We have quite a few series style posts here on Y&Y. We have Eargasms on a Wednesday, Throwback Thursdays on a Thursday (sometimes re-titled Flashback Fridays if we forget to post on a Thursday) and the LDN.365 posts everyday. I have taken it upon my self to produce a series of my own which will focus on music news that has surfaced during the week. Sundays is the designated day for this post so check here every Sunday for your weekly round up. I’ll start with Michael Jackson and a few other pieces of music news. Want to get clued up? Then read on (p.s expect a long post).
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Michael Jackson To Release New Album
So what I’m about to write will come as no shock to some of you and may cause mixed feelings amongst others but share with you I will. News has surfaced that a new Michael Jackson album is to see the light of day in November. The new release is said to feature 10 previously unreleased tracks which are being distributed via Sony Music as part of a 7 year deal worth $250 million dollars. Check what Jackson’s manager Frank DiLeo had to say about the project below:
“There are a couple of songs we recorded for the ‘Bad’ album that we had to cut that are just sensational,” DiLeo said.
“Every time that [Jackson] recorded, he over-recorded. He would record anywhere from 20 to 30 songs for each album,” former Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola told RS last year. Any of them could have been as big a hit as the ones that came out.” One of the most noteworthy tracks was a “Thriller” outtake titled “Don’t Be Messin’ Around.” Other candidates include any of the reported five songs that Jackson recorded with Will.i.am
Is this a way to carry on his legacy or a money making scheme capitalising on his untimely death? Make of it what you will; I would love to hear your views.
New American Idol Judges
With Simon Cowell removing himself from his post as American idol judge the show was always going to search for a new judge. The transition faze was inevitable however reports suggest that Kara Dioguardi has been relieved of her duties in addition to the confirmation of quick stop judge Ellen DeGeneres departure. So that is three new judges that need to be found.
Now rumours has it that none of than (oooo look at that booty) Jennifer Lopez is being lined up to take her seat behind the judging panel joining the last remaining orginal line up of judges Randy Jackson. With all this line up change the Sugababes come to mind. Will JLo make a good judge or not and can Idol survive such drastic changes, what do you think?
Kelly Rowland Album Pushed Back Again
If ever I could wish for anything I think it would be that Kelly Rowland succeeds in the seemingly hard music industry. While I’ve been eagerly anticipating her new I can’t help but feel anxious for her. This not being helped by the news of push backs. Her as yet untitled third album was due to hit stores in September but that date got switched to the end of October, now news has surfaced that the album has been pushed back once again to November 2nd.
Now although I may be growing increasingly impatient with the pending release of this album I actually think that it is a good idea to switch from an October 26th release to a November 2nd for two reasons. 1. The new release date sets the album up for the holiday sales boom which could and should help its chart performance. 2. Taylor Swift’s new LP is expected to drop on October 26th and although I would buy a Kelly album over a Taylor one any day the same cannot be guaranteed when dealing with the US population. The Americans seem to love them some of miss Swift which wouldn’t bode well for Rowland.
I’ve stated many times before that the Commander Urban Mix featuring Nelly is my jam and that I personally think that it deserves single treatment and a video to boot. This I feel would serve as a great single to satisfy her core urban fans while the original can hit the spot with mainstream radio.
Jamelia Signs New Record Deal
It has been 3 long years since we’ve heard from our girl Jamelia but today I bring you some good news surrounding her music career. After parting ways with EMI in 2007 she has officially signed a new record contract with what is reported to be a major label. A deal that was sealed live via UStream so that fans could witness the confirmation (something which, even though I didn’t see it, I admire).
Work on her new album had long begun while she had been on hiatus however she had no means of distribution. Now that she has signed a new deal a new single and video is soon on the horizon.
In her management’s offices, Jamelia said it was a “very exciting day for me” and added that she “wanted to share it with my fans”.
The 29-year-old was emotional as she signed the deal in front of the management team and her two children. Who the deal is with remains unknown.“Obviously this is really really exciting for me,” she said. “Let the games begin!”
Last month the singer confirmed that she would shoot a video for her new single as soon as the deal was signed.
3 years is a long time especially in the music industry where time waits for no one. Jamelia had her musical lane kind of carved out and she was comfortable in the direction she was headed however time has past and other artists have staked their claim in what can be considered as an over populated market. Will she be able slot right back into her lane or will she struggle to make an impact this time round?
A new record deal, a new start and a new direction is what I suggest. Or possibly a return to her most successful and well received sound which came in the form of her number 2 hit single Thank You. Although I do like to see growth from an artist and never really like to see them stay within their comfort zone (like’ all my records sound the same’ The Dream) a return to a successful formula may not be such a bad thing. In any event I am rooting for Miss Jamelia. Go Girl!
With this next artist the name of this site could not be any more relevant. Yin & Yang the founders of this site have contrasting opinions on this man one believes the hype and the other is not interested in the hype which ever side you fall on depends whether or not you will have an interest in what I’m about to say, but I’m going to say it anyway.
The release date for Songz’ 4th studio album ‘Passion, Pain & Pleasure’ is drawing closer, September is not far away at all so I guess it is that time when we more and more news about the project is subject to release. This week saw the release of the tracklisting for the album and naturally I present the information to you.
‘Passion, Pain & Pleasure’ Tracklisting
1 Here We Go Again (Interlude)
2 Love Faces
3 Massage
4 Alone
5 Bottoms Up (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
6 Pain (Interlude)
7 Can’t Be Friends
8 Please Return My Call
9 Made To Be Together
10 Pleasure (Interlude)
11 Red Lipstick
12 Doorbell
13 Passion (Interlude)
14 Unfortunate
15 I Like Dat (Freak Freaky Dance)
16 Blind
17 You Just Need Me
It is interesting to see that the album only consist of one feature. This suggests that Trey is confident enough in his ability that he doesn’t need to have an army of guest features to help sell records.
If Bottoms Up is representative of the whole album then I suggest that the album be pushed back slightly to allow more recording time. Although the sound isn’t the worst song I have ever heard I have heard so much better from Trey himself and the only way forward is to better his previous efforts.
Many more news stories could have been posted this week but I didn’t want the post to be too long. But if you wish to have more news stories next week the please feel free to let me know. Your feed back is essential in the development of this site and your opinions will be taken into consideration. Should this be a regular feature on the site? Do you find it informative? What could be changed? Please drop your answers and any other comments in the comments box as it will be much appreciated. Check back next week Sunday for more music news.
About DJB
DJB is the name and Yin&Yang is the game. I've been playing this game from almost the birth of Y&Y and haven't got bored yet. Infact i'd say i'm just getting started. For more info regarding myself head over to the Meet The Family page, if not then just tweet me @imDJB.