|
|
|
Take A Listen
Hot Releases |
| The Adventures of Seymour Liberty - COULTRAIN (Jujudust Music)
“St. Louis is red hot. St. Louis is red hot.” I have held off on writing about this CD for months and months, primarily because it isn’t as accessible as most of the music that is featured on the site. (i.e., not available via Amazon.com, iTunes, etc.) However, this CD is too good not to share with the masses. The Adventures of Seymour Liberty is easily my favorite release of the year. Hands down. The debut from St. Louis’ own Coultrain is R&B ecstasy. The strength of the CD lies in the musical production, lyrics, and vocals. The music has a distinct 70s R&B sound but it is modern in its execution and delivery…not at all a throwback. One is immediately drawn in by the familiarity of the soulful vibe yet also blown away by its contemporary sound. (Kind of like the feeling you got the first time you heard Bilal’s 1st Born Second or D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar.) But the music would not be nearly as impactful as it is without Coultrain’s deeply personal lyrics and engaging voice. Whether its dealing with life’s challenges or grappling with the ups-and-downs of love, Coultrain lays it out there as only he can on such tracks as “Playin’ Catch Up,” “The Girl of My Dreams,” “Screw” or “Lost in Translation.” You may want to visit his MySpace page for a taste of his music. If you’re in Atlanta or St. Louis, drop me a line if you’d like to know where to buy the CD locally. For more Coultrain, check out the latest singles from PPP, “On A Cloud/Angel.”
Recommended Track: “Self Pity” and “Green” | 
Amazon iTunes
| Lost Together - FRED EVERYTHING (OM Records)
I first heard house music in 1987 while living in Chicago and it changed my world. (You fans of true house know what I mean.) So whenever an artist can generate that same excitement in me and take me back to that time, I’m all over it. Fred Everything’s latest release has done just that. Lost Together is dance perfection. As one of the best house djs in the business, Fred understands what goes into creating an infectious house groove. Whether he is bringing the heat with his tight production or providing the perfect backdrop for an all-star lineup of guest vocalists, Fred turns it out. And regarding the vocalists…wow! The CD boasts the vocal stylings of the incredible Lisa Shaw, Toronto’s Wayne Tennant, my boys Tortured Soul, and the one and only N’Dea Davenport. Can you stand it? The only flaw with the CD is that at just under an hour it is too. But perhaps that was done by design, as I can’t wait for my next Fred Everything fix.
Recommended Track: “Understand” | 
iTunes
| Hotel Rooms and Heart Attacks – THE SWEAR (The Swear)
If you have not heard of The Swear, let me be the first to introduce you. The Swear is an Atlanta-based quartet who has just released the highly anticipated Hotel Rooms and Heart Attacks. Now that we’ve gotten the pleasantries out of the way, this band knows rock music, and I love it. I’ve been tracking The Swear off and on for about four years and the members have remained true to their art, delivering rock music as only they know how. Haunting, incensed, forlorn, and potent. And that is just the lyrics. There is something very captivating about lead singer Elizabeth Elkins voice. It is melodious and conveys raw emotion such as heard on “Last Breath”. She was born to be a rock vocalist. But let’s not forget about the guys. Jerod Snider (drums), Kevin Williams (bass) and Jeremy Zamora (guitar and shares co-writing duties with Elkins) bring this incredibly powerful rhythm that makes you feel as if you’re in the midst of a musical vortex, strapped in and loving every moment of the experience, such as brilliantly exemplified on “Vampire.” This is a very solid CD that could very well expand The Swear’s audience. In a world where pop music seems to reign supreme, it is great to know that rock is alive and well.
Recommended Track: “The Violence Rings” | 
iTunes
| Home is Where Your Heart Was – PLEJ (Exceptional Records)
For those of you who thought that I’d never stop raving about Plej’s debut CD (Electronic Music From the Swedish Leftcoast), get ready because the duo has just released their latest CD. Home is Where Your Heart Was is much more laid back than the debut and is equally good, taking the listener along for the next phase of their musical journey. The CD boasts nine outstanding tracks, constructed in true Plej fashion. “Static Friction” is a jazzy keyboard-laden number that reminds me of Bob James’ “Angela” era. Listen for it. As the song progresses, it builds to more of a synth-rich, electronic sound. “Exit Anywhere” is almost dream-like with a lilting ending. “Freaks” is probably the track that sticks out apart from anything I’ve ever heard from Plej. It is unapologetic and hot. Think punk meets electronic. I may amend this later but when I close my eyes and listen to this one, I hear a little Bauhaus meets Gang of Four meets Chas Jankel. Trust me, it works. And to really blow your mind, you’ve got to hear Plej’s remake of Rick James’ “Give it To Me Baby”. It is a party now folks. There are no missteps on this CD. Granted, I am biased because I am a certified die-hard fan and if you’re not careful, you’ll become one too.
Recommended Track: “Safe Place” | 
Amazon iTunes
| New Morning - SABRINA MALHEIROS (Far Out Recordings)
In 2005, I could not get enough of Sabrina Malheiros’ phenomenal debut CD, Equilibria. Her Brazilian pop vibes and enchanting voice were at the center of one of the best recordings released that year. And as with all great debuts, I’ve eagerly anticipated her sophomore release New Morning. Sabrina describes the CD as ‘more organic’ than Equilibria. Although I didn’t think it possible, the sound is much fuller and quite lush this time around, which, in part, can be attributed to the much broader use of strings, along with a strong horn section. However, even with great production, Sabrina’s voice is still the main draw of the CD. There is a gentle strength in her voice and confidence in her delivery. Sabrina comes from a long line of gifted Brazilian musicians and the depths of her musical heritage come bursting through on each of the CD’s 12 songs. And on a side note, while I’m not a fan of remakes (why do I keep saying this), there is a nice cover of Carole King’s “It’s Too Late” with a bit of a bossa arrangement. Very nice.
Recommended Track: “Alem Do Sol” |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
Black Eyed Peas Tap Into New 'Energy'
The Black Eyed Peas are planning more of a "music diary" than a conventional album when the group releases "The END" in March. Group leader will.i.am tells Billboard.com that "The END" stands for "The Energy Never Dies," which describes his model for a project that will be living and frequently updated throughout its designated cycle. provided by: BillBoard.com
| Morello: Don't Hold Breath For Rage Album
With two albums out, more than 50 songs that have not yet been recorded and a world gone awry, Tom Morello plans to stay busy as the Nightwatchman for the foreseeable future. But one project he won't be working on is a new album from Rage Against The Machine, which reformed in 2007 after a seven-year break. provided by: BillBoard.com
| Joe Satriani Sues Coldplay For Plagiarism
Rock guitarist Joe Satriani has sued British band Coldplay, accusing the Grammy-nominated stars of plagiarizing one of his songs. Satriani's copyright infringement suit, filed yesterday (Dec. 4) in Los Angeles federal court, claims the Coldplay song "Viva La Vida" incorporates "substantial original portions" of his 2004 instrumental "If I Could Fly." provided by: BillBoard.com
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Fearless
Taylor Swift
Release Date:
November 11, 2008
Total Songs:
13
Genre:
Country
Price:
$11.99
Copyright
2008 Big Machine Records, LLC |
|
 |
|
Dark Horse
Nickelback
Release Date:
November 18, 2008
Total Songs:
11
Genre:
Rock
Price:
$9.99
Copyright
2008 The All Blacks B.V. Issued under license to Roadrunner Records from The All Blacks B.V. Roadrunner Records is a registered trademark of The All Blacks B.V. |
|
 |
|
The Fame
Lady GaGa
Release Date:
October 28, 2008
Total Songs:
15
Genre:
Pop
Price:
$7.99
Copyright
2008 Interscope Records |
|
 |
|
19
ADELE
Release Date:
June 10, 2008
Total Songs:
13
Genre:
Pop
Price:
$7.99
Copyright
2008 XL RECORDINGS LIMITED |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|