Lions, Tigers, Bears and Jazmine Sullivan, O My!

Jazmine Sullivan gets her Wiz on with the new video for phenom single, "Lions, Tigers and Bears". Off of her debut album, Fearless, you might remember that this song was one of my top 10 tracks from last year, so I'm practically jumping at the seams that the song has gotten the video treatment. The video is visually pleasing with Jazmine walking a "yellow brick road" (get it? The Wizard Of Oz..."lions, tigers and bears") and having a collage of CGI'ed instruments backing her up as she croons effortlessly into the screen. It's gorgeously done and hopefully this will get folks interested in the song again, as it is one of the best from her debut. Before I jet off to class to get my education on, I wanted to wonder if Jazmine was actually by that tiger or was that computerized in? Cause shoot, I'd be running for the hills if I was strolling next to a tiger....

Someone Put Their Smart Cap On...and It's Kelly Rowland!

An apple dropped on Kelly Rowland's noggin' and a Newton-esque experience occurred...she got smart. The former Destiny's Child member, has finally cut the cord from long time dictator manager, Matthew Knowles, father of former group mate, Beyonce Knowles. No surprise since Miss Rowland's solo career has been suffering due to the attachment. It's just a little shocking she waited this long to finally do so. I mean a person can take so much abuse. If I saw my debut CD go straight to discount bins and my singles being poorly distributed, I would've skedaddled a long time ago. As I always root for the underdog, I'm being a cheerleader for Kelly to make a successful return to a solo career as her sophomore album, Ms. Kelly had potential to be a hit record. It'd be blissful anarchy if other DC member, Michelle Williams also got off her rump and left the Knowles torture chamber camp too after the shoddy distribution of last year's not so bad, Unexpected. You must remember ladies: I'm a survivor, I ain't gonna give up, I'm gonna work harder...

Cover Smother: Wrapped Around My Finger

Did you know that The Police are one of my favorite bands? Well, now you do. Even though I wasn't even alive (much less thought of) when Sting, Stewart and Andy were bopping around being all bleached blonde and lyrical smarty pants, they are essential to me like wine cooler Fridays with my divas. Their swan song, 1983's Synchronicity, is definitive not only because it's the band's last album, but because it features four monster hits. Do I really have to say what they are? Well, if anything, yes, this is the album that features the "stalker" song, "Every Breath You Take". Love this album (and the primary colored paint streaked cover) so much that I have it on vinyl, framed and on my wall among other framed albums, and only a elite few get that honor...yes, I'm dedicated like that.

Artist Watch: Melanie Is 'Right' On Time

Need a new soul goddess to worship for 2009? Maybe you should give Melanie Fiona a try. The Toronto native has been getting the blogs a-talking with her soulful strut, "Give It To Me Right" and yes, I'm just now getting to posting about her. To catch up...Fresh off of touring with Kanye West during his European leg of the Glow In The The Dark Tour, Melanie is to be releasing her debut, The Bridge, in May of this year. With her rich deep rooted soul vocals she has been wowing and gaining a strong fan following. A true soul child, Melanie counts Sam Cooke, Gladys Knight and Nat King Cole as inspirations. If you jam for Jazmine Sullivan or melt for Mutya Buena, Melanie will fit right into your musical forte as to me she sounds like a blend of the two starlets. In true Audio Diva fashion, I'll be keeping the wax out of my ears for any goings on from Melanie's camp to keep yall in the know. Take a listen at the tunage, and make an opinion for yourself....

Give It To Me Right

Reheating Leftovers: Feel The Push and Pull

*Does anyone even care that Keri Hilson's debut, In A Perfect World is even coming out? Well, if you do, get ready to hold your breath for the umpteenth time as it has been....pushed back yet AGAIN! Now reports are saying that Keri's debut could see the light of day on March 24th of this year. Puleeze...put a fork in this turkey, it's obviously fried, roasted and charred. Keri's debut has gotten some seriously shoddy handling, and it's really no surprise to me that the album is getting yet another push back, hell I don't even think we'll ever have this album in a jewel case. Considering the weak single choices and now the issue of a listening public who are worn out by all this talk and no walk, Keri Hilson is doomed to be just a footnote in R&B music.

*There's been alot of Mariah Carey news this week and I'm happy to announce that it's all good for a change. First, for those who are unaware that Mariah is still being the thespian, Mariah's new movie Push, with Monique, Lenny Kravitz, Sherri Sheperd and Paula Patton, and directed by Lee Daniels of Monster's Ball fame, has gotten rave reviews at the Sundance Film Festival, and has won two top prizes at the festival. There is already Oscar buzz (for next year obviously) zipping around about the movie as it makes plans to reach theaters. Well, that sounds all kinds of amazing! Next up, producer The Dream has spilled the beans about Mariah jetting into the studio to record what is to be the tentatively titled new project of MC3. Okay, you know I love me some Mariah and I have been hard on her as of late...but in all honesty, Mariah should let the ashes of that burnt mess of E=MC2 blow in the wind before she tries to follow it up. Maybe take a year off before rushing into a new project. But always the workaholic, it's no wonder Mariah is diving back into the studio probably to redeem herself from last year's fiasco. Peep this interview with The Dream as he discusses the new Mariah project...

*Janet Jackson continues her streak of bad luck as as her recently scheduled Japan run of her RockWitChu tour has been cancelled, and her management team is citing the recent recession as the main problem for the collapse of the tour. Not surprised of the tour's demise since it was struggling, even in the States, but using the recession as an excuse (apparently the set was too expensive to maintain) seems to be a regular theme these days. Janet and her camp have apologized for the inconvenience. If anything, just release the RockWitChu Tour on friggin' DVD so all of us Janet fans who missed the show can be satisfied!

Sprinting The 100 Yard Dash With Raphael

Still keeping in flavor with his 60's soul jaunt, The Way I See It, Raphael Saddiq has unleashed a new vid that recalls those classic Stax and Motown days. The video is for single, "100 Yard Dash" and it's quiet the looker. It is nicely styled in black and white with images of a sharply dressed Raphael, his band mates and the unnamed "vixen". It has 1960's cinematic feel to it (think James Bond opening sequences) due to the bold fonts and colorization effects. While the premise is a little basic, a little goes a long way here and it makes for an entertaining view, especially if you love a little soul revival to help you get through your day. Seriously feeling the vibe of this vid.

Spin Me Right Round: What's Cookin' In 'Martika's Kitchen'?

Martika, Martika, Martika...what a fun name to say...On the flip side, Martika's 1991 album, Martika's Kitchen is a fun album to play. While Martika has been MIA since the 90's (and has popped up in the group Operra as of 2003), I always feel that she was seriously shafted for putting forth an ambitious sophomore effort. Too much was Martika was lumped in the same teen mall queen category as Tiffany and Debbie Gibson, Martika was the dark horse out of the three, making music that was whip smart and hellicious funky. The former Kids Incorporated alum (Fergie and Rahsaan Patterson are graduates of this 80's/90's show as well), first came to recognition with the track, "Toy Soldiers" in 1989. It was a world-wide smash hit and Martika could never seriously out ride it. To my ears, Martika's Kitchen is one of the best pop/R&B albums from the early 90's, and with Prince in the production seat for a bulk of the songs...it wins it's case right there. The gorgeous "Love Thy Will Be Done" is one of Prince's best ballads. Martika sings the song so delicately that it almost feels like a fragile confession of love. Funky tunes like "Don't Say U Love Me" and "Temptation" show off Martika's spunk as the bouncy dance pop-Gospel of "Spirit" is also groovin'. Personally, I find tracks like the boom of "Pride & Prejudice" and the quirky doo-wop "Broken Heart" to be the better tracks, but that's me being picky. Martika's Kitchen has every element of what a pop/R&B album should be: sharp, whimsical, romantic and infectious. Bon Appetit!

Rating: 9.5/10

Oooh...pretty images, seriously I have a weakness for black and white videos...guh, this song is just gorgeous...I really like Martika's haircut, though I'd look like an 8 year old boy if I had it...

First Impressions: Chrisette Has An 'Epiphany'

Though it's only been about two years since we've heard from Chrisette Michele, it's oh so welcoming to have her back in stride again. Fresh off of her enchanting, 2007 debut, I Am, Chrisette is gearing up for a new album to grace the shelves sometime later this year. The first single of her as-yet-untitled sophomore album, has gotten a leak from the faucet this week and it's Chrisette back in fine form. "Epiphany" is a piano driven mid-tempo bounce that details Chrisette leaving her louse of a boyfriend. The song effectively mixes a hip-hop beat with Chrisette's classic jazz vocal tone, and I have no scruples that this could cross over to be a radio hit once the song is officially released on February 10th. Chrisette has recently collaborated with singer/songwriter, Ne-Yo on her upcoming effort but hasn't further disclosed other collaborators. While Ne-Yo usually gives his best stuff to the singers he produces for, this should be one album to keep an ear unclogged for. Peep a listen to the first single and don the stalker attire for Miss Chrisette's return!

Epiphany

Song Stuck In My Head: "I Wonder If You Notice Me..."

"Be Your Girl"-Teedra Moses (2006)

Let me clearly state this: I miss Teedra Moses. One fantastic album and then poof! gone! Her absence wouldn't be so torturous if it wasn't for the fact that we keep getting toyed with mixtapes, promises of a new album and leaked tracks like last year's "So Kool". So to reminisce (and hope that Teedra gets my mental message to get on the stick and release a new album...) Complex Simplicity got a spin this morning, and I seriously forgot how near perfect this album is. I might trek on CS's territory at a later date, but for now I really haven't been able to get "Be Your Girl" out of my head. What I like about this song is that it's preciously derived. It's not too sappy and it's not too down-on-the-knees begging. It's a school girl crush kind of wanting, harmless and hopeless...but a tad promising. While I haven't felt the butterflies that came with crushes long gone (in my life, love is definitely a battlefield), this song and it's silky smooth mid-tempo beat reminds me of having those feelings...okay, sorry for getting all swoon worthy on you and right now, probably your gag reflexes are on overdrive...but if you wanna feel the love on a Tuesday then just peep the video to see what I mean....

The funny thing about this music video is that the guy Teedra's crushing on throughout the song...isn't even represented in the vid! Uh...I'm guessing it was a tight budget...Some pretty cool scenes of New York City though

Thriller Killer Night...On Broadway!

If they can turn a dozen ABBA songs into a musical about a wedding and three babies daddies, then there is certainly room for a musical based on Michael Jackson's 1983 groundbreaking music video, "Thriller"! News has circulated that there is indeed production gab about turning Jackson's video into a stage spectacle and that Jackson himself will have a hand in the creative process of the show. The show will outline the historic (yes, my children, it is historic...) video's plot line of a simple movie date gone horror movie wrong...with all of it set to the music of Jackson's 1982 Thriller album, as well as his 1979 Off The Wall album. As I type this, I can just picture all the awesome nostalgia this could encompass. As my pals over at SoulBounce thought of all the fabulous stuff this musical could possess, let me agree as well that this has the potential to be full of win. Think about it...dancing zombies, "Baby Be Mine" and "Off The Wall" finally being put to good use, maybe an even more of an in-depth look at the relationship between Michael and his girlfriend (hey, she didn't know he was a friggin' wolf...that's devastating). Oh, and think of all that 80's fashion and Jheri curl juice. Before I get myself overexcited, there is still no word on when production will be taking place, all we have to ride on is that it's "coming soon". Well, hurry up! So get those red zipper jackets out of hibernation, it's time to get prepared for the thrills that this show is destined to bring.

Since I couldn't embed the classic video...For all you Broadway Babies who wanna get on board and audition for the zombie parts, here's an instructional video on how to dance "The Thriller"...well, to some extent...

Ahoy Feathers!

I guess Brandon Flowers wasn't affected by Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds as a child, because he's sportin' those darn feathers again, this time in a new video for The Killers new single, "Spaceman". Not much of a fan of this song per say but the video makes up for it, as it's a big old ball of bizarre, and who doesn't like a bizarre, head scratching video? I'm not even sure what's going on in this video because I'm seriously distracted by Brandon's get-up in the vid, as it looks like a mix between LaBelle's outfits from the 70's and the Wizard Of Oz's flying monkey's get-ups. That aside, what I got from this is that Brandon is supposed to be a wandering spaceman, meeting up with oddball characters and sitting down alone at a long candelabra decked out dinner table...um, yeah...let's give a round of applause for weirdness!

Reheating Leftovers: Lose Some...Win Some

*While I was angry that I was cut off in the checkout line at Michael's Crafts this weekend, Mariah Carey has expressed that she was a bit peeved that she wasn't allowed to sit onstage with the Obama family during the swearing in portion of the the Inauguration, last Tuesday. She was so mad that she walked away when she found out that she was only allowed to sit in the VIP section for celebrities where Alicia Keys, Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen were all seated. Well, boo hoo to you Mariah, I had to watch the Inauguration on my TV at my house. See that's what you get for marrying Nick Cannon...people don't take you seriously anymore...

*Gasps all around! UK soul guy, James Morrison has finally stepped onto US shores for a few (and I'm talking few) tour dates! He's currently opening for Adele's tour during the January and February months. Critics have claimed his show as "eye-browraisingly funky"...love that "eyebrowraisingly" has the makings for a real word. Still if it's a pretty good turn-out, who knows? Maybe us Statesiders could be seeing more of James in the near future! Crossing fingers and doing prayer ritual chants with BFF Brittany in hopes that he will grace Texas soon...tour dates are posted on here.

*Reason #21 why American Idol is hurting the music industry: Remember Sanjaya Malakar? He was on AI's Season 6? He had a Mohawk and a crazy crying fan girl? Okay, remember how he was kinda awful, but yet he stayed on due to people voting to see him fail every week? Well, he has has a book out now and he's telling the world about his Idol adventures and his short life as an "artist" (isn't he only 17?). This is seriously killing me softly. Sanjaya has a book out and I'm STILL being denied a Journalism degree because I haven't finished a fuggin' Statistics course? The cards of life play some cruel hands...

*Congratulations: To Heather Headley, as her first gospel jaunt, Audience Of One, (which was just released this month) is nestled nicely at the #1 spot on the Billboard Gospel/Christian charts.

And to India.Arie, who got a blessing from jazz-soul singer, Sade to cover her 1992 track, "Pearls"...also congrats to Sade for coming out of her hibernation, because we've all been wondering where the hell she has been, a new album from her is looong overdue.

Hotel Shenanigans By Karyn White and a Bellhop

They don't make cute videos like this anymore....everyone nowadays wants to be "edgy"....but not Karyn White back in 1991, she was going to be cute as the Snuggle Bear in those fabric softener commercials. "The Way I Feel About You" is probably my favorite song off of Karyn's sophomore effort, Ritual Of Love because it's perky and has big 90's synths, and that is important to me. In the video, the former Mrs. Terry Lewis, dons a French maid costume (let men's fantasy trains run off the tracks for a moment) and romps around in a hotel room with a dancing bellhop. Karyn has a good old time in a hotel room while the occupants are away while the bellhop video voyeurs the couple in the elevator (I guess before the Internet, people got their kicks this way). Karyn tries on clothes and makeup that aren't hers (gross), takes a bubble bath ...and yes, it's oozes cuteness when her and the bellhop hook up. Even though it is clearly wrong to invade someones hotel space...it makes you wonder, what do the hotel staff do when you leave the hotel rooms so they can clean...

Question Obsession: Future's So Bright...Gotta Wear Shades

Awhile back I posted about who I was waiting on pins and needles for new albums from...now I have come to grips that that particular list has grown bigger than its britches. With that random news about D'Angelo surfacing, U2 descending down on us again and the remembrance that Christina Aguilera is shooting to release something in '09 (I totally forgot...that's how much "Keeps Gettin' Better" affected me), I have more reasons to mark up my calendar with release dates from some of my favorite and newly discovered artists who will be making my year much more bearable. Well, I've yapped and gushed enough...now it's your turn. So Adventurers...

What albums/artists or bands are you hoping to see grace the charts or just pop out of nowhere in 2009?

As always, leave your responses in comments and we'll get the discussion going!

Song Stuck In My Head: Leave Something For Me & My Imagination...

"Me & My Imagination"-Sophie Ellis Bextor (2007)

As the first official school week (for me at least) winds down, I can't help but feel like I have gone straight into fiery combat and emerged, bruised but stable and ready to fight another fight. So I need some Sophie Ellis-Bextor to help me crawl to my weekend. The perfect track of choice? "Me & My Imagination" of coursey! I've always had a fascination with this song off of her sparkling 2007 album, Trip The Light Fantastic . It's not as grandiose as shoulda-been single, "If You Go", but it's quite divine in its own right. The song seems to transport you into a luxurious glistening glitter world, where disco balls and elegant ballroom floors collide. A chugging beat mixed in with Sophie's accented vocals and dip n' dive strings makes this song an elegant yet dance worthy piece of pop. I'm daydreamin' away with this song...

I sometimes glide and twirl in the streets like that, people stare but hey, it's fun....ooo, look at all the pretty colors!...I like Sophie's eyeshadow combo...Sometimes I wish my imagination would come to life like this, but then again, it's best stuck in my noggin'...

Adventures In Irrelevancy: Forever A Slave To The Rhythm

Let's just say I wish to be this FIERCE at 60 years of age...Grace Jones, I bow down...

Cover Smother: It's Like That...And That's The Way It Is

Classic. Simply classic. Run DMC's very first album from 1984 featuring hits "It's Like That" and "Rock Box". This album is quite the relic due to it being the first rap album to go Gold...and it's sorta kinda one of the first rap albums that clearly kick started the hip-hop movement into what it is today. Believe it or not, deny it all you want, without Run, D and Jam Master Jay, hip-hop probably would've been a passing musical fad. Remember kiss your chunky gold chain and rock your Addias...in honor of course!

Album Watch: How Does It Feel...To Have D'Angelo Back In '09?

It's a miracle! D'Angelo released an actual statement yesterday, and this statement isn't just any word spill, it's detailing his return to music. Cue the gasps and side eyes. Billboard reports that D is in the studio tweaking up the last bits of his as-yet-untitled comeback record. The good news is that he has an impressive roster of talent on board, such as Cee-Lo, Raphael Saddiq, Mark Ronson and Roy Hargrove...oh, and he's eyeing a duet of some sort with his Purpleness, Prince. Oh, and all of this will be unveiled when the album drops in stores this summer. Summer of 2009? Really? Huh...yeah right, and I'm Tina Turner. To further get folks salivating for the soul man's return, ladies and secure gents, their are claims that he's looking mighty fine, well, compared to how he used to look....and that he will be touring in the Spring. Cue another round of gasps and side eyes. So take me to Nutbush City Limits and let me be someone's "Private Dancer" because if he looks as good as he did in the historic "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" video as well as gracing a stage in the near future, then 2009 is shaping up to be a spectacular year.

Reheating Leftovers: An Inaugural Thought

Oh, me oh my! In addition to my short absence (getting back in the swing of school, hooking up with my divas again and joyously finding out my god awful roommate was evicted!!), we have a new president!

Change has happened and we (the ones who have been wanting change for a long while) are ecstatic that Barack Obama has being sworn into office. So I'll stop with my Obama gushing after this post because I'm literally in a hangover from all the Inaugural stuff and I wasn't even there...but thanks to MSNBC and local channels I felt like I was in the frigid D.C. weather boo-hoo crying. So while I watch Obama's Inaugural speech for the umpteenth time, love the life out of the Obama daughters (sooo cute!!) and find out where in hells Aretha Franklin got that bow garnished church hat from...

First, okay, okay...Beyonce did a pretty good job singing Etta James's classic "At Last" during the Obamas first dance during the Inaugural Ball ceremony. While I'm sure Beyonce got on her knees and begged her Daddy Dearest to be on that stage...she rose to the occasion. Aside from that, the Obama's dance together is divine...now this is love I wish I could experience!

Second, most Kylie Minogue fans know of her song, "I Believe In You"...but you have not heard this stunning rendition from the Aussie pop queen's X Tour from last year. It is in a simple word: GORGEOUS...and if you get past the romantic touches, the bulk of it clearly describes sentiments to Obama's journey to the White House...okay, the man is not the Messiah, but I just wanted to share this gorgeously done song to compare with yesterday's festivities! Enjoy below!

First Impressions: Blu Is Back...and 'Boy Crazy'

Looky who has risen from the crypt...Blu Cantrell! Last I saw of her were of some drunk clubbing photos on ONTD! and last heard of her when she did a female response to One Republic's "Apologize"...well, apparently for 2009 Blu is on the comeback trail and it has seriously been a loong time since we've heard anything relatively new from her. I mean, I love her So Blu and Bittersweet albums, but it's time for something fresh! "Boy Crazy" is the new joint from Blu's forthcoming, Blubonic (is it really titled this? Like a play on the word, Bubonic...like the Bubonic plague that killed off many in the 1600's?) which is rumored to be making an appearance this year. The song has gotten all the hip-hop/R&B heads in a tizzy because Blu is actually doing a technotronic disco romp. Well, I can never stress enough how I think it's about time that R&B artists embrace some other genres instead of the already stale usage of hip-hop beats. Her vocals sound a little wobbly at the beginning...well, in short, the song itself is kind of shaky and a little too much in some parts. I'm hoping that this is just a demo/trial run because there is some good things going on here like the back beat and the concept, but Blu's vocals are just too splattered all over this and her big vocals kind of mask over the beat. Some control is definitely needed here...hopefully Blu can recapture what she had in 2001 with "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)" because that joint will always be hot!

Boy Crazy

Artist Watch: These Boots Are Made For Dancing

In 2008, Little Boots was just a whisper of chit-chat in BlogLand, but I have a feeling that this year, the London native we will be talking about her will be at a higher decibel. With one listen to the sizzling "Stuck On Repeat" (which you'll literally have on repeat after one listen), Little Boots is set to make our 2009 just a tad bit funkier and electric. In the same vein as acts like Robyn, Annie, Roisin Murphy and yes even Ladyhawke, Little Boots drinks the fuel of sharp and luxe 80's and bridges it with modern electro-pop and it's a marriage that can't be beat. Personally, I can never grow weary of a song that contains bottom heavy synths. That said I'm literally hypnotized by the Freestyle meets trip-hop on "Mathematics" and the clunky punch of "Meddle". What's even cooler beans about Little Boots is that she is a woman who plays the keyboard. Shock and awe. I'm seriously shipping her as the next Jane Child...but I hope she has a longer shelf life. Still not impressed? Well, check out this interview from Ohh! Crapp where she gives the background story to her name as well as dishes on her mega love for Kylie Minogue...still need more proof that Little Boots is one to watch, just listen to the clips and be transported to her realm.

Stuck On Repeat

Mathematics

Meddle

Spin Me Right Round: D'Arby's Own Private 'Symphony'

So what if Terence Trent D'Arby pissed some people off by claiming he was better than The Beatles? It wasn't like he was awful. Or that his 1987 debut album, The Hardline According To...was complete musical garbage. In fact, Terence was quite the artist and The Hardline remains to be one of the best albums of the 80's, not to mention one that kicked off the neo-soul movement. Long before Kanye West got his ego on, Mr. D'Arby managed to get folks upset with his narcissistic nature. The outcome of that had Terence suffering on the charts instead of being praised. Aside from being misunderstood, Terence released some exciting and edgy material that radiated and crossed boundaries. After going left field for 1989's Neither Fish Nor Flesh, Terence went back to the formula for The Hardline, for 1993's Symphony Or Damn...well, almost. Terence's third coming is indeed an intricate and eclectic collection of tunes that are a mix between soul, Blues and hard rock and boy oh boy is it FUN. The brash seductive nature of "She Kissed Me" knocks you three ways while "Do You Love Me Like You Do" is caffeinated hip-hop meets doo-wop. Terence's gruff soulful croon layer nicely over rock numbers like the skittish shot of "Baby Let Me Share My Love" and psychedelic sway"Succumb To Me". Soul songstress, Des'ree joins Terence on the kin to "Sign Your Name", "Delicate" which is a wonderfully crafted mellow mid-tempo. The album is basically big in sound and in ideal with tracks like the horn blasts of "Neon Messiah" and the grungy beach blanket bop of "Penelope Please" just literally overtaking your ears. It's quite a shame that Terence (or rather now he goes by Sananda Maitreya) and his boastful musical grandeur couldn't achieve higher than his debut album because on album number three, Terence evolves into something that is truly artistic and fabulously out of bounds.

Rating: 9.2/10

What's with the cane?....Des'ree's hand movements were always mesmerizing, remember the "You Gotta Be" video?....It seems every early 90's video used that waterfall effect....Butterflies *squee!*

Eye Rolls and Side Eyes: Mariah Whips Out Her Jazz Hands

Don't laugh. Mariah Carey wants to make a musical about her life. Okay, guffaw a bit. I don't know where this bullshit "idea" matriculated from but it's wild. Rumor has it that Mariah wants Leona Lewis to play her in a musical that is to outline her life from Long Islander to mega diva deity, with all the music, glitter, divorce and marriages in between. While it sounds like this would make a glitzy ball gown infested spectacle, and my lousy self will probably be shamelessly front in center singing along to a show tune version of "Dreamlover"...but I was seriously hoping Mariah would save this type of deal till she was illegible for AARP or at least follow in the footsteps of Lena Horne's one woman show from the 80's, you know when she's getting ready to retire. But no, someone's being a little pushy. Mariah apparently was talking to nameless musical producers over the holidays and agreed to start working on the project as soon as...well, this year. Mariah thinks Leona would be a perfect fit because of her "exotic" looks and that she could pull off her eight-octave vocal range. And it gets even wackier, Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria and Vanessa Hudgens (the Disney twat from the High School Musical franchise) have also been in talks to play Mariah as well...It's too early in the morning for me to digest this kind of mess, my side-eye is rolling so far over I'm afraid my eyes are going to pop out of their sockets.

The Gospel: I Wanna Dance With Whitney In '09...But Will It Really Happen?

Okay, I'm not holding my breath till I turn purple on the return of Whitney Houston for 2009 because we've heard the yappings of "comebacks" and "new album" all last year and we've been graced with na-da. But as someone who used to use a Crayola marker as a microphone and belt out on "I Have Nothin'" as a plastic barrette wearing child...I do admit I miss the Whitster. While it's unfair to say that there hasn't been anyone to carry the golden vocal torch of Whitney, it's just that it's quite disheartening that we don't hear a ballad or thundering duet from her anymore. Just recently it was announced that Whitney is indeed on the comeback trail again as she is to be making an appearance at Clive Davis's annual pre-Grammy party, and yes folks, Nippy is rumored to be hitting the stage and actually belting a tune. While this all sounds fine and dandy, I'm more curious about how Whitney will deliver if she indeed puts out an album this year. Do people even care? Will she be able to have hits that actually chart? Will Whitney be able to handle it if she indeed gets the lucky opportunity to have a successful comeback? White lines and Ray-J aside, I'm hoping that Whit can indeed be a dominating diva, still I'm wary, especially after that last album...For those who missed the ball, Whitney's last full length album, 2002's Just Whitney was a shall we say, sub-par. It was a wacky ensemble of uninspired R&B fluff and sleep inducing ballads that gave an inkling that Whitney wasn't on her A-game, and she even had Babyface on hand for production duties so there wasn't much of an excuse. When the bubblings of Whitney's comeback started in the Summer of '08, an Akon produced track, "Like I Never Left" came to the surface and it came and went like a lite sneeze. No word on who is indeed involved or going to be involved on Whitney's comeback album, but I'm hoping that she can get a little funky, a little sappy, a little over the top and a little testy a la "It's Not Right (But It's Okay)". So give Diane Warren a call, maybe even ring up Bryan Michael-Cox...and do a duet with John Legend, mend our broken hearts. Let's just hope that if this new album business is true, that we aren't graced with MadTV-esque proportions...

Question Obsession: Music In Reel Time

Been awhile since we've hit up QO Street...Bio-pics are my Achilles heel, love 'em and I have a worn What's Love Got To Do With It DVD to prove it. Still there are many singers, bands and musicians who have not yet had a bio-pic dedicated to them. With the current influx of rumored musical bio pics (Nina Simone, Aaliyah and that pulling teeth wait of that flick about Marvin Gaye) and with Big Poppa's Notorious coming soon to a theater near you, it has got me thinking of who could be next to have their story told on film. So Adventurers, quick ask yourself this question:

What singers, musicians or bands would you like to see a bio-pic about?

As always leave your responses in comments and we'll get the discussion going!

Reheating Leftovers: Dancing In The Streets...Motown Is 50

*I'm a terrible terrible person, I totally forgot about Motown celebrating their 50th Anniversary this week. And I call myself a soul music fan...*slaps hand* Well, at least I wasn't like Caleb Followill from Kings Of Leon who stupidly, yes stupidly, was asked by NME magazine to name his favorite Motown songs and named a Sam Cooke and an Otis Redding song, two singers who never in life recorded on the Motown/Tamla label...sorry, but when you're involved in music, you should know better or at least put down the drink. Anyways, it's kind of wild that Berry Gordy started Motown 50 years ago and literally began a musical movement...looking back Motown is truly the blueprint for what music of today follows to the nines. I mean how many Motown/60's revival albums did you hear last year? It's quite amazing that they have pumped out so many memorable songs and legendary acts over the years. The Temptations, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, The Jackson 5...even Rick James...so much great great music! Celebrate by singing "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch" at the top of your lungs and watching Leon play the hizzle out of David Ruffin in that Temptations movie that always seems to be on VH1 every other weekend.

*The time of the year I tend to avoid is Superbowl Sunday...I don't like subjecting myself to buffalo wing sticky fingers and drunk hollering folks. In the comfort of my room I will be watching Jennifer Hudson take center stage as she has been selected to sing the National Anthem at the February 1st game. This is to be Jennifer's first public appearance since the tragic events of her mother, brother and nephew's murder. Will she blow it out of the water a la Whitney and Mariah? I don't have a doubt in my mind that she will melt hearts and give goosebumps.

*Clay Cane.net has served up two pretty darn cool lists here and here of artists who missed the opportunity to sing a song that eventually became a hit for someone else. The most surprising hit-n-miss? Mary Wilson of The Supremes was lined up to do Madonna's "Holiday" but passed on it...WOW. I can only imagine how THAT would've sounded and man...would Madonna even be around if that had happened? A world without Madonna is surely hard to imagine...Oh, and check out Patti LaBelle...did she have a omen or what? She skipped out on singing, "Nobody's Supposed To Be Here", "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and "Rush, Rush". Man...Paula Abdul should kiss Patti's feet every damn day for practically handing "Rush, Rush" to her on a platter.

Song Stuck In My Head: Funk Upside Your Head

"Lovesick"-Friendly Fires (2008)

How did I miss this gob of funkalicious ecstasy? I don't know, but I'm glad it's in my life right now. The Friendly Fires is a band that I heard about in passing but really didn't give a second thought, because it's hard to keep up when your life is filled with many adventures musically and not. It's bizarre that I heard this song called, "Lovesick" in Express of all places and in a split second I stopped scoping out the racks and listened to the electro-funk pumping out over the loud speakers. When something stops me in the middle of a tyraid of shopping...you know it's serious. It must be all this damn scarf buying that I have been doing lately, but I'm turning into some Indie pop fan all of a sudden...it's literally scaring me. Whatever, "Lovesick" is a kicking tripendicular song and I could care less if FF are three blokes from Hertfordshire, UK who specialize in indie pop/disco/rock, or whatever long genre label they are given. Helter skelter percussion, a chugging beat remiscent of 1970's disco and a catchy groove of a chorus, this song is perfectly crafted as such and what a groovin' little relic this is.

Cover Smother: 2 Times The India

Was this cover art released this week? I dunno, I just got this in my e-mail yesterday...ah well. I'm guessing the two India.Arie's in the album art are representing the "love" and the "politics" in Testimony Vol. 2: Love & Politics....just a wild guess. I'm not a fan of the font work on this as it looks kind of messy and reminds me of "Join This Club!" pamphlets they hand out around my university for some reason...I'm sorry, I'm a font junkie and I get picky over these kinds things. But I am digging India's bangles and her headband thingy...accessories are bliss. Fonts aside, I'm excited for this, considering that her duet with Musiq, "Chocolate High" is scrumptious and that it's been a good two years since Testimony Vol. 1: Life & Relationship. Love India like I? Then Febuary 10th should be marked on your calendar as that's when this little album will be on store shelves and rocking your life.

The Gospel: 'American Idol' Marches On...Relevency Still Pending

Isn't it ironic that Kelly Clarkson's new single (see below) would get a leak today considering the fact that the show that brought her fame is in it's eighth season and premiering tonight? Looking back, American Idol has partly become a juggernaut in the American music industry as well as being the most pretentious show that has graced television. I remember being a big AI supporter during my early college days. The dorm I lived in would literally come to a halt for a good hour while we would digest everything judges, Simon, Paula and Randy would say. This was back when AI was fun rot your teeth viewing, where Simon was a prick and you secretly loved it. When you watched the auditions and laughed at the delusional people who thought that they could indeed out sing Whitney Houston, but ended up rivaling Rosanne Barr. When you racked up your cell phone bill for those singers you voted heavily for and booed at the ones who butchered your favorite Journey song during the Top 10 competitions. When people like that Keith guy made Madonna shrivel up by raping "Like A Virgin" was on your screen and then disappeared, no novelty CD to be found at Sam Goody. But American Idol got too cute over the years at it's popularity soared. It literally became a mockery of itself by focusing on rating grabbers like a mohawk donning Sanjaya and making the contestants sing songs that my grandpa considers to be "heavy listening" with Lawrence Welk-esque bubbles blowing about. Literally, the show lost me when they couldn't effectively bridge the old school with the new school, stuck with the same Celine Dion and Motown songs, and forgot about the topic at hand: original singing talent. The show went from being a vehicle for current pop culture, to literally just pumping out stereotypical singers and stale ideals. It was almost like The Breakfast Club every season...you have the hard rocker, the soul queen, the country princess, the Stevie Wonder crooner, the guy with the weird hair who was influenced by The Smiths and Prince. While variety is sometimes limited with a scripted show such as AI, it just seemed each season just kind of melted into one another, not one bearing any difference from the last. Before I combust, let me just say that hopefully AI took the hint from all the backlash from last season and switches things up this year by actually focusing on entertaining the masses with natural talent and a few fuck ups inbetween...I'd love for them to do so. They have a new female judge, are getting brand new mentors and apparently are bringing back that Wild Card thing which is meant to spice up the final round so there is some room for something fresh on the horizon this season.

Album Watch: Usher Works With "Different" Artists

Well, looky here...there is some attractiveness in this pic! Usher is indeed in the studio and call me relieved that he actually has some competent folks on hand to help him out. Seeing Pharrell and Adam Levine from Maroon 5 in the same room with recording equipment and instruments gives me a small glimmer of hope that Usher will not replicate the muck of the crap-o-la set that was last year's Here I Stand. How can you mess up when you have a Neptuner and a Maroon 5 member in the same studio? While in the pic it looks like they are just shooting the breeze and not really working, news has been brewing that Ush is looking to "try new musical styles" and work with many "different artists" for his upcoming album as Ne-Yo and The Dream have also been lined up for the project. So Pharrell and Adam Levine are "different" artists...? *rolls eyes* I want to see Usher work with someone out of the random blue to justify that. I mean who hasn't worked with Pharrell and Adam Levine? When I see Usher working with Tori Amos or The Ting Tings then I'll stop my side-eye glances. Anywhoo, it's kind of nice knowing that Usher is indeed back in the studio making music and hopefully giving us something better than last time. *crosses fingers*

...Just A Little Bit Of hiNRG Nostalgia

Sue me. I dig Gina G. Maybe it's because when I went back home and I got nostalgic for the times of me listening to Ultimate Dance Party tapes (remember those all my 90's kiddos?) and worshipping the ever loving life out of the movie Clueless...time has pressed on, but I still never get tire of Gina G. and her dance anthems. Her 1997 debut, Fresh! is an essential pop music artifact that is brimming with bubbly synths, infectious mindless lyrics and of course an ever present urge to grab a glow stick and act a fool. Gina G. is well known for just two emotional outbursts: "Oooh" and "Ahh" as they appear in her hit, "Oooh, Ahh...Just A Little Bit" which is part of 90's dance-pop royalty. The song was her entry at the 1996 Eurovision competition (kind of like an American Idol for songwriting) and while she only reached the #8 position, she manged to release her debut and score a #1 hit in the UK and a #12 hit in the US. Not too shabby! It's not Gina's best song (that goes to the title track of her debut) but it's still a fun song to pop in and shamelessly belt out the words to. The video is a perfect example of the vanity and voguing that dripped through 90's videos.There's a lot of face mugging, wacky arm movements and unnecessary "sexy" poses...man do I miss the 90's.

First Impressions: Same Old Song and Dance For Kelly Clarkson

Since You've Been Gone 2009. That's clearly what "My Life Would Suck Without You" is plain and simple. No surprise since "Since You've Been Gone" writers Max Martin and Dr. Luke wrote this song during the Breakaway sessions. Don't get me wrong, I like Kelly Clarkson. She's from Texas and she knows what it's like living in one of the hugest, most confusing and most underdog states in the US. So I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, because the song doesn't totally suck... Kelly has just done better (see the entire Breakaway album for a confirmation). This song is clearly a reassurance to fans who dismissed her ambitious 2007 album, My December and know that she hasn't completely gone insanium in the cranium, that she still can pop, be brash, head bang and scream at the top of her lungs. And it's also a song that has been carefully monitored by svengali hot head Clive Davis. The driving guitar and energetic synth song doesn't have real pizazz and it could easily be the play cousin to Pink's "Who Knew". It almost feels like something is missing and that Kelly is just going through the motions with it, just singing it because she was asked to, not because she wanted to. I'm not doubting the remainder of Kelly's upcoming, All I've Ever Wanted, because it's too soon to call, but if we are getting alot of Breakaway cast offs and mediocre Katy Perry throwaways...then there is trouble in Clarksonville. Listen and be the judge for yourself in this semi-tagged audio...

My Life Would Suck Without You

First Impressions: Annie Shines A Light

Annie! How I've missed thee! Soul/Pop vocalist Annie Lennox is to be releasing her first greatest hits collection this year and it's to be her last on the Sony BMG label. The tracklist can be seen here, and it's all killer and no filler baby! All the hits from "Why" to "Dark Road" are represented as well as two new songs. One song, "Shining Light" was leaked last week and it's actually a snazzy little cover of a song by indie rock band Ash. I'm liking the song a lot especially with Annie's vocals soaring over bright synths and guitars. But really if Annie sang my bills and bank notices to me I'd be truly engaged. Rumor has it that she's working on an all-dance album which got me kind of giddy considering that I've been itching for Annie to do something upbeat since her Eurythmics and Diva days. Annie's greatest hits collection will be hitting stores March 9th and is to also feature a song written by Keane frontman, Tom Chaplin...and if that song is anything like "Spiralling", then bring on Dance Queen Annie!

Shining Light

Wipe Off The Dust: "Outside Your Door" Vs. "Talk To Me"

My music nerdiness has reared it's head once again. For years, this bizarre little album by a female trio called Voyceboxing resided in my parent's home collecting dust. Apparently, my Dad bought it because he was a bit GRP jazz music label fan (Patti Austin, Lee Ritenour et al.) but since he has so much music, it kind of got shuffled around. My curious cat nature found this, put it in the player and I got a little gobsmacked at one particular song called, "Talk To Me". Any self-proclaimed neo-soul egghead has heard the gorgeous 1993 Me'shell Ndegeocello track, "Outside Your Door", off of her (amazing) debut, Plantation Lullibies. Well, apparently, "Talk To Me" was written by a then unknown Meshell Lynn Johnson and she's credited as the writer of this track on Voyceboxing's one and only self-titled 1991 album. Don't get confused...Meshell and Me'shell are the same person, just when you go for a fabulous musical makeover adding an apostrophe to divide your name in half is the essential way to go. I'm still not quite sure if Me'shell was a part of Voyceboxing or just passing through, because it is never mentioned in the liner notes nor in Me'shell's bio. Hmm...interesting. There isn't much info about Voyceboxing aside from the fact that it was jazz musician Lenny White's project, but the album itself it pretty good...you might see this again as a Spin Me Right Round review in the future *winks* "Talk To Me" is physically the first recording of the timeless "Outside Your Door" but done differently as it's more synth savvy and doesn't have that "raw n' stripped" appeal of the well-known version. Still the song is just as moving, gorgeous and poignant no matter what version you hear...I like 'em both and it's kind of nice to discover two different versions.

Compare and contrast below...

Talk To Me-Voyceboxing

Outside Your Door-Me'shell Ndegeocello

Artist Watch: With Mr. Hudson There Are 'No Tears'

Call me a little on the lateness, but I've been on Mr. Hudson's tailbone since he was on the most bearable song on Kanye West's vanity project, 808's and Heartbreak. Excuse me, us States dwellers always hear about stuff at the last minute. Considering that Kanye himself voiced that the UK bred producer/singer will be "bigger than him", 2009 looks bright for Mr. Hudson. Mr. Hudson is indeed a promising artist who is bringing something different to the table. Some might recognize the name as the musician was (and still is) apart of the musical outfit, Mr. Hudson and The Library (the name sounds like a children's book...but in a good way) whom had an album out last year called, A Tale Of Two Cities. If you like your music Neapolitan ice cream style, then that's what you'll get with them. A mixture of Reggae, R&B, rock, folk...truly a mixed bag of stuff that reminds me of something Howard Jones or Peter Gabriel crafted in the 80's. I combed through the YouTube links before I went on vacay and they were pretty darn good (check out "Bread + Roses") so of course I'm even more deeply curious than before. A new track, "There Will Be Tears" got a leak last month and it's slated to be on the artist's upcoming solo debut. Okay, okay, there is vocodor galore on it, but it's actually not that bad considering that Mr. Hudson doesn't abuse it and the song has a nice moody mid-tempo percussive back beat and a somber piano. So take a listen and don the stalker attire if you like what you hear...I know I'm in stakeout mode with this artist.

There Will Be Tears

Reheating Leftovers: Back In Stride Again...

Hi, I'm back!!!! Welly wells, it's been a hot minute of a week...went back to my hometown, ate too much, saw too many relatives, bought too much, watched Pushing Daisies (Lee Pace needs to marry me this instant!) too much on my brand spanking new iPod Touch and never got much sleep, figures right? That's how my "vacations" are...but I'm back in stride again, and this week should be normal blogging. So what did I miss while I was away? My mini-rundown of music happenings that I was itching to put my 2 cents in while I was computer-less for five days (!!!).

*Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" Hits #1: Can we all say FINALLY?!? It took from May 2008 (when the single was initially released) till January 2009 for this to occur and it just goes to show you that the music industry moves at a molasses in winter pace. Though the song was #2 on my best of '08 list, I still feel hollow about this victory, since well...this song is crinkly parchment paper old now. So for 2009, let's give "Pokerface" a chance...soon and not in January 2010.

*Mariah Carey Re-Does "Hero": I'm the resident Mariah Carey fan in my family (we are a cold rigid bunch, whilst I'm the Queen of Glitter and Goodness) so of course this video was brought up snarkily by cousins, to ruin my blissful moment over a plate of enchiladas. Remember that shoddy excuse for a ballads compilation that was released in the UK a while back? Well, it's hitting Stateside now, and boy, Mariah must've used all her money on hubby Nick Cannon over the holidays because she's resorted to re-recording old dried up hits for cash. Sad. It's not the fact that she sings it bad (okay...it lacks a bit of emotion and there are some unnecessary vocal runs), it's the fact that she's attempting glory days long gone and it's kind of a waste of tape. I just want Mariah with a champagne glass in one hand and a pen in the other, and ideas in her brain, thank you much.

*Kelly Clarkson POPS: It's the trifecta of the colors of my old Barbie Dream House! Dreary December days no more, Kelly Clarkson unveiled her new album cover last week and my oh mighty it's a POW! of colors and Kelly wearing bright pink lip gloss. The cover reminds me of Suzy Quatro, Olivia Newton John and Microsoft Paint artwork that your little sister made all in one. Not wild about the album title (which was also unveiled this past week) which is called, All I Ever Wanted. It sounds so plain Jane against that rainbow sorbet backdrop. Well, at least this is an inkling that Kelly is making her fourth installment (her 4th?!? Dang, I remember when she won American Idol...) a sunshiny affair.

*Polow Da Don Drank "I'm Trippin' Hard" Juice: To think some Polow Da Don news attracted me...I must've been bored...Apparently he voiced to MTV that his current musical partnership with Ciara is alike to the musical partnership of Timbaland and the late Aaliyah. *crickets* Uh...when you and Ciara come up with a hit like "One In A Million", then maybe we'll make a comparison but since Polow has been working with Ciara and putting out sub par material as of late, um...HALE NO. My wish for 2009...for all R&B princesses (and their big headed producers) to not model/compare their careers around Aaliyah, let the woman rest in peace and get your own ideas.

*Jermaine Dupri Gets A Pink Slip: And no Janet Jackson isn't wearing it... JD (who is the President at the label) got the boot over at Island Records, reasons why are still unknown and no the recession had nothing to do with it. My guess for the firing is probably for single-handily running Mariah and Janet's current careers into the abyss of failure but I'm just being a bit bitchy due to my jet-lag. This week we will get a chance to know what really went down when the news is announced...my how the mighty have fallen

*Fergie Gets Married To Tad Hamilton: Correction--Fergie gets married to Mr. Sexy Pants Josh Duhamel...but he will always be Tad Hamilton to me. They've been engaged forever it seems but hey, it's one of the first celeb weddings of the year so jump that darn broom!