Gorillaz – Stylo (feat. Mos Def and Bobby Womack) (a J!-ENT World Groove Digital Single Review)
January 28, 2010 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Gorillaz latest single from their upcoming album “Plastic Beach” combines MC Mos Def with ’60s legendary singer/songwriter Bobby Womack in a song that feels like late ’80s electronica with rhythmic beats.
GROUP: Gorillaz
DIGITAL SINGLE: Stylo (feat. Mos Def and Bobby Womack)
LABEL: Virgin
DURATION: 4:30
RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2010
- Stylo (feat. Mos Def and Bobby Womack)
Back in 1998, Damon Albarn of the band Blur and Jamie Hewlett (co-creator of the comic book Tank Girl) were disenchanted by the rubbish they saw on MTV that they came up with the idea of creating a virtual band known as Gorillaz. The virtual band featured the characters 2D (vocals, keyboard), Murdoc (bass), Noodle (guitar) and Russel (drums).
The idea of having a virtual band and guest artist to release music has been going on quite awhile, as the concept was common in Japan but in the world, the most successful was Gorillaz who sold over seven million copies of their 2001 album “Gorillaz” and also earned a Guiness Book of World Records for most successful virtual band.
For the next decade, Gorillaz would release two albums, one compilation album and ten CD Singles. Their latest “Stylo” is from their upcoming album “Plastic Beach” slated for release in March 2010.
“Stylo” features MC/actor Mos Def and ’60s legend, singer/songwriter Bobby Womack (The Valentinos) featuring prominent synth and rhythmic beats, the track has more in common with Pet Shop Boys and Electronic, late ’80s electronica musically but Womack’s vocals gives the track another added dimension.
Overall, a decent single from the Gorillaz but for those who still yearn for the “Clint Eastwood” style of tracks, “Stylo” is not one of them but nevertheless, gives us a taste of what is to come in “Plastic Beach”.
Wonder Girls – Nobody – The Remix Edition (a J!-ENT World Groove Digital Single Music Review)
January 3, 2010 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Jason Nevins gives the Wonder Girls debut single “Nobody” an upbeat, club mix. Definitely worth adding to your playlist.
GROUP: Wonder Girls
DIGITAL SINGLE: Nobody – The Remix Editions
LABEL: JYP Entertainment
DURATION: 18:44
RELEASE DATE: October 30, 2009
- Nobody – Jason Nevins Remix
- Nobody – Jason Nevins Extended Remix
- Nobody – Jason Nevins Remix Instrumental
- Nobody – Jason Nevins Extended Remix Instrumental
The Korean pop group Wonder Girls (feat: Yubin, Ye Eun, Sunye, Sunmi and Sohee) have dominated Korean pop charts with singles “Tell Me”, “So Hot” and “Nobody” which all three were #1 and in 2008, the group would win two Daesang Awards for “Artist of the Year”.
With the quintet receiving positive nods from American gossip queen Perez Hilton, the group was brought to the US by JYP Entertainment and Jonas Group and opened for the Jonas Brothers during their nationwide tour (previously performing with producer Park Jin-Young during his tour in the US in NYC and LA).
The group released their first all-English single of their song “Nobody” and in October 2009, a remix edition of the “Nobody” was released online via digital music retailers.
The single features a remix and extended remix versions by world renown New York producer/remixer Jason Nevins plus the instrumental versions of those songs.
Nevins known for his house music gives a pretty upbeat, beat-driven, club remix of “Nobody”. For the most part, if you are a fan of Jason Nevins work, you’ll appreciate the remix version he gave to “Nobody”. Where the original had a pretty solid pop interpretation, Nevins gives a different musical interpretation and for the most part, it’s a club mix that works.
If you enjoyed the Wonder Girls “Nobody”, overall the remix version of “Nobody” by Jason Nevins is quite solid and definitely worth adding to your playlist. If you had one choice to pick from the four tracks, I definitely recommend the extended remix version of “Nobody”. As for the Wonder Girls, a tour is planned in January 2010 and a new album featuring English versions of their Koreans hits and new material is being planned for release in February 2010.
Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah’s New Dance Mixes) (a J!-ENT World Groove Digital Single Review)
November 29, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Although a remix of Mariah’s popular christmas song, “All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah’s New Dance Mixes) is actually not that bad. Low Sunday does a good job pulling off the remixes and paying respect to the original track! Definitely worth checking out!
ARTIST: Mariah Carey (feat. remixes by Low Sunday)
DIGITAL SINGLE: All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah’s New Dance Mixes)
LABEL: Columbia
DURATION: 15:16
RELEASE DATE: November 23, 2009
- All I Want for Christmas Is You (Mariah’s New Dance Mix 2009)
- All I Want for Christmas Is You (Mariah’s New Dance Edit Mix 2009)
- All I Want for Christmas Is You (Mariah’s New Dance Extended Mix 2009)
Every Christmas, I have to get my Mariah Carey “All I Want for Christmas” fix as the song for me is just one of those “must-listen-to” Christmas songs. And while perusing the digital online stores, I saw a digital single release of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” featuring 2009 dance mixes by Low Sunday. Low Sunday recently did a remix for Mariah Carey’s “I Want to Know What Love Is”.
I know there will be some who will roll their eyes and thinking “why must they remix this song”? But I figured, it’s a pretty fun song, why not give it a try.
Dance remix for “All I want for Christmas” is a pretty solid, upbeat dance mix version. As for three songs on the single, they are very much alike, so you can pretty much either go for the first track or the extended version (the third track) if you are interested in purchasing one of the digital tracks (you really don’t need all three). But personally, if you can find the original, buy the original version of the song and if you want a remixed, upbeat house mix the track then definitely check this single out.
Rihanna – Russian Roulette (a J!-ENT World Groove Digital Single Review)
November 5, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
“A more edgier side to Rihanna. Awesome vocals and overall a solid mid-tempo track!”
ARTIST: Rihanna
DIGITAL SINGLE: Russian Roulette
LABEL: Def Jam
DURATION: 3:48
RELEASE DATE: November 3, 2009
- Russian Roulette
Which started a post from Rihanna’s Twitter account, people wondered what “The Wait Is Ova. Nov 23 09” meant. Some speculated a new album and for the most part, people are right.
Not long after, news was announced that a single titled “Russian Roulette” from Rihanna would be release plus announcement of her fourth album “Rated R”.
For many fans of Rihanna, many have waited for a release since the incident between her and former boyfriend Chris Brown. We saw a lively collaboration not long ago with Jay-Z and Kanye West for “Run This Town” but now, here we are with the long awaited single “Russian Roulette”. A single that showcases the edgier side of the pop star. Nice deep mid-tempo grooves that is secondary to Rihanna’s beautiful vocals.
But you can’t help but zero-in on Rihanna’s lyrics in the song. Rihanna sings:
I’m wondering will I ever see another sunrise?
So many won’t get the chance to say goodbye
But it’s too late to think of the value of my life
“Russian Roulette” features a more edgier side to Rihanna’s music. But for the most part, she takes command of the song through her beautiful vocals and for the most part, the single really showcases her beautiful vocals intermixed with sadness. But after the media circus that she’s been through this year alone, can anyone blame her?
In an interview with MTV news, Ne-yo, who produced the single said, “She wanted to be dark, but not just dark for the sake of being dark. Dark with kind of a meaning, dark with some kind of thing to it.”
Overall, a solid single and I definitely look forward to her album “Rated R”.
Britney Spears – 3 (a J!-ENT World Groove Digital Single Review)
October 17, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
“Britney’s 30th single is sexy, fun and another chart topping hit guaranteed to make you dance and move!”
ARTIST: Britney Spears
DIGITAL SINGLE: 3
LABEL: Jive
DURATION: 3:33
RELEASE DATE: October 6, 2009
- 3
Britney Spears returns with her 30th single titled “3″ produced by Max Martin (writer of Pink’s “So What”, Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” and “Hot N Cold” and also Britney’s “Baby One more Time”) and Shellback (co-writer of “Pink’s “So What” and Britney Spears last single “If U Seek Amy”).
The single is a song that will be featured in her upcoming greatest hits compilation “The Singles Collection” and another wonderful pop song that features that wonderful electropop vibe and revolves around threesomes. The single features cool bass beats and a strong sexual innuendo with lyrics such as:
Merrier the more
Triple fun that way
Twister on the floor
What do you say?
Are – you in
Livin’ in sin is the new thing (yeah)
Are – you in
I am countin’!
1, 2, 3
Not only you and me
Got one eighty degrees
And I’m caught in between
Countin’
1, 2, 3
Peter, Paul & Mary
Gettin’ down with 3P
Everybody loves ***
Countin’
Overall, the single is quite solid and definitely another enjoyable hit from Britney Spears. The single has done well as it has debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and is the third Spear’s song to hit #1 (since 1998′s “Baby One More time” and 2008′s “Womanizer”). I definitely look forward to the upcoming remixes for this single and for Britney fans, another single worth checking out!
Emily Osment – All the Way Up (a J!-ENT World Groove Digital Single Review)
September 8, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
“A good, solid rock debut for the ‘Hannah Montana’ actress turned music star.”
ARTIST: Emily Osment
DIGITAL SINGLE: All the Way Up
LABEL: Wind-Up Records
DURATION: 3:13
RELEASE DATE: August 25, 2009
- All the Way Up
Emily Osment has been a popular face among the Disney Channel teens as the best friend of Miley Cyrus’s character in the popular “Hannah Montana” series.
Her first musical debut was back in 2007 with the track “I Don’t Think About It” which was used as a theme song for R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: Don’t Think About It” and followed up with a duet with “Hannah Montana” star Mitchel Musso with the song “If I Didn’t Have You” which appeared on the DisneyMania 6 album.
But with the release of “All the Way Up”, the song is the Disney star’s attempt with a major musical release that focuses on a more Indie rock side which we have seen with Ashley Tisdale, Selina Gomez and Demi Lovato. And for the most part, the rock music fits her vocal style and works.
I have to admit that when I first listened to “I Don’t Think About It” back in 2007, the song was a bit too pedestrian for me and her duet with Mitchel Muso didn’t really make me think that she had what it takes to become a full-fledged singer but for her first major solo single “All the Way Up” definitely shows some promise that Osment is very serious about this latest release and for the most part, it’s a pretty good rock single.
But with only one single, I definitely look forward to see if she will be well-marketed like the other Disney turned music talents and also if she can follow up with the same quality for her next release. Overall, Osment’s first solo single is a good solid start.
weezer – (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To (a J!-ENT Digital Single Review)
August 31, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
“The first single off weezer’s upcoming seventh album ‘Raditude’ is catchy, addictive and freakin’ cool!”
BAND: weezer
DIGITAL SINGLE: (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
LABEL: DGC/Interscope
DURATION: 3:29
RELEASE DATE: August 25, 2009
BUY THIS CD SINGLE
- (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
The alternative rock band weezer returns with their latest single “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” from their seventh album “Raditude” (planned for an Oct. 2009 release).
Produced by Butch Walker (of Marvelous 3) who has produced songs for Pink, Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne and Japanese female rock duo Puffy, the latest single features an addictive, fun and enjoyable style, somewhat reminiscent of the Cheap Trick classic “I Want You to Love Me”. But that’s not a bad thing… It’s actually kind of interesting but for the most part, fun and enjoyable.
The track is acoustic guitar and percussion driven with enjoyable vocals, catchy rhythm and entertaining lyrics and definitely a departure from a lot of their past hits. For the most part, I enjoy hearing something different from the band.
Granted, it will be interesting to see what kind of album “Raditude” will be. I know plenty of fans who want the return of the band’s power cords and something upbeat and electric guitar driven and this track, may not sooth their souls but for the most part, I enjoyed the track and yeah, it may be commercially appealing for those not familiar with their music but as long as the style of “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” is not indicative of the overall upcoming album, I definitely look forward in seeing what the group has to offer, especially with their other track collaborations with Butch Walker, especially with Jermaine Dupri.
Overall, “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” is an entertaining single from the band. Different, but then again weezer has been one of those bands that have never shied away from experimenting with there music, so although this track did seem a bit Cheap Trick-ish, I really enjoyed it!
I definitely look forward to their upcoming album!
Backstreet Boys – Straight Through My Heart (a J!-ENT World Groove Digital Single Review)
August 21, 2009 by Michelle Tymon · Leave a Comment
“Straight Through My Heart” is a catchy dance number showing that Backstreet’s Back once again!
GROUP: Backstreet Boys
TITLE: Straight Through My Heart (Digital Single)
LABEL: JIVE
DURATION: 3:28
RELEASE DATE: 8/18/2009
1. Straight Through My Heart
The Boys went for a slightly different sound than their usual mid-tempo ballads. This song is synth-heavy and an up-tempo dance song, comparable to some of Lady Gaga’s songs. The boys always try to blend their style with what’s popular at the time which is great because their sound evolves without losing their original sound.
This song features all four members singing about the same amount, unlike before where only two or three members would have the majority of lead vocals. This first single from their upcoming album, “This is Us” (slated to come out 10/06/09), has less emphasis on their strong harmonies, but it is still present in the song. This is one of the only times that the Boys have released an up-tempo song as a first single from their upcoming album and I think it’s a great idea.
Other than great vocals, this song has a very important factor to make it as a successful pop song: it’s very catchy. At first, the song didn’t hit me very strong, but after a couple hours I wanted to listen to it again and currently it’s on my playlist. The only complaint I have is that some of the lyrics are extremely cheesy.
Somehow I can’t help but laugh at the lyrics, “Soldier down”. But then again, it’s a pop song and cheesy lyrics go hand in hand with it.
Otherwise, I think it’s a catchy, fun song and I hope that the pop scene audience gives their new song a chance. The Backstreet Boys have a great talent and despite the negative stigma that comes with most pop music. Their fans are worldwide and they have some of the most loyal fans I have ever seen. Since this is a great dance number, fans can expect some great choreography to come out of this song too for their upcoming tour and live performances.
I think this is a great step forward to fit into what’s selling right now in popular music and proves that they have staying power. New Kids on the Block made a comeback last year, hopefully this will be Backstreet’s big comeback.
Sean Paul – Press It Up (Album Version) (a J!-ENT World Groove Digital Single Review)
August 13, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
“Sean Paul’s ‘Press It Up’ gives fans a taste of his upbeat, dance music from his upcoming album ‘Imperial Blaze’. Overall, another catchy, addictive and solid dancehall track!”
ARTIST: Sean Paul
DIGITAL SINGLE: Press It Up (Album Version)
LABEL: VP/Atlantic Records
DURATION: 3:43
RELEASE DATE: August 11, 2009
BUY THIS CD SINGLE
- Press It Up (Album Version)
Sean Paul is going to make you move with his latest single “Press It Up”!
Sean Paul has been captivating audiences with his hip hop, reggae and dancehall music. But with the last single release of “So Fine”, excited fans got a taste of what may be in store for his fourth upcoming album “Imperial Blaze” (set for release on August 18th).
But for those clamoring for that dancehall style of music, a digital release titled “Press It Up” (the second single) from the upcoming album was released. The song is more upbeat, pop and synth driven combined with Sean Paul’s rhymes and overall, the song is quite appealing and addictive.
For those that worried if Sean Paul has strayed away from this well-known body shakin’ dancehall music have no need to worry because this track is solid!
So far, two solid singles from the album and giving fans a good reason to check out the upcoming “Imperial Blaze” LP!
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West – Run This Town (a J!-ENT World Groove Digital Single Review)
August 12, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
“An awesome collaboration and for the most part, a solid single from Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West and a track to get us all hyped up for Jay-Z’s upcoming album ‘Blueprint 3′!”
ARTIST: Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
DIGITAL SINGLE: Run This Town
LABEL: Roc Records
DURATION: 4:34
RELEASE DATE: August 11, 2009
BUY THIS CD SINGLE
- Run This Town
Jay-Z returns with Kanye West (who produced his last single “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tone)” along with hip hop and R&B producer No I.D. The track would also be significant as it would feature Rihanna in her first music-related release since the Chris Brown incident.
As for the inspiration of the song, during an interview with Tim Westwood, Jay-Z tells Westwood, “We basically run this town,” Jay said. “It’s myself, Rihanna and Kanye. It’s pretty much it.” Nevertheless, Jay-Z gives listeners and fans another single as many anticipate his upcoming album “Blueprint 3″ (which was produced by Kanye West and slated for a Sept. 11th release).
The single features Jay-Z’s smooth, lyrical rhymes and as always delivered with precision and balanced with Rihanna’s vocals, while West delivers the beats. For the most part, the song is about re-evaluating fame as evident from the lyrics to “Run This Town”:
I bought my whole family whips, no Volvos
Next time I’m in church, please no photos
Police escorts
Everybody passports
This the life that everybody ask for
This a fast life
We are on a crash course
What you think I rap for
To push a fucking RAV4?
Overall, another solid single from Jay-Z and an awesome collaboration with Rihanna and producer Kanye West and No I.D. And again, another track to get people all hyped up for the upcoming album! Definitely recommended!
