SONY URBAN & HIP HOP

There may be a bit of a divergence from our main theme as we delve into the Urban and Hip Hop releases from Sony.

So-Urban Click here for So-Urban's own site - So-Urban So Urban Home page

Scroll down for reviews of the following:-

Omarion – O

Michael Jackson – The Ultimate Collection

Lemar – Time to grow

411 – Between the sheets

Reminisce – R&B Classics

Jill Scott Beautifully Human

Jamie Scott

DJ Kayslay – the Streetsweeper Vol 2: Pain from the game

Michelle Williams  -  Do you know

Sweetback - Stage 2 - Epic

Lemar - Dedicated

Bow Wow - Unleashed - Columbia

Kindred the family soul  - Surrender to Love

B2K- Pandemonium - Epic

Introducing Vivian Green - Love Story (Full Album)

Nasir Jones - God's Son - Columbia

 

Hitch

Jennifer Lopez - rebirth

Xzibit – Weapons of Mass destruction

Nas – Street’s Disciple

Destiny’s Child – Destiny Fulfilled

Raymond & Co – Playing Games

John Legend – Get Lifted

Nas 10 year Anniversary Illmatic Platinum Series

Lil’ Flip – U gotta feel me

B2K- You got served  - OST - Epic

Jagged Edge  - Hard - Columbia

DJ Kay Slay -  The Streetsweeper Vol 1

Macy Gray - The Trouble with being myself - Epic

Kelly Rowland - Simply Deep - Columbia (Full Album)

Kelly Rowland - Simply Deep - Columbia (Sampler)

Bone Thugs N Harmony - Thug World Order

Barber Shop - Music from the Motion Picture- Epic

Isley Brothers – Taken to the next phase

X-Ecutioners - Revolutions

Dead Prez – RBG:Revolutionary But Gangsta

Bravehearts  - Bravehearted -Columbia

Wyclef Jean  -  Greatest Hits - Columbia

Beyonce  - Dangerously in love

Ginuwine -  The Senior

Urban Essentials - Volume 2

Will Smith - Greatest Hits - Columbia

Big Brovaz - Nu Flow (Album) Epic -

Xzibit - Man vs Machine

Jennifer Lopez - This is me ...then - Epic

Introducing Vivian Green - Love Story - Columbia (Sampler)

 

 

Omarion – O http://www.omariononline.com/

Now due out on July 11 -

I first heard this a while ago when in the US and spent quite a long time on the listening booth feeling this but I din’t feel compelled to buy it, and then I wished I had, and now with its UK release it is availbale readily. Comparisons aboun I guess Usher, mario and so on but I feel that former B2K’s Omarion has something to offer that is different, and this is a really good album, consistent all the way through. 

 

I wish is pretty instant, pretty formulaic but devoid of too much fronting and is quite good. Touch is catchy.  So the first two tracks build into the signature O which extends more vocally, slow beats, great track. I’m Tryna though is probably the hit, more radio potential as it will compete with the main contenders out there.  Drop the heater goes into mainstream clubland and by comparison is poor. Of that ilk Take it Off is better. Never gonna let you go I like, it picks up old school EWF harmonies and some heavier funk backbeats.   

 

The album can be lyrically strong and growing pains is such an example on a questioning ballad.  I know is a midtempo thing but the album closes in real downbeat mood with O excelling on these slow jams, 4 tracks of mellow and then some. I’m gonna change is the best.

 

A very good album indeed.

 

 

Tracks:- 1. I WishMusic, 2. TouchMusic, 3. OMusic, 4. I'm TrynaMusic, 5. Drop That HeaterMusic, 6. Growing PainsMusic, 7. Take It OffMusic, 8. Never Gonna Let You Go (She's a Keepa) - Big BoiMusic, 9. I KnowMusic, 10. I'm Gon' ChangeMusic, 11. In the DarkMusic, 12. Slow Dancin'Music, 13. Fiening YouMusic

 

 

Hitch www.hitch.com

 

Not a bad soundtrack at all, a mix of old and new and one or two exclusive cuts.  For Example, Amerie’s 1 Thing which is not getting a release till later this year- Interesting but not particularly brilliant.  Next up is the great John Legend with an excellent version of Stevies Don’t you worry bout athing..  Also ex B2K Omarion features on the fine Never gonna let you go.  Next interesting feature is EWF with Kelly Rowland and Sleepy Brown, which is a killer cut a mix of old skool harmonies and new R’n’B.

 

The rest is a mix of old and new, a remix of Turn me on.  All good stuff.

 

MusicMusic1. Amerie “1 Thing” ListenMusic ListenMusic 2. John Legend "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" ListenMusic ListenMusic 3. Earth, Wind & Fire featuring Kelly Rowland and Sleepy Brown "This Is How I Feel" ListenMusic ListenMusic 4. Mark Ronson featuring Ghostface Killah, Nate Dogg, Trife Da God and Saigon "Ooh Wee" ListenMusic ListenMusic 5. Heavy D & The Boyz "Now That We Found Love" ListenMusic ListenMusic 6. Meleni Smith "Happy" ListenMusic ListenMusic 7. The O'Jays "Love Train" ListenMusic ListenMusic 8. The Temptations "I Can't Get Next To You" ListenMusic ListenMusic 9. Jimmy Cliff “You Can Get It If You Really Want” ListenMusic ListenMusic 10. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas "It's Easy To Fall In Love *(With A Guy Like You)" ListenMusic ListenMusic 11. Earth, Wind & Fire "Reasons" ListenMusic ListenMusic 12. Omarion "Never Gonna Let You Go (She's A Keepa) ListenMusic ListenMusic 13. Kevin Lyttle "Turn Me On (Low Tide Remix)" ListenMusic ListenMusic

 

Jennifer Lopez – Rebirth http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/jenniferlopez/rebirth/

 

J-Lo’s 4th studio album produced by Cory Rooney. A mix of some popular R’n’B and lusg ballads.  The singles are obvious get Right and Hold you down. 

 

J-Lo gets funky on Whatever You wana do  and the Prince-esque Cherry Pie and it’s OK too. Still around is a midtempo soul ballad which is probably my pick of the album, bit on th epop side though.  Ryde or die is a bit more intense. I love is a fine ballad to.

 

Doesn’t set the world on fire, but nothing bad on it, starting to find her own niche I feel rather than following trends.  In the words or Randy it’s a’ight.

 

REBIRTH:

1. Get Right
2. Step Into My World
3. Hold You Down feat. Fat Joe
4. Whatever You Wanna Do
5. Cherry Pie
6. I Got U
7. Still Around
8. Ryde Or Die
9. I, Love
10. He'll Be Back
11. (Can't Believe) This Is Me
12. Get Right feat. Fabolous

 

Xzibit – Weapons of Mass destruction http://www.mtvbase.co.uk/mtvbase.co.uk/xzibit.jhtml  http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/xzibit/womd/

 

The blurb replicated below pretty much says it all (for a change!). This is a deep and strong album, but most of all it’s pretty darn good.  Laden with soulful beats it hangs together musically as well as lyrically. Setting the scene with the intro and Lax before hitting a great track in Cold World, lazy mellow, soulful hip hop with strong messages, one of the top tunes of the year.

 

The hit and hard tunes are hear to in Mutha***** and hey Now, these will probably sell the album but for me aren’t anywhere near the best tracks.  The best ‘pumpin’ track is Criminal set.

 

The collaborations go well especially Strong Arm Steady featured on two tracks.

 

Next excellent track is Judgement day complete with gospel organ.

 

Conceptually provoking and concluding with the parallel in the world of hip hop.  Top stuff.

 

 

“There are moments in an artist's career when it's obvious that his time has come. That the planets and the forces of the universe have aligned to unleash an energy and creative determination that's impossible to deny.

For Xzibit, that time is now and he has ushered it in with Weapons of Mass Destruction, the hip-hop artist's fifth full-length album. Pre-loaded with the high impact, bass-blessed, aggressive, street-hardened, West Coast hip-hop that his fans have come to expect, Weapons of Mass Destruction finds Xzibit digging deeper into his soul to create scorching salvos that get the party started while setting fire to your intellect. As Xzibit himself puts it, "I want people to hear this album and enjoy it. Laugh with me, cry with me, dance with me and think. This is one strong record."

Xzibit gets that strength from joining forces with some notable producers and artists. On board for the ride are Ric Rok, Rockwilder, Thayod, Hi Tek, Khalil, Denaun Porter, Sir Jinx, Battlecat, Jellyroll and Timbaland as well as MC Lyte, Busta Rhymes and the members Xzibit's other project, Strong Arm Steady. The end result is an album that takes no prisoners, pulls no punches and delivers a pure jolt of funkdafied, rugged wisdom. Ask Xzibit what he hopes fans will hear this time around and he answers, "Growth. This album is where I am as a man and a father and somebody who's got some experience under their belt. I've got a lot to say for being such a young man and since my first album came out when I was 19, I've had the luxury of growing with my audience. "

2004 has seen Xzibit expand that audience as the host of the top rated MTV show "Pimp My Ride." His participation came about because of his long time patronage of West Coast Custom and when the owners of that renowned Cali body shop were approached about being the subjects of a MTV series, Xzibit's name came up as a potential host. A pilot was shot and the rest is, if not history, then certainly one of MTV's most entertaining and popular programs. "Pimp My Ride," which kicks off its second season this fall, gives viewers an opportunity to see into Xzibit's personality. His skills as a host have garnered him an entirely new fan base, which he loves. "I was at Target and this woman who must have been over 50 comes up to me, says, 'Oh! I love "Pimp My Ride!"' That's the best thing. That's positive to me or like when little kids recognize me? That's fun!"

It's not just on the small screen that Xzibit has been honing his thespian chops. Following his cameo in the box office smash "8 Mile," look for Xzibit to appear, alongside Ice Cube, in the forthcoming sequel to “XXX” entitled “XXX State of the Union.” When asked if his interest in acting means that he will be studying Shakespeare, Xzibit shakes his head, saying, "Nah, music is my backbone but acting is something I'm really getting into.”

“Tough Guy” on Weapons of Mass Destruction, is notably a stand-out track. Produced by Hi Tek, "Tough Guy" features Busta Rhymes on a cut that Xzibit describes as "…me and Busta in the studio dropping orangutan slang and just beating up the mic." Boasting verses such as "I rock 2 glocks/I call them Barney and Fred," "Tough Guy" is as raucous as it is relentless.

Back on board is Ric Rok, who handed Xzibit the monster "Motherfucker." Laced with a steady, clapping backbeat and anchored by a terse, descending chorus, "Motherfucker" is just what the title suggests and allows Xzibit to unleash his vocal power. "I like to make aggressive music, I like to express myself," he confesses. "That's the way I like to perform because then you can give out a certain energy."

Xzibit keeps that energy level sky high on the compelling "Cold World." Produced by Jellyroll, "Cold World" breaks down three real life scenarios ranging from a young woman dealing with her sexuality to a child living in Iraq. Driven by its insistent hook, "You got 2 choices, you can just give it up or just die with it," "Cold World" is close to Xzibit's heart because its content allows him a chance to give something back. "I can't really tell someone what they should be rapping about but let's just say that I am aware of my surroundings and because of that there's a lot of things on this album that are going to be topical," he explains. "'Cold World' deals with circumstances that are beyond your control and that are heavy to deal with, but you've got to be able to relate to the music and that's what I'm trying to do: give some example of where I believe we should go with hip-hop."

Xzibit has been blazing his own path since he first stepped to the mic and in 1996, he secured his own deal and released his solo debut At The Speed Of Life. The album instantly became an underground sensation as did his 1998 follow-up, 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz. Both albums helped secure Xzibit's position as one of the West Coast's most promising and fiery young talents.

Xzibit made the leap from underground to center stage when, in 1999, he joined Snoop Dogg on the Dre-produced hit, "Bitch Please." Xzibit's next move was the posse cut, "Some L.A. Niggaz," on Dre's The Chronic 2000. Impressed with his flow, Dre brought Xzibit on board for 2000's heavyweight "Up In Smoke" tour, which also featured Snoop, Eminem and Ice Cube. That winter Xzibit made his move courtesy of Restless. Executive-produced by Dre, Restless spawned the chart-topping single, "X," and was certified platinum. After a two-year break, Xzibit went for it full-on once again with his high-profile Man Vs Machine. That album struck RIAA gold and Xzibit increased his visibility by hitting the road on Eminem's hugely successful "Anger Management" Tour. Always keeping one foot in the underground, Xzibit balanced his mass appeal by also working with West Coast heroes Tha Liks and Ras Kass.

Now with a new attitude and focus, Xzibit returns to the ring, ready to duke it out with anyone who dares to hold him back or stand in his way. Ask Xzibit how'd he categorize himself and he'll tell you, "My music is always evolving, always changing. If you're a good artist that's what you're gonna do and I feel I did that on “Weapons of Mass Destruction”."

 

Nas – Street’s Disciple

 

Yes Nas never cease to come up with the goods, something innovative and fresh.  Here we get the Blues connection with father Olu Dara.  Altogether a much more reflective and mellow, grown up Nas, but it ain’t the worse for that.  Less threatening from the last album but still intense and provoking in places.

 

Some great collaborations, kelis the best for me – American Way is standout, but great to see Maxwell (when does his album hit the streets!), also Scarlett, Quan, Emily, Busta, Ludacris, Doug E Fresh, Keon Brice. Big up’s To These are our heroes, as CD1 reflects on the world and the position in the world, as Cd gets on to more personal things.  There are a number of tracks that do it for me including Live now featuring Scarlett, Bridging the gap because it is different and it work, the aforementioned Kelis track, you know my Style, UBR and Virgo with props to the e arly days of Hip Hop, and the balladic War.

Nas - Street Disciple

Released 29th November - Pre-order here!
Everyone who pre-orders this album will automatically be entered into a free competition to win an exclusive, one-off, framed presentation disk to celebrate the release of Nas' Street's Disciple album.

1. Get Up
2. Nazareth Savage
3. Play On Playa
4. Just A Moment
5. Serious
6. Rest Of My Life
7. You Know My Style
8. Titalating
9. Reason
10. American Way
11. Sekou Story
12. Suicide Bounce
13. Street's Disciple PT.1
14. Rakim Bio
15. Remember The Times
16. Perfect Bitch
17. Getting Married
18. Bridging The Gap
19. War
20. Me & You
21. No One Else In The Room
22. Live Now
Bonus Tracks:
23. Disciple
24. Thief's Theme
25. *Thief's Theme UK Remix feat. Rising Son*

 

Destiny’s Child – Destiny Fulfilled

Hugely disappointing for me.  I happen to feel that there is a huge amout of talent in here, but it is all wasted on a formulaic, contrived offering.  Ok it will probably seell by the bucketload but I do not think it will have any lasting effect whatsoever.  The press rlease states that lessoms have been learned from there solo excursions.  I would argue exactly the contrary – in terms of artistic development the solo projects were far and above this.  In marketability however I guess I would have to concede. I don’t think that tere is one track that I feel at all, maybe Girl

 

1. Lose My Breath
2. Soldier
3. Cater 2 U
4. T - Shirt
5. Is She The Reason
6. Girl
7. Bad Habit
8. If
9. Free
10. Through With Love
11. Love
12. International Bonus Track: Game Over

 

 

Michael Jackson – The Ultimate Collection

 

57 Audio tracks including 36 major chart hits, 13 previously umissued, UK and US Archive rarities. Pemiere DVD of 1992 Bucharest Dangerous Tour – Deluxe Box set 64 page booklet, rare photography, personal memorabilia, chronological timeline, complete discography, linner noteds by Nelson George

 

say no more- just get your letters to Santa written.

 

 Track Listings
Disc: 1

1. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
2. ABC - The Jackson 5
3. I'll Be There - The Jackson Five
4. Got To Be There
5. I Wanna Be Where You Are
6. Ben
7. Dancing Machine - The Jackson 5
8. Enjoy Yourself - The Jacksons
9. Ease On Down The Road - With Diana Ross
10. You Can't Win

11. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)
12. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)
13. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
14. Rock With You
15. Off The Wall
16. She's Out Of My Life
17. Sunset Driver (Demo)
18. Lovely One - The Jacksons
19. This Place Hotel - The Jacksons

Disc: 2

1. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
2. The Girl Is Mine - With Paul Mccartney
3. Thriller
4. Beat It
5. Billie Jean
6. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) (Demo)

7. Someone In The Dark
8. State Of Shock - The Jacksons
9. Scared Of The Moon (Demo)
10. We Are The World (Demo)
11. We Are Here To Change The World

Disc: 3

1. Bad
2. The Way You Make Me Feel
3. Man In The Mirror
4. I Just Can't Stop Loving You - Siedah Garrett
5. Dirty Diana
6. Smooth Criminal
7. Cheater (Demo)

8. Dangerous (Early Version)
9. Monkey Business
10. Jam
11. Remember The Time
12. Black Or White
13. Who Is It (IHS Mix)
14. Someone Put Your Hand Out

Disc: 4

1. You Are Not Alone
2. Stranger In Moscow
3. Childhood (Theme From "Free Willy 2")
4. On The Line
5. Blood On The Dance Floor
6. Fall Again (Demo)
7. In The Back

8. Unbreakable
9. You Rock My World (with intro)
10. Butterflies
11. Beautiful Girl (Demo)
12. The Way You Love Me
13. We've Had Enough

Disc: 5

1. Jam
2. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
3. Human Nature
4. Smooth Criminal
5. I Just Can't Stop Loving You
6. She's Out Of My Life
7. I Want You Back
8. I'll Be There

9. Thriller
10. Billie Jean
11. Working Day And Night
12. Beat It
13. Will You Be There
14. Black Or White
15. Heal The World
16. Man In The Mirror

Lemar – Time to grow, released November 29 www.lemar-online.com

I’ve got a lot of time for Lemar, who probably doesn’t get through to the purists because of the way he was catapulted into the scene.  However most of his output is or contains a good element of quality Soul Music.  None more so than the plea o be a Soulman, greta driving soul dance track.  But even downtempo on Better than this the soulful quality comes through.

Complicated Cupid is another track that could get the soul rooms pumping.  All I ever do is also quality. Again only a sampler to go by but it sounds pretty good to me.

The rest is here as below, and not disappointed.  Beter than this is a great track in my view but the quality doesn’t let up.  Great stuff, and all written by Lemar.


Release Date: 29th November, 2004

    

1. Soulman

 

2. It Don't Get Better Than This

 

3. I Don't Mind That

 

4. What If

 

5. Call Me Daddy