Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Kelly Rowland - Train On A Track A bit of a departure for this R&B princess, 'Train on a Track' is an the real, laid-back guitar-driven song which provides a refreshing change from what you would expect from the Destinys Child star-gone-solo. Taken from Kelly's successful debut solo album 'Simply Deep', 'Train on a Track' is mellow and pretty and has a lightness that makes it perfect laid-back summer listening. Another classy mix of pop and r'n'b, its insistent groove and uplifting vocals should stand it in good stead on the finer urban dancefloors.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Ultrabeat - Pretty Green Eyes Originally written by Force & Styles (and Junior), 'Pretty Green Eyes' has actually been huge on the hardcore scene for the last few years now. Now given a full release by Ultrabeat, with new vocals from Mike Di Scala (one of the three Liverpool deejays that make up Ultrabeat, the other two being Chris Henry and Ian Redman), it's starting to look like 'Pretty Green Eyes' is now set for chart domination as well. An uplifting mix of pop and trance.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Stop With their forthcoming second album one of the most eagerly anticipated of 2003 (it's already been described as '...a masterpiece' by the N.M.E), first single 'Stop' shows that the long wait certainly won't have been in vain. A pummelling powerhouse of distorted riffs and pile driving drums - all helped along by a huge fist-waving chorus - it's one of BRMC's best and bodes well for what's already promising to be an awesome new album.
The Cheeky Girls - Hooray Hooray (It's A Cheeky Holiday) These twins they just do not want to go away, well they are back with a cover version of an old Boney M single without the word cheeky in the title. Can some one start a petition to get rid of these twins; I think they have passed their sell-by-date already. It's just too annoying for words! Conclusion: don't buy it!
Futureshock - Prides Paranoia Widely regarded as the standout cut from Futureshock's debut album, the mighty 'Pride's Paranoia' gets the release it deserves this week alongside an awesome new mix from Ewan Pearson. The original's spoken word vocal and electro-tinged backing still sounds as effective as it always did, whilst Ewan Pearson takes the original and runs away with it delivering a storming techy house take that'll crossover all kinds of dance genres this summer. Excellent!
Grafiti - What Is The Problem Every now and again there are those acts that come along with a quality and sound that totally defies categorisation; Mike 'The Streets' Skinner has it (who's also been linked to this single), Dizzee Rascal has it, and, amongst many others, the Audio Bullys have it as well. Well, another addition to that list should be Grafiti's debut, 'What's The Problem'. Sounding like a weird and wonderful mix of all of the above, with a healthy dose of pop thrown in for good measure, it'sa storming debut single, and one that's all set to become a bit of an anthem throughout this summer.
Thea Gilmore - Juliet The first single from her forthcoming 'Avalanche' album; 'Juliet' finds this incredibly talented UK singer-songwriter in all conquering form. Draped, as ever, in Gilmore's trademark acerbic lyricism, this snap shot of modern life - veiled in her instantly recognisable 'iron fist in a velvet glove' vocal style. A stunning introduction to a unique talent!
Jason Nevins presents U.K.N.Y. ft. Holly James - I'm In Heaven This uses a sample from an old Michael Jackson hit 'Human Nature'. It's a nice little summery piece of trance that's extremely catchy, and you'll soon find yourself singing along with it. Nothing ground-breaking, but nevertheless, it's a great song that will find fans from both the pop world and the club scene. This deliciously uplifting 'I'm In Heaven', featuring a vocal from ex-Tymes4 singer Holly James, around an uplifting, pop-tinted groove with a summer anthem written all over it.
Mark Owen - Four Minute Warning After spending several years wallowing in post-Take That and post-solo career obscurity, Mark Owen threw himself back into the spotlight when he entered last year's Celebrity Big Brother - and won. The cute, scruffy-haired one's evident popularity led to him signing a new record deal, and 'Four Minute Warning' is the first release. Upbeat and catchy, 'Four Minute Warning' is summery and fun with the slightly 'indie' sound we've come to expect from l'il Mark.
Supergrass - Rush Hour Soul Already a live favourite with the band's fans, 'Rush Hour Soul' gets a full UK release this week with brilliant new track, 'Everytime'. A typically feisty slab of catchy upbeat rock, 'Rush Hour Soul' was always an album highlight, whilst bonus track 'Everytime' is Supergrass at their classiest. A must for the fans!
Pharrell Williams ft. Jay-Z - Frontin' It's a bit of a cliche really, but The Neptunes don't need any introduction whatsoever! From Nelly's 'Hot In Herre' to Britney Spears' 'I'm A Slave 4 U' to Clipse's 'Grindin'' to Busta Rhymes' 'Pass the Courvoisier' to...well, the point is, that production wizzs Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo have been making the soundtrack to your days, nights and everything in between for the past few years now. And that brings us nicely onto 'Frontin'', the first single from the duo's forthcoming album, 'The Neptunes Present.... Clones'. Featuring a guest rap from Jay-Z, this is a silky slice of laidback funk that's just made for long summer days.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Frank Black - Everything Is New
Captain Soul - Show Me A Way
Client - Rock & Roll Machine
Dejure - Sanctuary
Dogs Die In Hot Cars - I Love You 'Cause I Have To
Echoboy - Lately Lonely
Elbow - Fallen Angel
Fabolous feat. Mike Shorey & Lil' Mo - Can't Let You Go
The Fades - Life Support
Layo & Bushwacka! - It's Up To You (Shining Through)
John Mayer - No Such Thing
Motor Ace - Carry On
Keith Murray feat. Redman - Yeah Yeah U Know It
Pleasure - Don't Look The Other Way
Damien Rice - Volcano
The Roots - Break You Off
Serafin - Day By Day
Sirens - Things Are Getting Better
Stands - She Speaks Of These Things
Voodoo & Serano - Overload
Single Release Schedule
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
Nio - Do You Think You're Special
Nova - All This Love
Stacie Orrico - Stuck
Petrice - Till I Kissed You
LeAnn Rimes - We Can
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
Tantalize - Definition
Venus Hum - Soul Sloshing
Violent Delight - Transmission
Wheatus - An American in Amsterdam
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
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
Jewel - Intuition
Lemar - Dance (With U)
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
The Raveonettes - The Great Love Sound
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
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
DJ Bobo - Chihuahua
Drunkenmunkey - E
Gay Dad - Joy
Groove Armada - But I Feel Good
In-Grid - Tu Es Foutu
Junior Jack - E Samba
Lee-Cabrera featuring Alex Cartana - Shake It (Move A Little Faster)
Love Inc - Here Comes The Sunshine
Annie Lennox - 1000 Beautiful Things
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
Black Eyed Peas featuring Justin Timberlake - Where Is The Love?
Cooper Temple Clause - Promises Promises
Dare - Chihuahua
Tim Deluxe - Less Talk, More Action
Dido - White Flag
Harry - So Real
Elton John - Are You Ready For Love?
Norah Jones - I Don't Know Why
Lacquer - Behind
Lamya - Black Mona Lisa
Lemonescent - Unconditional Love
Linkin Park - Numb
Marilyn Manson - This Is The New Shit
Moloko - Blow X Blow
Monica - So Gone
Seal - Get It Together
Sonique - Alive
Space Cowboy - Crazy Talk/Just Put Your Hand In Mine
Starsailor - Silence Is Easy
Sugardaddy - Sweet Soca Music
The White Stripes - I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
September 8
AFI - The Leaving Song
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
HIM - Sacriment
Lene - It's Your Duty (To Shake That Booty)
Massive Attack - What Your Soul Sings
Metallica - Frantic
Mya featuring Missy Elliot - My Love Is Like... Wo!
Nas - Get Down
Lisa Scott-Lee - Too Far Gone
Travis - Re-Offender
Luther Vandross featuring Busta Rhymes - Lovely Day
September 15
Alien Ant Farm - These Days
ATB - I Don't Wanna Stop
Evanescence - Going Under
Foo Fighters - Have It All
Fountains Of Wayne - Stacey's Mom
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
Ainslie Henderson - Pretty Girls And Boys
Jamelia - Superstar
Louise - Pandora's Kisses / Don't Give Up
Mankato - Pictures Of The Other
Maroon 5 - Harder To Breathe
Nickelback - Someday
Lisa Marie Presley - Sinking In
Spooks - Faster Than You Know
Sting - Send Your Love
Texas - Carnival Girl
Justin Timberlake - Senorita
Finley Quaye featuring Beth Orton - Dice
Rachel Stevens - Sweet Dreams
Westlife - Hey Whatever
September 22
Atomic Kitten - If You Come To Me
B2K - Uh-Huh
Blondie - Good Boys
Melanie C - Yeh Yeh Yeh
Nodesha - Get It While It's Hot
Outkast - Ghetto Music
Elvis Presley - Rubberneckin'
Soil - Pride
Amy Studt - Under The Thumb
The Thorns - Runaway Feeling
September 29
50 Cent - P.I.M.P.
Beyonce featuring Sean Paul - Baby Boy
The Coral - Secret Kiss
Kosheen - Wasting My Time
Mis-Teeq - Crossroads
S Club 8 - Sundown
Ian Van Dahl - I Can't Let You Go
October 6
Emma - Maybe
Javine - Don't Walk Away
Liberty X - Jumpin'
Santana featuring Alex Band - Why Don't You?
October 13
Craig David - World Filled With Love
REM - Bad Day
