Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey:
[email protected])
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Madonna - American Life This has No.1 written all over it and probably stay there, at least for a couple of weeks. The Queen of Pop is back, and this is her finest single release to date. The first single from Madonna's forthcoming album of the same name, 'American Life' finds the enduring pop queen reclaiming her throne. Co-produced once more by French studio wizz Mirwais (he of last album 'Music' and Bond theme 'Die Another Day'), this single sees Madge getting back to her twisted, electronic pop best.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Blur - Out of time Following a four year hiatus, Blur return this week with the stirring new single 'Out Of Time', the first insight into the band's long awaited forth-coming album, 'Think Tank'. Already shrouded in controversy and rumour, due to guitarist Graham Coxon's unexpected departure; 'Out Of Time' still remains a classic, if somewhat left-of-centre, return from one of the UK's finest bands. A compassionate and strangely uplifting song. Loads of single releases this week and hard to choose a record that, guaranteed a chart impact, hard decision in the end, it went to blur.
ALSO RELEASED
Aaliyah - Don't Know What To Tell Ya Lifted from Aaliyah's 'I Care 4 U' album (a collection of greatest hits and previously un-released music), 'Don't Know What To Tell Ya' is yet another reminder of what a unique and sorely missed talent the late r'n'b singer remains. Performed with typical verve and combining just the right amount of pop and underground r'n'b flavour; it's already doing the rounds on the best urban dancefloors and should keep Aaliyah's legacy burning brightly for plenty of time to come.
D-Side - Speechless Debut single from an unknown Irish boy band called D-Side, should give Westlife a run for their money. Winner of the 2002 Smash Hits Best New Tour Act Award, Irish five-piece D-Side are already shaping up to become one of this year's most exciting young UK pop propositions. Already going down a storm on TV music stations like The Box, not-to-mention in the schools that have been lucky enough to see them perform live, 'Speechless' is an energetic, edgy pop debut from, along with Triple 8 anyway.
Floetry - Floetic Two South London girls - Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart - you may think you've not heard of Floetry, but chances are that you've been touched by their talent. Now settled comfortably into Philly's nu-soul scene, the duo have already written songs for Michael Jackson (the beautiful 'Butterflies'), Jill Scott & The Roots, Bilal and Eric Benet, amongst others, and 'Floetic' is their sublime debut single release. An innovative blend of soul, hip-hop, jazz and spoken word -think somewhere in between Jill Scott's vibes and Me'shell Ndegeocello's verse - 'Floetic' is a stunning debut and serves as a perfect taster.
Goldfrapp - Train One of the most beguiling new acts to emerge over the last few years, Goldfrapp return this week with a wonderful first taster from their long-awaited new album (their first since 2000). Representing a significant development in the band's sound, 'Train' is far more electronic and rhythmic than anything on the last album, and even sees sleazy disco influences creeping to the fore.
Jay-Z - Excuse Me Miss Jay-Z returns, this time with a little help from The Neptunes and Pharrell Williams. The second single from his brilliant 'The Blueprint 2: The Gift And The Curse' album, 'Excuse Me Miss' finds the Jigga Man Jay-Z at his absolute finest! Produced by the hugely respected Neptunes duo, with Pharrell Williams supplying some guest crooning, this is a silky-smooth, sophisticated rap flow that finds Jay-Z at his most seductive.
Ian McCulloch - Slideling Superb new single from the ex-Echo & The Bunnymen frontman. The first taster of Ian McCulloch's forthcoming solo effort, 'Slideling', new single 'Sliding' (confusing, we know) also happens to find the Echo & The Bunneymen frontman at his most majestic in, wow, ages! Retaining his distinctly individual style, whilst at the same time not alienating existing Bunneymen fans, this is a superb insight into what promises to be a fine album from a uniquely British singing and songwriting talent.
Lionel Richie ft. Enrique Iglesias - To Love A Woman Two of the biggest-selling names in music today; the legendary Lionel Richie and Latino crooner Enrique Iglesias join forces to bring to you a love song to beat all others, 'To Love A Woman'. Having come about because of a mutual song writing admiration between both singers (not-to-mention Lionel's long-time friendship with Julio Iglesias), this is a beautiful song that not only highlights what talents both artists are, but, despite the years, proves that Lionel Richie can still cut it with the best of them.
Paffendorf - Crazy Sexy Marvellous Having already scored a huge hit with 'Be Cool', one of last year's biggest trance tunes, Paffendorf return this week with what's already shaping up to become one of this summer's most euphoric dancefloor stompers. Currently being spun by the trance scene's biggest party jocks, the impossibly infectious strains of 'Crazy, Sexy, Marvellous' also comes with another typically stellar Data Recordings remix package.
Planet Funk - Who Said They may have been fairly quiet since the brilliant 'Chase The Sun' stormed both the dance AND national charts way back in 2001, but Anglo-Italian collective Planet Funk return this week with a massive houser that's already getting many jocks all hot-under-the-collar. A former buzz chart biggie, with a contagious vocal from UK vocalist Dan Black, 'Who Said?' retains all the idiosyncrasies of 'Chase The Sun' but injects a funkier, all-round groovier feel for today's more demanding floors
Plummet - Damaged This is a great club anthem, its original, with the reminisce of Roger Sanchez No.1 hit of 'Another Chance', should do well, surely a Top 10 club anthem. Already huge with the likes of Judge Jules, Dave Pearce and Tall Paul, amongst many others, Plummet's massive vocal trancer 'Damaged' FINALLY arrives this week for mass consumption. The work of Miami based producer DJ Eric B Muniz, with vocals from newcomer Nikki, this is one of those rarities for all trance tastes, and comes with yet another superb set of remixes. Could be a biggie this summer!
Robbie Williams - Come Undone Robbie's second release from the album 'Escapology', unfortunately for Robbie he will have to settle for second best. Having returned to the pop fray with one of his finest songs in years, the brilliant 'Feel', off his superb comeback album ('Escapology'), Robbie Williams returns this week with hit number two from said album, 'Come Undone'. Another typically slice of razor-witted Robbie pop, 'Come Undone' finds the man at his best, and proves that he's still way out there in a league of his own.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Date With The Night The 'oh so kool' nu yawk trash punks keep the anticipation burning for their forthcoming debut album with the release of 'Date with the Night.' More straightforward than some of the material on 5 Song EP, Date with the Night is anthemic and radio friendly, believe it or not. I hate to use the word, especially in this day and age, but a Date With The Night sounds pretty cool to me.
And the following acts are also releasing, but probably won't penetrate the Top 40
American Hi-Fi - The Art Of Losing
Brendan Benson - Metarie
Def Leppard - Long Long Way To Go
DJ Poverello - Avalanche
Andrea Doria - Bucci Bag
The Faint - Agenda Suicide
Alex Gold ft. Phil Oakey - L.A. Today
Martin L. Gore - Stardust
Grand Popo Football Club - Men Are Not Nice Guys
InMe - Neptune
Interpol - Say Hello To The Angels / NYC
Jan Johnston - Calling Your Name
The Kills - Fried My Little Brains
Mankato - Flesh And Bone
Reno - Rock 'N' Roll
Sugarcult - Stuck In America
Venus Hum - Montana
Forthcoming Singles
April 28 Ronan Keating - The Long Goodbye / Love won't wait
April 28 Puretone - Stuck in a groove
April 28 Tomcraft - Loneliness
April 28 V-Birds - Virtuality
April 28 Craig David ft. Sting - Rise & Fall
April 28 Bone Thugs n' Harmony ft. Phil Collins - Home
May 5 The Androids - Do it with Madonna
May 5 The Cheeky Girls - Take your shoes off
May 12 Girls Aloud - No good advice
May 12 Boomkat - The Wreckoning
May 12 Love Inc. - Broken Bones
May 19 t.A.T.u - Not gonna get us
May 19 Justin Timberlake - Rock with you
May 19 Stereophonics - Madame Helga
May 28 Emma Bunton - Free me
June 2 Christina Aguilera - Fighter
June 2 S Club Juniors - Fool no more
June 2 Dannii Minogue - Don't wanna lose this feeling
June 2 Delta Goodrem - Lost without you
