Maxwell

Maxwell’s forthcoming album trilogy ‘Black Summers’ Night,’ may be the most anticipated album since Michael Jackson followed “Off the Wall with “Thriller”…maybe not that extreme but if you’re a diehard Neo-Soul” fan like myself, you know that this album places itself firmly within the niche for which he practically created.  “Neo-Soul” for all intents and purposes is basically R&B, Soul, Jazz and a l’ill sumthin sumthin of bohemian flavor mixed in. Its emergence arguably, can be traced to jazz notables the likes of Miles Davis and Coltrane developing and morphing itself through Marvin Gaye’s social conscious and activism (“What’s Going On”). When Maxwell released “Urban Hang Suite” in 1996, he was in the proverbial “perfect storm” where R&B listeners were again craving for a deeper meaning to their music. Since then, Maxwell has taken us on a blissful journey through “Embrya” (1998) and “Now” (2001) with the standout hit “Lifetime”. Fast forward to 2008.  7 years without a Maxwell hit…that’s on biblical proportions like a 7 year drought. But now the rain cometh…a 3 disk trilogy ‘Black Summer’s Night’, with ‘Black’ due to release in late 2008 early 2009, ‘Summer’ in 2010 and ‘Night” in late 2010 or early 2011. This release of the highly anticipated fourth album however, won’t happen without proper foreplay from Maxwell’s part. Maxwell will prepare his audience with the 26-date ‘Black Summer’s Night Pre-party Tour Celebration’. Instead of simply releasing a single and video, he elected instead to perform it live… Says Maxwell, “I’ve been working on and off on the ‘Black Summers’ Night’ trilogy and thought the best way to debut it was to take it direct to the people. Nothing beats a live show. You can’t mp3 it. You can record it on a camera phone, but it’ll never duplicate the raw experience of being there. In this day and age, we need that, and I need that.” Maxwell elaborates that the show won’t entirely consist of new material…”A few new songs from ‘Black Summer’s Night’ will be included in the concerts, but rest assured that as much as I want to, I won’t bombard people with material they don’t know.” There will, however, be a few unexpected numbers, including a cover of Al Green’s “Simply Beautiful” and “an extra one that represents my love for Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z. It’s not what you think though- I’m not a rapper, and I won’t rap, but when you hear it,” explains Maxwell, “it’ll make sense!”…Personally speaking, I don’t care if he samples Milli Vanilli, it’s guaranteed to quench our thirsts. - Joel

Pink

 

“So What?” is the question that I asked myself surrounding all the hype behind her video single “So What”? but after really watching it…I had to admit that it grew on me. Pink, who had recently separated from her husband Carey Hart earlier this year has been busy at work recording her new album, due to release October 28. You can feel the energy in her video and understand the relevance of the video. “So What?” isn’t just an energy filled track but her declaration of liberation and rebellion. “So What?” also marks her return to working with Max Martin who produced Pink’s 2006 Singles, I’m Not Dead,” ‘Cuz I Can,” and “Who Knew”. The Video “So What”, also marks her recalibration with director Dave Meyers, who produced “Stupid Girls,” which spoofed Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson and Lindsay Loan, The new album will have 12 tracks with “So What?” already holding down one of the top most requested videos. If “So what?” is an indication of what we’re about to expect and the majority of her tracks live up to the benchmark that she already set with “So what?”…Pink will be the new black!

Red Cafe

PAPER TOUCHIN (REMIX) w/FAT JOE/JADAKISS/FABOLOUS

“Paper Touchin (Remix)” will most likely go down as one of the standout collaborations for 2008 with appearances by Fat Joe, Fabolous, and Jada Kiss. The beat, hook and appearances really carry it, making it a banger. However, Red Café’s delivery doesn’t add any fire to the track. Red Cafe would be better served staying on the mixtape circuit where he received more rotation with his collaborations with DJ Envy, DJ Whoo Kid and Clinton Sparks.

T.I

T.I.’s album entitled “Paper Trail”, was so named because of his return to writing lyrics on paper instead of committing them to memory. He abandoned this style of “penning lyrics” after his first album,” I’m Serious”…It appears that T.I.s time dealing with the gun charges has reignited a fire within him. T.I.  has never lacked a swagger, and it shows in the opening track, “I’m Illy” In “Ready for Whatever”, T.I. talks to us about his legal problems. The second single released from “Paper Trail”, What Up, What’s Haapnin” addresses his ongoing beef with Shawty Lo. There’s two personalities speaking to us here just like in T.I vs. T.I.P… On one side, theirs the searing beats and lyrics that crowned him “King of the South”, then theirs the side that aims to please in “Whatever You Like”. The album is strong through and through and should answer his critic’s questions if he can retain his crown. For what he has been through in the last year, “Paper Trail” is as much for him as it is for us”

Maino

 

 

“Hi Hater (Remix)” Ft.,T.I., Swizz Beatz, Plies, Jadakiss and Fabolous is the first single from Maino’s debut album “IF TOMORROW COMES”. “Hi Hater” may be the beginning of the East Coast’s resurgence in the rap game, but Maino isn’t the one that’s going to lead it, he’s along for the ride with this track and two more at best.

JOE Thomas “New Man”

JOE Thomas, “New Man”, released September 23 with little fanfare. By the time many of his long time fans realized the impending release, two singles, “E.R.” and “Why Just Be Friends” were already in circulation…undoubtedly, a product of poor handling by his new recording label, Kedar Records. Pity, New Man is vintage Joe. He has stayed consistent to his roots of powerful vocals, marinating mid-tempo riffs and crescendos’ that propelled him to being a benchmark for R&B crooners. His new album has tinges of his 1996 album “All That I Am”, and his more recent 2000 album, “My Name is Joe”. New Man includes 11 songs and 5 Snippets from his forthcoming album due to release February 10, 2009. Joe has a virtual roll call of “Who’s Who” for producers and songwriters collaborating this album to include Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Sean Garrett and D Mile; which produced Janet Jacksons “Feedback”. Even with this prominent gathering, some songs fall short of the mark and simply “goes in one ear and out the other” without evoking any emotional response. The 5 Snippets on the current album gives a hint to the tone of his next album…that coupled with a Pre-Valentine Day release indicates the follow-on album will be laced throughout with ballads and mid-tempo tracks, again…possibly an outcome of leveraging more artistic freedom with his new label. All said, the album is still strong however, whomever’s conventional wisdom and marketing strategy led them to include five, 1 minute snippets on his current album as a teaser for the forthcoming album needs to understand the habits of music listeners. A snippet over 20 seconds is no longer an appetizer but part of the main course. Joe Thomas would have been better served to rid his album of the more lackluster tracks and supplement it with a few of the stronger snippets. I have already played out his snippet tracks “Friends Don’t Let Friends…”, “Sex Girl” and “Wanna Be Your Love” even before the actual album has dropped…so will there really be a need to purchase the upcoming album in February?…Absolutely. Joe Thomas has been such a centerpiece in most R&B aficionado’s collection since the mid-90’s that we owe it to him to support his work and see what his new collaboration and artistic freedom with Kedar Records will bring.- Joel