Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey:
[email protected])
RECORD OF THE WEEK
No.1 Richard X Vs. Liberty X - Being Nobody No.1
Richard X (the man behind the original bootie that the Sugababes' 'Freak Like Me' was based on) goes head-to-head with Liberty X. This has No.1 written all over it. Samples Human League's 80s single 'Being Boiled' and covering Rufus & Chaka Khan hit 'Ain't Nobody'. From a band that's already jumped into mainstream music and have lost that popstars icon, they have had the best 12 months of their life, also winning a Brit Award for the best single for 'Just A Little'. This single will probably hang about at No.1 for a while its definitely a long stayer and could be in with a chance the best single of the year.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Blue - U Make Me Wanna
Blue have been unstoppable over the last year or so; and fresh from a brilliant Brits performance (and win, for Best Pop Act) the foursome keep the momentum rolling along nicely with their brilliant new single, 'U Make Me Wanna'. A silky smooth, pop-tinted r'n'b groover (in the lads' familiar style) with production from Stargate.
ALSO RELEASED
Simply Red - Sunrise It's been a while, but Simply Red return this week with the first single from their long-awaited forthcoming album, 'Home'. A definite return to form, 'Sunrise' is also proof positive that Mick Hucknall hasn't lost any of his vocal flair whilst at the same time serving as a perfect reminder of why the band have remained at the top of the pop game for the best part of fifteen years. Featuring a well used Hall & Oates sample (from 'I Can't Go For That') around an infectious, uplifting backing and Hucknall's soulful vocals. Definitely a Top 10 hit welcome back Mick
Matrix Vs. Goldtrix - It's love (Trippin) Originally released in January 2002, Goldtrix's vocal house anthem 'Trippin'' resurfaces this week thanks to a firing new drum & bass mix from Matrix (aka the trix part of the original duo, not-to-mention d'n'b don Optical's little brother). Already receiving ample support from right across the dance spectrum (especially from drum & bass heavy-weights like Grooverider, Shy FX and Marcus Intalex), it's an excellent mix, and one that'll become a staple on ALL dancefloors this summer.
Linkin' Park - Somewhere I belong They may have been away a while, but that's obviously not dampened any of Linkin Park's fire. The first single from the band's long-awaited, forth-coming album, 'Somewhere I Belong' looks like it could see the US rockers reclaim their 'biggest metal band in the world' tag with ease. Not deviating too far from their well-established sound, it's another bruising mix of technology and riff-heavy crash bang wallop that'll easily please the band's army of existing fans whilst at the same time converting many more to the Linkin Park metal cause.
Ja Rule ft. Ashanti - Mesmerize Once again matching the gruff voiced rapper with his perfect r'n'b foil, the brilliant Ashanti, 'Mesmerize' is the latest (and best for sometime) from Ja Rule and the ever-consistent Murder Inc label. With laidback, sun-stoked production from head-honcho Irv Gotti, and superb vocals from both performers, this is another gem from what's fast becoming one of the most reliable urban double-acts around.
Mis-teeq - Scandalous Welcome back to Mis-teeq great song definitely a top 10 hit!!! If this is typical of what Mis-teeq's forthcoming album, 'Eye Candy', has to offer, then we're in for a real treat! Mixing infectious pop and sassy r'n'b in the Mis-teeq girls' own inimitable style, 'Scandalous' is a raw, sexy, hook heavy return from a trio that, on the evidence of this anyway, are all set to create havoc on urban floors.
B2K ft. P Diddy - Bump Bump Bump Already a number one hit Stateside, 'Bump Bump Bump' sees r'n'b foursome B2K return to the UK's musical radar this week with more catchy urban pop, this time though they've drafted in Mr P Diddy to add a little vocal assistance. Pretty much along the same lines as its predecessor, the excellent 'Uh Huh', this is another smooth-as-silk dancefloor bound urban sing-a-long that's already looking like the one that'll earn these lads the wider attention they so obviously deserve.
N*E*R*D* - Lapdance / Provider Having provided beats for just about everyone who's anyone in hip-hop, r'n'b and pop circles these days, production wizz kids The Neptunes have taken time and recorded some of their own stuff under their very own N*E*R*D moniker. A double A-side from their 're-recorded' album, 'In Search Of', both 'Provider' and 'Lapdance' are brilliant slabs of future funk in their own right.
Jan Wayne - Total Eclipse of my heart Hot-on-the-heels of their Top 20 bothering debut, 'Because The Night', Jan Wayne return this week with another equally catchy trance-pop offering, this time in the shape of an infectious new version of Bonnie Tyler's 80's classic, 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart'. Sticking fairly close to its predecessor's very successful Euro-tinted trance template, 'Total Eclipse...' 2003 is another irresistible slice of poppy dance that, will also find a place on a wide selection of commercial dancefloors.
Queen Vs. Vanguard Not only is this remix fully endorsed by the remaining members of Queen but, despite expectations, it's also actually very good. Big with all the trance scene's top jocks, Vanguard's update of 'Flash' is another typically driving dancefloor pounder from the Nebula label that, as you'd expect, also comes complete with another superb remix package. Vanguard deliver two, a straight-up trancer and a rather nifty electro version.
Rachel White - Cinderella's Playing Out! Already drawing comparisons to the likes of Christina Aguilera, J-Lo and Shakira, singer-songwriter Rachel White is looking like she could have a bumper year in 2003 - and her contagious debut single, 'Cinderella's Playing Out', is a perfect way to kick things off! Mixing irresistible pop sass with real melodies and an obvious talent for songwriting, on the evidence of her debut single, this talented UK singer could have a very big future indeed.
Stereopol - Dancin' Tonight Get out your seventies togs, unbutton your shirt and dig out the platforms because the Ministry Of Sound's Rulin' imprint are heading back to the disco-era for their latest slab of infectious party house. Returning to grass roots with a sexy, soulful, street smart strut, 'Dancin' Tonight' is an irresistible little groover with a soaring vocal that proves, once again, that keeping it simple is always best.
And the following acts are also releasing, but probably won't penetrate the Top 40
Abandoned Pools - Remedy
Beat Pusher ft. Miranda Brainsby - Saving Grace / Murto
Burn - Drunken Fool
MJ Cole - Wondering Why
Phil Collins - Let You Can Do
D4 - Ladies Man
Katoi - Touch Me
Raze - Break 4 Love
Saint Etienne - Soft Like Me
Something Corporate - Punk Rock Princess
