SONY BMG - 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 BMG.
So-Urban Click here for So-Urban's own site - So-Urban So Urban Home page
Scroll down for reviews of
the following:-
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Omarion – Entourage Clipse ft Pharrell – Mr Me to Fantasia – Hood Boy Omarion – Ice Box Monica – Everytime tha beat drop Joe ft Papoose – Where you at Bow Wow ft Chris brown – Shortie like mine Jamie Foxx ft Kanye West – Extravaganza Chris Brown – Yo (Excuse me Miss) Ginuwine – I’m in Love Jamie Foxx ft Ludacris - Unpredictable Matisyahu – King without a crown – Epic/Sony BMG T Pain – I’m Sprung – Jive SonyBMG Sly & Family Stone – Different Strokes by Different
Folks Jagged Edge ft Voltio
– So Amazing Jem – Wish I Cassidy – I’m a hustla Destinys Child – Stand up for love |
Shayne Ward – No U Hang Up Mario – How do I breathe Amerie – Take Control Justin Timberlake ft TI – My Love Ciara – Like a Boy Lemar – Tick Tock Lemar – Someone should tell you Luther Vandross - Shine Lemar – Its not that easy Outkast – Morris Brown Justin timberlake – Sexy Back Christine Aguilera – Ain;t no other man Omarion – Entourage Maria Lawson – Sleepwalking Beyonce ft Jay Z – Deja Vu So- Urban – New Year Sampler R Kelly – Burn it up Soul Searching Lina – Raheem
Devaughn, Babyface – Lyfe Jennings |
R Kelly ft TI
& T-Pain – I’m a flirt Joe – If I was your man Collie Buddz – Come around Beyonce & Shakira – Beautiful
Liar Ciara – like a boy Clipse ft Slim Thug – Wamp Wamp Jagged Edge ft Jermaine Dupri -
Stunnas Outkast – Idlewild Anthony Hamilton – Everybody Rhymefest – Fever DMX – Lord Give me a sign Outkast – Mighty O Chris Brown – Gimme That Remix
ft Lil Wayne T- Pain – I’m in love
with a dancer Chris Brown – Yo (Excuse me
missy) – Jive/SonyBMG DMX – We in here –
Columbia/SonyBMG Bow Wow ft Ciara – Like you Jamie Foxx ft Ludacris -
Unpredictable Beyonce – Check on it Rhymfest – Brand new Angie Stone – I wasn’t
kidding John Legend – So High
ft Lauryn Hill Alicia Keyes - Unbreakable |
Shayne Ward –
No U Hang Up – Syco Music
Released 24 Sept 2007, quite a pleasant midtempo, catchy infective, just
nice really!
Mario –
How do I breathe -
www.so-urban.com/mario
A selection of remixes, Full Phatt ft
Rhymefest, Alister Whitehead Club Remix. Both are Ok though the vocals do
seem at bit hurried on eth club mix .
Omarion – Entourage www.so-urban.com/omarion
Some remixes of Entourage, B&B SoulBoy Remix, Wookie Remix,
and the album version.
The Wookie version is, well a Wookie mix, but it is the one that
does it for me, aggressive and throbbing in an electro kind of way.
R Kelly ft TI
& T-Pain – I’m a flirt
Joe –
If I was your man
Collie Buddz
– Come around
Beyonce &
Shakira – Beautiful Liar
Ciara –
like a boy
Clipse ft
Slim Thug – Wamp Wamp
Clipse ft
Pharrell – Mr Me to
Almost spoken Rap, very low key but actually pretty good, probably
only strong eough for an album rather than stand alone as a single.
Fantasia ft
Big Boi– Hood Boy
Winner of American
Idol 3 kicks off her self titled 2nd album with Hood Boy, the first
and opening track, and featuring Outkast’s Big Boi. Heavily
playlisted and with good club plays and specialist radio. A good hook to hang on to, feel good song but
I feel she could do better with more vocal product.
Omarion
– Ice Box
The face of B2K and
star of You got Served, and following his No 1 album O
Omarion is back with a new tune produced by timbaland, and from his new album. A fine beaty ballad with some good vocals and a good hook, mellow
grooving R’n’B.
Monica ft Dem
Franchize Boyz – Everytime tha beat drop
Monica returns with
a Jermaine Dupree produced snap R’n’B track, I liked Monica but
this is typically given the producer sadly formulaic and tired
Joe ft
Papoose – Where you at
Probably one of the
most anticipated albums of 2007 from which this is a prelude to. Basically a
ballad but beaty enough for R’n’B plays but vocally good enough to
be accepted by the more discerning soul crowd, sounds good to me.
Bow Wow ft
Chris brown – Shortie like mine
Still only 18 Bow
Wow seems almost a veteran and his accomplishments to date have been meteoric,
here a track from the new album Prince of Fame he teams up with Chris Brown,
which is a good thing as this embellishes and gives polish to the track.
Ciara –
Like a Boy
Out on 2 April -
From her No 1 billboard album The evolution, produced by Pharrell, Rodney
Jerkins, pollow and Will I Am, but like a boy is co produced by Ciara and
newcomer Calvo, Remixes by Kardinal Beats and Soulseekerz. Sadly none of the mixes do much for me but
the soulseekerz dance mix is probably the most fun.
Lemar –
Tick Tock
Wasn’t sure
about this initially but it is a grower, has a nice easy summery flow to it.
Lemar –
Someone should tell you Remixes –
Several mixes from
Kardinal Beats, Allster Whitehead and Michelle Chiavarini, Lemar can’t do
much for me, hesticks to his guns and is a quality vocalist, and even comes up
with a Kardinal Beats remix that I actually quite like, stripped down and mellowed
out with an atmospheric edge. The Alistair whitehead dance mix sounds pretty
old hat really, and Michelle Chavianini holds it better, but the track
doesn’t need either in my view.But the straght album track is pretty
strong on its own!
Amerie
– Take Control
Back with take
Control with backing from ceelo, this was written by Ceelo and Amerie, and
comes from her new album expected on 30 April. Sady pretty average
R’n’B fare and I expected better,
Justin
Timberlake ft TI – My Love
Follow up to Sexyback,
produced by Timbaland, Justin and Nat Hills from the Number 1 album
Futuresex/Lovesounds.
Jagged Edge
ft Jermaine Dupri – Stunnas
Released 2 October,
taken from the self titled album which is out now. A party anthem celebrating the fun you can have
wearing Sunglasses!!! Jagged Edge, twins Brian and Brandon Casey Kyle Norman
and Richard Wingo have put together some really top stuff, they are better for
me on the more vocal harmonied rather than the tub thumping material.
Outkast – Idlewild
Speakerboxx sold one milliion copies in the
As always diverse, original and essential, theres always
so much to listen to, like on the Train which isn’t my style of rap,
there’s some wonderful things going oin, the horns, the gospel chorus,
the scratching and more making it after all a great track.
Luther Vandross – Shine
Released on September
25, produced by Jam and Lewis and taken from forthcoming album, The Ultimate
Luther. Well, this
has been creating a buzz for a little while and getting lots of plays in the
foremost venues but, and it saddens me to say this, it does absolutely nothing
for me, right from the first hearing.
Perhaps the initial hype was too overwhelming – it just sounds
like a poor mash up to me with the Forbidden Lover sample. Catchy
and undeniably Luther but good? – well by his
meticulous standards regrettably no.
Lemar – Its
not that easy
Released 4 September, and Lemar is
growing in stature with every new album, this from the forthcoming third
album. Lemar retains creditable to a
purist soul crowd, retains a youthful appeal, and stays strong to Soul Values. A
fine ballad with stromg vocals and a gospel leaning – the album version
is strong and soulful, the 5AM remix extenuates the
posite, but Kardinal I’m afraid does little.
Outkast – Morris Brown
Release date 4 July, Andre 3000 and Big
Boi returnwith a brand new album and their own unique sound – this will
be the first commercial single. Its quirky upbeat and very catchy. It’s a Big Boi track featuring Scar and
Sleepy Brown and from the soundtrack (to their own film) Idlewild.
Justin timberlake – Sexy Back
Released 28 August, produced by
Timbaland from forthcoming album Future Sex/LoveSounds, wil feature gust
appearances by Snoop, TI and Three 6 Mafia.
Fraid this is so formulaic it goes
nowwhere for me.
Christine Aguilera – Ain;t no other man
Released 31 July and destined for big
things already getting massive plays, produced by DJ Premier (Gangstarr).New
album hits the streets on 14 August.
This mixes old skool hip hop and some jazz and blues with old skool saoul
sample. Its OK,
Omarion – Entourage
Released 21
August, a strong club tune already getting plays, produced by the Underdogs
(Alicia Keys, Mario, Bow Wow) – sort of a Stevie Funk vibe. Nice cut.
Maria Lawson – Sleepwalking
Released 14
August, X Factor Comntestant Maria Lawson’s debut single. She has co written her debut album with
Christina Aguilera, Kelly Rowland and Natasha Beingfield. Gabrielle and Lemar on
BV’s. Just pure pop I’m afraid, the only nice thing being
the ChiLites sample on the Kardinal Beats Mix. The Roger Athelston mix is much
better, bit harder, nice horns.
Beyonce ft Jay Z – Deja Vu
The first single
from thsecond album B Day features Jay Z and co production by Darkchild. Released on September 4. Funky uptempo and especially nice funky horns,
giving a slightly different feel to whats gone before, but still unmistakenly
Beyonce. So I like the Rap, the horns, the vibe but as always I’m afraid
I find the vocals flat.
Anthony Hamilton – Everybody
Tune from the
excellent Anthony Hamilton, again suitable for the summer with images of lazy
hot summer days chillin with a Red Stripe.
First single from Ain’t Nobody Worryin.
Rhymefest – Fever
Second
DMX – Lord Give me a sign
First single out July 24 from the
new Year of the Dog again album. Complete with slamming beats, heavy hook,
pleading conscientious lyrics. Will it
be strong enough to follow his unprecedented and unique past success, probably
but lacks maybe on the groundbreaking/originality front to reach suh high peaks
Outkast – Mighty O
From the next
project the Idlewild movie, released later in the summer and sees the duo
actually working together (as opposed to together serarately!). It’s kind of alright but doubtless will
come further to light in due course with all the images, videos and so on. Just about stands up on its
own.
Chris Brown – Gimme That Remix ft Lil Wayne
Chris continues to
be a top artist right now,
T- Pain – I’m in love with a dancer –
Released 31 July 2006
This actually is not
as bad as the title might suggest, its pretty much a
love song, delivered on top of some nice acoustic guitar. Tpain wries sings
raps and produces, on here he sings quite well.
Catchy summery song.
Jamie Foxx ft Kanye West – Extravaganza – Sony
BMG
The second single,
released on 19 June 2006, the two big hitters on one, sort of easy, beaty and
some nice piano and string orchestration but doesn’t really go anywhere
Chris Brown – Yo (Excuse me Miss) – Jive
Records – Remixes
As I said below this is quite sweet and catchy, the Johny Douglas
remix paces it up a notch and hardens it, giving it almost a steppers vibe,
some nice horns hidden back.
Ginuwine – I’m in Love – J Records
Released 8 May 2006, single from the forthcoming album Back II Da
Basics, his 5th Epic/Sony album. Remixes by The Remix King ft Jimmy
Screech and Roger Althelston. I really wanted to connect with this because
I’m a big Ginuwine fan, but I found it lacking somewhat, the sparse, rap
free club mix is the beat, though,along with Jamie under I am feeling the Roger
Altheston mixes these days as they bring out a kind of good feelin vibe.
Jamie Foxx ft Ludacris – Unpredictable – J
Records
Released 10 April
2006 - From the Unpredictable album, featuring Ludacris and set to an easy
reggae style beat and catchy hook on the Mayhem Reggae Mix. Catchy and summery vibe, and the reggae feel works quite well. The Roger Altheston mix is pretty good,
streets ahead of the radio edit.
Matisyahu – King without a crown – Epic/Sony
BMG
Release 13 March
2006. Getting big
plays and lots of hype, exploring his Jewish religionand the issues of today
through his music. Jewish style vocal and reggae-isg feel. The debut album is to be released on 22 May.
Matthew Miller
‘Matisyahu’ hails from Pennyslvania and attended a strict Hebrew
schooling, who identified with hippie kids in his
class and develpoed an interest in music. This hybrid of faith and influence of
hip hop soul and reggae is unusual, Remix by Mike D of Beastie Boys, live
and studio versions.
This was hitting big
time when I was in the States recently, getting lots of plaudits amongstthe
people I was seeing, so I checked it out.
I have to say im not really feeling it, can’t see anything
particularly original in it apart from the direction it is coming from.
T Pain – I’m Sprung – Jive SonyBMG
The latest to emerge from the dirty south and the first to sign to
Akon’s Konvict label. First Single from debut
album Rappa Ternt Sanga. Catchy song based on own experiences. Born in
Bit of an Akon feel
so will appeal to his fans, complete with the gimmicks on the vocal. Pretty harmless but hardly earth shattering. Hardens up a bit on the dancehall mix.
Chris Brown
– Yo (Excuse me missy) – Jive/SonyBMG
Hot from smash Run
it, released on 24 April 2006. produced by Andre Harris and Vidal Davis who have produced
Usher, Alicia, Destiny’s, Mariah and Mary J. Just call that girl Yo. This is quite sweet,
building a niche with an oK voice and some catchy bits, this will undoubtedly
hit big time.
DMX –
We in here – Columbia/SonyBMG
Newly signed to
Sly & Family Stone – Different Strokes by
Different Folks
The vinyl album
sampler contains 4 tracks. Family Affair features John Legend, Joss Stone ansd
Van Hunt and is the pick of the bunch retaining its mellow sophisticated and
anthemic qualities Running away with Big Boi and
Sleepy Brown and Killer Mike, is in the same kind of vein until it hits the hip
hop break, nice horns as well.
So- Urban – New Year Sampler
Very nice comp especially side a featuring the soulful side with
three great tracks, especially ginuwine. All three tracks hang together well, nice
beats, great songs showing that there is still soul in the year 2006.
Anthony Hamilton
– Sista Big Bone; Ginuwne – Want U to be; Jagged Edge –
Ghetto Guitar
The B side is more
R’n’B, pumping R’n’b at that with a couple of remixes.
Youngbloodz is the best enhanced by the now familiar tones of Akon
Three 6 Mafia
– Stay Fly Remix ft Slim Thig Trick Daddy & Project Pat; Peety Pablo
– Give it up; Young Bloodz – Presidential Tha Remix ft Akon
Bow Wow ft Ciara – Like you
Produced by Jermaine
Dupri and number one on many pre charts, but this is pretty straigtforward not
offering sufficient freshness.
Jamie Foxx ft
Ludacris – Unpredictable
First single on J Records, a big seller in the
Beyonce –
Check on it
From the greatest hits (Destiny’s Child) album features
Slim Thug from
Jagged Edge ft Voltio
– So Amazing
From the forthcoming album Jagged
edge, out in February or thereabouts.
Punchy and club styled R’n’B produced by Jermaine Dupri, cut
in a Reggaeton vibe which is so hot right now, but overall too formulaic and
disappointing
R Kelly – Burn
it up
Another R’n’B reggaeton thing, he just
can’t resist a phase can he, and from TP3 album. Produced by Dominican
reggaeton production team Luny Tunes. Kelly adds a catchy commercial
vocal style to it, will get club plays and sell big but ‘fraid
don’t like it.
Rhymfest –
Brand new
Fresh from his grammy win for co
writing Jesus Walks with Kanye West and from forthcoming album Blue Collar on
Allido /J, this is the first single. Kicking up big style and with a background
of battle Djing and mixtapes already has a big following. Witty and punchy and
more than a hint of old skool hip hop this one is kicking up a storm and
rightly so.
Angie Stone –
I wasn’t kidding
A brand new track taken from the
forthcoming album Stone Hits, The very best of Angie Stone. Well Angie is my favourite current female
artist bar none, and this track is not only welcomed for that reason but
principally because it is good and well up to standard. Once again top notch.
John Legend –
So High ft
Lauryn Hill
Released November 28 and featuring Laryn’s first
appearance in two years. A simple melody with Lauryn
beautifully complimenting John’s easy style. Coming hot on the heels of seeing
John’s excellent performance in
Alicia Keys –
Unbreakable (track)
From the forthcoming unplugged album which was recorded
back in July at The BAM Harvey Theater.
Alicia was responsible for getting a lot of people to realise that Soul
was on its way back. This though is a bit of a filler. I am sure it was a great performance and it
is good but doesn’t reach the height sof her
‘proper’ albums.
Alicia Keys –
Unbreakable (album) http://aliciakeys.com/index.html
My comments on the 12” above can be pretty much
reflected here as well. It’s all
OK and actually would probably be better as a DVD with visuals as well _ maybe
it is! – but I prefer the straight albums.
Soul Searching
<img src="http://s2.excoboard.com/forums/13017/user/121125/219521.jpg">
The Soul Searching Series will kick off with Vivian Green
– Vivian, Lyfe Jennings – Lyfe 268-192, Raheem DeVaughn – The
Love Experience, Babyface – Grown & Sexy, Line
– The Inner Beauty Movement. I am truly excited that a major has at long
last decided to put a push behind this kind of project as I am sure it is the
direction to go. Lot of these tracks
have been on my playlists for a while especially Lyfe Jennings which I have
been playing since its
Tracks on the sampler are 3 from each artist plus 3
remixes.
All three Vivian tracks are quality Gotta
go gotta leave, Sweet thing and sweet Memory. The Poker Face Remix of I like it
though is only OK.
Lyfe’s laid back storytelling tones feature on Must
be nice, Stick Up Kidd and Smile, and I just love this
kind of R’n’B – the Tops in my view. The Remix of Must be Nice features Nas. Smile being the best track if asked to chose.
Raheem DeVaughn’s Love Experience, you and
especially the wonderful until (with its Isleys sample prominent) are all fine
tracks indeed. The best remix on here is Guess Who Loves U More.
So that is the best 3 artists on show, Babyface being just
a touch behind but unfortunately I cannot get into Lina though I do accept that
the album is getting there but I and apparently she can shake off that early
career ‘voice’ which I really didn’t like to much.
Babyface tracks are She’s
International, Sorry for the stupid things, Good to be in love, and Lina
Leaving You, Around the World and Smooth.
Jem – Wish I -
http://www.jem-music.net/ukindex.html#
Released 12 September, the 3rd
single from the emerging British talents of Jem. Wish I has proved
enormously popular through th eprogramme
Cassidy – I’m a hustla http://www.cassidymusic.com/
Controversila
second album released on 8 August and follow up to Split personality. Guset appearances by Mary J Blige, Nas, Quan,
Mario, Swiss Beatz, Neo Da Matrix, DJ Scratch, LES and Hot Runner.
Gritty and conceptual album, moving quite a few steps
forward over the last one. So long featuring
Mashonda and Reakwon is hot, great vibes and flowing lyrics. Bboy stance is as you’d expect more old skool, harder and a dancehall favourite for the
turntablists.
Can’t
fade me features Nas and Quan and is a mellowed down hip hop of the highest
quality. Get Em ft Swiss Beatz is also a top track. Some great tracks (one or two throwaways
though – like say Bellybutton) but all in all a prett good album.
Destinys Child
– Stand up for love
Not a bad ballad at all, written by David Foster and
probably the best epic ballad the girls have done.
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