Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Daniel Bedingfield - Never Gonna Leave Your Side The latest single from his hugely successful 'Gotta Get Thru This' album, 'Never Gonna Leave Your Side' finds Daniel Bedingfield getting back to the kind of inspired balladeering he displayed on his biggest hit to-date, 'If You're Not The One'. Always one of the album's standouts, it's also accompanied on this release with remixes and bonus live tracks whilst the DVD format adds the video alongside the US video version of 'If You're Not The One'.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Deepest Blue - Deepest Blue Produced by Israeli-born Matti Schwartz with vocals from talented singer/songwriter Joel Edwards, 'Deepest Blue' is a superb new houser that heralds a slight change in direction for the usually more up-for-it Data Recordings label. The original is a sublime slice of groovy house that's perfect for long summer days and sweaty nights, whilst the remixes offer a little variety for all kinds of dance tastes. Electrique Boutique craft a storming deep trance workout, Lee Cabrera brings the drums on a tribal bruiser and John Hopkins funks it up. Yep, something for everyone!
All American Rejects - Swing Swing A four-piece band from Oklahoma, the All American Rejects are already beginning to make a stir on both sides of the Atlantic with their own brand of distinctly edgy, hooky pop-rock. Their UK debut single, 'Swing Swing' is the Rejects' sound down to a tee. Instantly catchy, it also possesses a slightly murkier undercurrent to much of the pop-rock-punk around right now, and it even made Radio 1's Jo Whiley gush '...that I defy you not to sing a long to this one.'
Delays - Hey Girl Not heard of Delays yet? Well, it's only a matter of time! The Southampton four-piece make the kind of classic, hum able timeless pop that's just made for radio airwaves, and their latest single, 'Hey Girl', is a perfect example of them in full flow. A swirling indie-pop follow-up to last single 'Nearer Than Heaven', it should, hopefully, also be the one to this majestic young band get the kind of wider attention their music so obviously deserves.
Four Day Hombre - The First Word Is The Hardest The First Word Is The Hardest, they say - and by the end of it you'll have already made your mind up about the vocal style. Personally I found it a bit grating, close to Haven in its over-eager innocence, but in accompaniment an impressive wall of sound is generated as the song progresses. The main melody should be enough to make this a hit. Flipside, there's a pleasingly nocturnal Resolve, which spoils itself by adopting the same production tactics. Then comes the more psychedelic Too Cool To Shop, taking Four Day Hombre towards Super Furry Animals territory.
Goldfrapp - Strict Machine Alison Goldfrapp's mind is a strange place. She's done bestiality (the wolves and deer of Europe can relax) and now she's in love with a Strict Machine. A pounding drums & bass rhythm anchors typical Goldfrapp synth flights of fancy, with Alison's fabulous voice like a layer of shiny icing on the top. "Wonderful electric / ... when you send me a pulse / feel a wave of new love through me", and it's a great single. The second taken from new album Black Cherry, it continues the journey from eerie mountainside to urban landscape. The chorus in particular proves ridiculously memorable, but as always with this band there is enduring interest as well as instant pleasure.
Kate Ryan - Scream For More / Desenchantee Nebula return this week with something else a little different. Veering away from the full-on trance that the label's usually renowned for, Kate Ryan's 'Scream For More' sees them veering ever-so-slightly into the realms of pop-dance. But do not fear - this isn't a bad thing! Already a hit around Europe, 'Scream For More' may be catchy, uplifting, sing-a-long pop-trance, but the whole thing's done so well that it's impossible not to get into it - oh, and it never loses sight of the dancefloor.
JD - Signal new signing to the So Solid Beats label, Birmingham's JD (aka Dready) might be a new name to most, but debut single 'Signal' should soon put an end to all that. A raucous party-shaking urban anthem, this release is also a perfect platform to check the skills of this man at close quarters before he blows up in the UK. He quested on Lisa Maffia's debut 'All Over', but on the evidence of 'Signal', it's only a matter of time before JD's rocking the show all by himself.
Cerys Matthews - Caught In The Middle This was meant to be released last week, but for some unknown reason it was re-scheduled for this week. The debut single from her highly rated solo debut album, 'Cockahoop', 'Caught In The Middle' also marks a real departure in sound and style for the former Catatonia front woman. A stunning self-penned track, recorded (as was the rest of the album) in Whites Creek, Nashville with producer Bucky Baxter (best known as steel guitarist for Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams and Steve Earle); it marks an inspired change of direction that's obviously been marked by marriage, impending motherhood and the lure of America's Deep South.
Space Cowboy - Just Put Your Hand In Mine The Space Cowboy (aka Nick Dresti to his mum) returns to Norman Cook's Southern Fried label this week with 'Just Put Your Hand In Mine', the long-awaited follow-up to last year's Prince rework, 'I Would Die For You'. Sampling the vocal from the Detroit Emerald's classic, 'Feel The Need In Me', and wrapping it around an explosive mix of slamming beats and a party-rocking bassline, this single's all set to move dancefloors throughout the summer, and also bodes well forthe man's soon to be released debut album.
Stereophonics - Maybe Tomorrow The follow-up to comeback single 'Madame Helga' (the first from the 'Phonics latest album, 'You Gotta Go There To Come Back'), 'Maybe Tomorrow' is another classic from the seemingly inexhaustible Welsh rockers. Typical Stereophonics, the brilliant original is also joined across three formats by some ace bonus tracks and video extras.
Triple 8 - Give Me A Reason Having cemented their bad boy rep with their debut Top 10 smash 'Knockout', cheeky fivesome Triple 8 return this week with an equally slamming slice of catchy pop in the shape of follow-up, 'Give Me A Reason'. With its funky guitar riffs, banging beats and catchy chorus, 'Give Me A Reason' won't disappoint fans of its predecessor, whilst the bonus tracks across both the CD singles only hint at the great things to come from that debut album. World domination awaits� I think NOT!!!
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Crackout - Out Of Our Minds
Discipline - Everywhere We Go
Double Dee - Shining
Flint - Aim
Home Grown - You're Not Alone
J Majik feat. Kathy Brown - Share The Blame
JD - Signal
Kapitahl:A - Keep the Belief
The Koreans - Machine Code
Machine Gun Fellatio - Impossible Love EP
Mower - The Morning After
Damien Rice - Volcano
Tindersticks - Sometimes It Hurts
Venus Hum - Soul Sloshing
Jimmy White - Minted
Young Heart Attack - Over And Over
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
July 28
Bon Garcon - Shake Shake
Blu Cantrell featuring Sean Paul - Breathe
Lucy Carr - This Is Goodbye
Paul Carrack - Where Did I Go Wrong?
The Dandy Warhols - The Last High
Craig David - Spanish
Dejure - Sanctuary
Fallacy - Monstrous
Fluke - Switch
Funeral For A Friend - Juneau
The Futureheads - First Day
Dana Glover - Rain
The Hiss - The Clever Kicks
Hot Hot Heat - No, Not Now
Indien - Show Me Love
Junior Senior - Rhythm Bandits
Kaci - I'm Not Anybody's Girl
Lisa Maffia - In Love
Lumidee featuring Busta Rhymes - Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)
Mankato - Wasted
Motor Ace - Carry On
M83 - Run Into Flowers
Pure Orange - Feel Alive
Razorlight - Rock 'N' Roll Lies
Relaxed Muscle - Billy Jack
Bob Sinclar - Kiss My Eyes
Ten Speed Racer - 15
Tiga - Hot In Herre
The Veils - Guiding Light
Voodoo & Serano - Overload
Wheatus - American In Amsterdam
Robbie Williams - Something Beautiful
Maria Willson - Chooza Looza
August 4
Alien Ant Farm - These Days
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Stop
The Blue Man Group featuring Gavin Rossale - The Current
The Cheeky Girls - Hooray Hooray (It's A Cheeky Holiday)
Client - Rock 'N' Roll Machine
Deftones - Bloody Cape
Dogs Die In Hot Cars - I Love You 'Cause I Have To
Elbow - Fallen Angel
Futureshock - Pride's Paranoia
Thea Gilmore - Juliet (Keep That In Mind)
Kosheen - All In My Head
Layo & Bushwacka! - It's Up To You (Shining Through)
Keith Murray featuring Def Squad - Yeah Yeah U Know It
Jason Nevins presents U.K.N.Y. featuring Holly James - I'm In Heaven
Stacie Orrico - Stuck
Mark Owen - Four Minute Warning
QFX - Freedom 2003
Kelly Rowland - Train On The Track
Serafin - Day By Day
State One - Forever And A Day
Supergrass - Rush Hour Soul
Tantalize - Definition
Ultrabeat - Pretty Green Eyes
Pharrell Williams featuring Jay-Z - Frontin'
Y Traxx - Mystery Land
August 11
Adema - Unstable
Airbiscuit - Lately
Audio Bullys - Way Too Long
Mary J Blige - Love At First Sight
Busted - Sleeping With The Light On
Capes - Regional Heats
Dallas Superstars - Helium
Macy Gray - She Ain't Right For You
P Diddy featuring Kelis - Let's Get Ill
Jaimeson - Complete
Mark Joseph - Fly
R Kelly - Snake
Kings Of Leon - Molly's Chambers
Stephanie Kirkham - Inappropriate
KoRn - Did My Time
Courtney Love - Mono
Monica - So Gone
Nio - Do You Think You're Special
Nova - All This Love
Petrice - Till I Kissed You
The Raveonettes - The Great Love Sound
David Sneddon - Best Of Order
Soda Club - Keep Love Together
State One - Forever And A Day
Stylophonic featuring Shock-G & Humpty Hump - Way Of Life
Tatjana - Santa Maria
Venus Hum - Soul Sloshing
Violent Delight - Transmission
Winnebago Deal - Man Hunt
Richard X featuring Kelis - Finest Dreams
August 18
4 Strings - Let It Rain
Amen UK - Passion 2003
Melanie Blatt - Do Me Wrong
Bowling For Soup - Punk Rock 101
The Clams - Cut Me Loose
Billy Crawford - Trackin'
Culture Beat - Mr. Vain Recall
D Kay & Epsilon featuring Stamina MC - Barcelona
Celine Dion - One Heart
Dizzee Rascal - Fix Up, Look Sharp
Electric Six - Dance Commander
The Free Association - Sugarman
Dave Gahan - I Need You
Girls Aloud - Life Got Cold
Good Charlotte - The Anthem
Grafiti - What Is The Problem?
Jewel - Intuition
Lemar - Dance (With U)
Annie Lennox - 1000 Beautiful Things
The Libertines - Don't Look Back Into The Sun
Nightlife - Shining Star
Outlandish - Aicha
Queens Of The Stone Age - First It Giveth
Radiohead - Go To Sleep
Rancid - Full Backdown
Sash! featuring TJ Davis - I Believe
Stain'd - So Far Away
System featuring Kerri B - If You Leave Me Now
Third Edge - Gonna Get U Down
The White Stripes - I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
August 25
A - Good Times
Abs featuring Nodesha - Miss Perfect
Tim Burgess - I Believe In The Spirit
Mariah Carey - Bringing On The Heartbreak
Kelly Clarkson - Miss Independent
Dare - Chihuahua
Drunkenmunkey - E
Gay Dad - Joy
Groove Armada - But I Feel Good
In-Grid - Tu Es Foutu
Junior Jack - E Samba
Love Inc - Here Comes The Sunshine
LeAnn Rimes - We Can
P-Nut - Hey Hey Hey
Sean Paul - Like Glue
Snap! vs Motivo - The Power Of Bhangra 2003
Speedway - Genie In A Bottle
Svenson & Gielen featuring Jan Johnston - Beachbreeze
The Thrills - Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far)
Third Light - Movin' On
Shania Twain - Thank You Baby (For Making Someday Come So Soon)
September 1
Audioslave - I Am The Highway
Big Brovaz - Baby Boy
Blackeyed Peas featuring Justin Timberlake - Where Is The Love?
Cooper Temple Clause - Promises Promises
Tim Deluxe - Less Talk, More Action
Dido - White Flag
Harry - So Real
Elton John - Are You Ready For Love?
Lacquer - Behind
Lamya - Black Mona Lisa
Lemonescent - Unconditional Love
Linkin Park - Numb
Marilyn Manson - This Is The New Shit
Moloko - Blow X Blow
Seal - Get It Together
Sonique - Alive
Starsailor - 4 To The Floor
Sugardaddy - Sweet Soca Music
Travis - TBA
September 8
Christina Aguilera featuring Lil' Kim - Can't Hold Us Down
The Ataris - The Boys Of Summer
Chemical Brothers - Golden Path
Siobhan Donaghy - Hate
Dutch featuring Crystal Waters - This Is My Time
Gareth Gates - Sunshine
Ainslie Henderson - Pretty Girls And Boys
HIM - Sacriment
Lene - It's Your Duty (To Shake That Booty)
Liberty X - Jumpin'
Massive Attack - What Your Soul Sings
Metallica - Frantic
Mya featuring Missy Elliot - My Love Is Like... Woo
Nas - Get Down
Outkast - Ghetto Music
Lisa Scott-Lee - Too Far Gone
Luther Vandross featuring Busta Rhymes - Lovely Day
September 15
Alien ant Farm - These Days
ATB - I Don't Wanna Stop
DJ Bobo - Chihuahua
Evanescence - Going Under
Foo Fighters - Have It All
Fountains Of Wayne - Stacey's Mom
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
Jamelia - Superstar
Louise - TBA
Maroon 5 - Harder To Breathe
Nickelback - Someday
Spookers - Faster Than You Know
Sting - Send Your Love
Texas - Carnival Girl
Finley Quaye featuring Beth Orton - Dice
Rachel Stevens - Sweet Dreams
Westlife - TBA
September 22
Atomic Kitten - If You Come To Me
B2K - Ah-Ha
Blondie - Good Boys
Melanie C - Yeh Yeh Yeh
Emma - Maybe
Nodesha - Get It While It's Hot
Elvis Presley - Rubberneckin'
Soil - Pride
Amy Studt - Under The Thumb
The Thorns - Runaway Feeling
Ian Van Dahl - I Can't Let You Go
September 29
50 Cent - P.I.M.P.
Beyonce featuring Sean Paul - Baby Boy
The Coral - Bill McCai
Mis-Teeq - Strawberrez / Do Me Like That
S Club 8 - Sundown
October 6
Javine - Don't Walk Away
Santana featuring Alex Band - Why Don't You?
Will Young - TBA
October 13
Craig David - World Filled With Love
REM - Bad Day
