shake my head or congratulate Joe for being original. If the rhymes in this weren't as clever as they are, I'd shake my head. But, props to Joe for making even the NBA theme song hot. On a side note, RasKass has also been heard rhyming on an interpretation of the NBA theme song featuring Xzibit.
Amerie - "Why Don't We Fall in Love"
What a voice this PHEmale has! It's always nice when the voice can shine on a track even when the beat is killer. Columbia's new beauty Amerie is undoubtedly due to cause some ruckus in the near future so be the first on your block to check out her debut single off her debut album due sometime in the near future.
PHEatured Albums
Glenn Lewis - World Outside My Window (Epic): (5/5 stars)
Fifteen tracks of pure bliss is Glenn Lewis' new album in a nutshell. Contemporary R&B/soul with a neo-soul and classic R&B/soul twist is how this record's vibe is best explained. Considering that this a debut album, Lewis is able to show us so many sides of his incredible talent. The maturity in his lyrics shines bright in every song while he shows he is flexible enough to sing over everything from old school ballads to up-tempo, more contemporary tunes.
The word on the street is that Lewis sounds like the legendary Stevie Wonder. Even Jill Scott has been quoted, saying, "his voice is a story inside itself." Lewis' amazing range is wonderfully able to harmonize and blend in with background vocals of soft and loud intensities like he was a hot knife on a buttery track. His lead hit single, "Don't You Forget It," is a great track to catch a mainstream audience, but don't think the track can displays all his abilities. His next single, "It's Not Fair," will show a softer, slower, instrumental, and more classical side of Lewis.
The whole album is very complete and is definitely a "Start to Finish" kind of album. If you're still unsure, check out "This Love," "Lonely," "One More Day," "Beautiful Eyes," "Take Me," "Sorry", and... oh whatever... just get the darn album! All the tracks are highlights! -Phe
Ashanti - Ashanti (Murder Inc.): (3.5/5 stars)
As the intro to this album plays, I'm reminded of the hot tracks that this young lady has been on: from Cadillac Tah's P.O.V. City Anthem to Fat Joe's What's Luv, to J. Lo's I'm Real (I hope y'all didn't think it was Jennifer Lopez singing that hook), Ashanti has already established a strong track record. Finally this first lady of Murder Inc. gets to come to the forefront and showcase her talent in her debut self-titled release.The lead single from the album, "Foolish," has been blowin' up in videos and on radio. The song focuses on Ashanti's inability to walk away from an abusive relationship, while also reminding fans of Biggie's "One More Chance (remix)". On later tracks, entitled "Happy," "Baby" and "Rescue," Ashanti further details the ups and downs of relationships. The majority of this album is introspective and Ashanti's ability to articulate her feelings is one of its strengths.
While the stories of relationships gone good or bad are from a woman's perspective, this is definitely an album that appeals to both sexes. Tracks like "Movies" get the fellas wondering what flick Ashanti's down to watch this coming weekend, while "Dreams" gives you that "I Believe I Can Fly" feeling. From beginning to end, this album is full of tracks that either get your head nodding or your hands lighting candles to prepare for the night's activities. Don't be "foolish," go pick up this album.
Tweet - Southern Hummingbird (Gold Mind/Elektra): (4/5 stars)
Oops, here we go again talking about Tweet. While Timbaland and Missy Elliot are behind her, you won't be getting those bouncy, club-bangin' beats we've become accustomed to on this album. With Southern Hummingbird, Timbaland produces a number of smooth, silky, melodic beats that fit perfectly with Tweet's sensual voice. Right off the bat, the album starts off with two of its hottest and most sexual pieces, "My Place" and "Smoking Cigarettes." While these tracks highlight the heights and depths of relationships, Tweet also manages to enlighten us into the world of self-love with her lead single, "Oops, Oh My." Other highlights of this album include a duet with Bilal, entitled "Best Friend," and "Call Me," a ballad about Tweet being ready to "chill" with her male friend whenever he wants, so they can "do something." While the typical Timbaland beats are not overpowering throughout the album, they do rear their head on tracks such as the bouncy "Make Ur Move" and the laid-back "Drunk." This album is an easy and pleasurable listen. Part of this has to do with Tweet's voice; the rest has to do with the album just being that good. Timbaland and Missy definitely came upon a gold mine with this hummingbird.
