Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Richard X ft. Kelis - Finest Dreams The tight electro hip-hop beats of Richard X meet Mrs 'I hate you so much' Kelis to brilliant effect on Finest Dreams. The beat would not be out of place on Madonna's American Life, and the vocals laid down by Kelis are Janet Jackson-like. Essentially a love song with both angst and compassion, Finest Dreams progresses from the loved up to the bitter. This tune is perfect for cruising in the summer sun. Despite a looped beat and lack of distinct bassline the track carries through the full three minutes without being at all monotonous, and the b-side shows Finest Dreams has massive remix potential.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Busted - Sleeping with the light on Busted return this week with more of the same catchy, sing-a-long guitar-heavy pop. The latest single from the chart-topping London-based trio is a more melancholy tune than any of Busted previous three singles, which reached Nos, 3, 2, and 1 respectively. Acoustic guitars replace the usual Busted raawk sound on 'Sleeping With The Light On' which is taken from Busted's debut album and should be another top 5 hit for Charlie, Matt and James.
Bluetones - Never Going Nowhere Their busiest year since the end of the 20th Century, the evergreen Bluetones return this week with 'Never Going Nowhere', the latest single from their brilliant 'Luxembourg' album. A typically hooky slice of sparkling Bluetones indie-pop, the catchy original is also joined, across three separate formats, by three, count 'em, THREE exclusive new tracks. A must for the fans, this is also a perfect starter for those that haven't discovered The Bluetones' enduring, and completely distinctive pop sound.
Jaimeson - Complete You may remember garage DJ Jaimeson aka Jamie Williams who, with Angel Blue, hit the No.4 spot back in January with 'True'. 'Complete' is another garagey, drum 'n' bassy number, full of laid back melodies and an infectious double-time chorus, featuring the sweet soul vocals of Xara, keep your ears peeled for Jaimeson's debut album set for release later this year.
P. Diddy - Let's Get Ill Having been bitten by the dance bug during a well-publicised season in Ibiza last summer, P Diddy's debut house record finally gets a full release this week. A collaboration between the hip-hop don and UK producer Nellee Hooper, 'Let's Get Ill' is a pile-driving slab of dark, chunky house (all warped basslines, tough beats and Diddy's shouty vocals) that's already caused a bit of a storm this summer.
R. Kelly ft. Big Tigger - Snake Having monopolised the higher echelons of the UK charts with last single 'Ignition', R Kelly returns this week with something a little different in the shape of his latest, 'Snake'. Built around a similar rhythm to that used by Sean Paul and Wayne Marshall and a slightly darker, more hypnotic vibe (with quest spots from Big Tigger and Cam'ron); this is another urban anthem in waiting that should also see Kelly catapulted back to the top of the UK's singles chart.
Kings of Leon - Molly's Chambers More than fulfilling all the early hype and promise, Kings Of Leon return this week with the latest stroke of 70's tinted rock brilliance from their superb debut album, 'Youth And Young Manhood'. Another rollicking mix of Deep South country rhythms and good ol' fashioned rawwwk, 'Molly's Chambers' was always an album highlight (not-to-mention the standout from the now deleted 'Holy Roller Novocaine EP') and here it's released with a whole slew of brilliant live tracks. Excellent!
Korn - Did My Time Lifted from the soundtrack for the forthcoming Lara Croft outing, 'Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life', 'Did My Time' sees heavy metallers Korn returning in very fine fettle indeed. As powerful, raw and uncompromising as ever, this single builds on the band's brilliant comeback album, 'Untouchables', and pushes the envelope even further away from the nu-metal template that they're often credited with creating. It also includes another new track and a cover of Metallica's classic 'One'.
Stephanie Kirkham - Inappropriate Pitching herself somewhere between Norah Jones and Lene Marlin with an English twist, Stephanie Kirkham is aiming to explode onto the bubble gum girl pop scene with this her first single. Like most sticks of gum pop, this airy, doopy-doo number bursts with flavour at first but then is all over very quickly. It spits jangly acoustic guitars and gnaws over wistful words of unrequited love to take us up to about four minutes of unremarkable chewing.
QFX - Freedom Originally released way back in 1995, QFX's trance staple enjoys a bit of a renaissance this week on the currently on-fire Data Recordings label. Still regarded as a bit of a classic, 'Freedom' is remixed in fine style and given a new leash of life for 2003 with superb work from Voodoo & Serano, Gemini (going head-to-head with QFX), Trevor Reilly and newcomers Head Horny. This excellent label continues to deliver the dancefloor goods - essential!
Stacie Orrico - Stuck Stacie Orrico, the hopeful next "new babe" on the block, attempts a home run with this plastic pop R&B single and indeed, the tune is slightly catchy, her voice adequate and the production as smooth as big record company money can buy. However, the sentiment, tune and voice could all be Britney, or Jennifer, or any number of American pop princesses. The one line that does resonate is a Lopez rip off. Orrico does however co-write her own material and this is certainly a feather in her cap. Moreover, she's only sixteen.
David Sneddon - Best Of Order This cheeky Scottish chappie, seems he wants to make his mark into the world of the music industry returns with a rocky blast of a tune 'Best Of Order'. The third single from his self-penned Top 5 selling debut album, 'Best Of Order' also happens to be one of David Sneddon's best. Upping the tempo slightly and heading away from ballad territory, it's a snappy slice of contemporary pop, with a killer chorus, that not only highlights what a genuine talent the Fame Academy winner actually is, but shows that he's all set to be around for a long time to come yet.
Soda Club ft. Andrea Anatola - Keep Love Together Having hit the Top 20 with their last two singles, 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth' and 'Take My Breath Away', Soda Club return this week (with vocalist Andrea Anatola) on another stonking slice of pop-trance that's already setting the more commercial dancefloors alight. Uplifting, sing-a-long pop-dance, 'Keep Love Together' is ideal for summer dancefloors, and, thanks to a whole host of brilliant remixes, looks like it could also crossover to all kinds of trance and hard dance fans.
Tantalize - Definition Having teased our taste buds with their infectious debut single 'Body Rockin'' all-girl trio Tantalize return this week with more of the same catchy sophisto-pop in the shape of 'Definition'. A sassy second single from the all-singing, all-dancing trio, it successfully throws r'n'b into its catchy pop mix and in the process should hopefully thrust this talented three-piece even further onto the UK's musical radar.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Adema - Unstable
Capes - Regional Heats
Clarkesville - Secret File
Dejure - Sanctuary
Go - American Pig
Leslie Loh - Boom Bang Bang
John Mayer - No Such Thing
McKay - Take Me Over
Million Dead - Breaking The Back
Nio - Do You Think You're Special
Pretty Girls Make Graves - This Is Our Emergency
Psychid - Digging For Victory
LeAnn Rimes - We Can
Seven - There It Is
South - Loosen Your Hold
Stylophonic - Way Of Life
Transcargo - Oh Boy EP
Winnebago Deal - Manhunt
Single Release Schedule
August 18
The Agenda - I Want The Panic
Audio Bullys - Way Too Long
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Stop
Clams - Cut Me Loose
Billy Crawford - Trackin'
D.Kay & Epsilon featuring Stamina MC - Barcelona
Deftones - Bloody Cape
Dizzee Rascal - Fix Up, Look Sharp
Dave Gahan - I Need You
Girls Aloud - Life Got Cold
Good Charlotte - The Anthem
Grafiti - What Is The Problem
Macy Gray - She Ain't Right For You
Jewel - Intuition
Mark Joseph - Fly
Lemar - Dance (With U)
The Libertines - Don't Look Back Into The Sun
Nightlife - Shining Star
Queens Of The Stone Age - First It Giveth
Radiohead - Go To Sleep
Raveonettes - The Great Love Sound
Razorlight - Rock 'N' Roll Lies
Sash! featuring TJ Davis - I Believe
Stain'd - So Far Away
Themroc - Into The Light
Wannadies - Disko
August 25
4 Strings - Let It Rain
Abs featuring Nodesha - Miss Perfect
Amen UK - Passion 2003
The Barn Dance Boys - Yippie-I-Oh
Melanie Blatt - Do Me Wrong
Bowling For Soup - Punk Rock 101
Tim Burgess - I Believe In The Spirit
Kelly Clarkson - Miss Independent
The Datsuns - MF From Hell
Celine Dion - One Heart
DM & Jemini - Ghetto Pop Life
DJ Bobo - Chihuahua
The Free Association - Sugarman
Fun Lovin' Criminals - Too Hot
Gay Dad - Joy
Grandaddy - Caminos In The West
Groove Armada - But I Feel Good
In-Grid - Tu Es Foutu
Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl?
Elton John - Are You Ready For Love
Junior Jack - E Samba
Lee Cabrera & Alex Cartana - Shake It (Move A Little Closer)
LFO - Freak
Love Inc - Here Comes The Sunshine
Annie Lennox - 1000 Beautiful Things
P-Nut - Hey Hey Hey
Sean Paul - Like Glue
Rancid - Full Backdown
Snap! vs Motivo - The Power Of Bhangra 2003
Speedway - Genie In A Bottle
Svenson & Gielen featuring Jan Johnston - Beachbreeze
Thrills - Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far)
Third Light - Movin' On
Tiga - Hot In Herre
Shania Twain - Thank You Baby! (For Makin' Someday Come So Soon)
Unkle - Eye For An Eye
Wheatus - American In Amsterdam
September 1
A - Good Time
Audioslave - I Am The Highway
Erykah Badu - Danger
Barbara Baldieri - Todo Lo Que Quiero (All I Want Is You)
Big Brovaz - Baby Boy
Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love
Cooper Temple Clause - Promises Promises
Dallas Superstars - Helium
David Bowie - New Killer Star
Dido - White Flag
Fannypack - Cameltoe
Freeland - We Want Your Soul
Harry - So Real
Iron Maiden - Wildest Dreams
Norah Jones - Don't Know Why
Lacquer - Behind
Lamya - Black Mona Lisa
Michelle Lawson - I Just Wanna Say
Lemonescent - Unconditional Love
Linkin Park - Numb
Marilyn Manson - This Is The New Shit
Moloko - Blow X Blow
Monica - So Gone
Akayzia Parker - Tuesday's Girl
Seal - Get It Together
Simple Kid - The Average Man
Sonique - Alive
Space Cowboy - Crazy Talk/Just Put Your Hand In Mine
Starsailor - Silence Is Easy
Sugardaddy - Sweet Soca Music
Trept - Headroom
The Underdog Project vs Sunclub - Summer Jam
Violent Delight - Transmission
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
Ataris - The Boys Of Summer
The Bandits - Two Step Rock
Cosmic Rough Riders - Justify The Rain
Culture Beat - Mr. Vain Recall
Dare - Chihuahua
Drunkenmunkey - E
Dutch featuring Crystal Waters - This Is My Time
Eagle-Eye Cherry - Don't Give Up/Skull Tattoo
Gareth Gates - Sunshine
Har Mar Superstar - Brothers And Sisters
HIM - Sacriment
Kontakt - Show Me A Sign
Lene - It's Your Duty (To Shake That Booty)
Lowgold - We Don't Have Much Time
Massive Attack - What Your Soul Sings
Metallica - Frantic
Million Dan - Dogz And Sledgez
Muse - Time Is Running Out
Mya - My Love Is Like... Wo!
Nas - Get Down
Nelly, P Diddy & Murphy Lee - Shake Ya Tailfeather
Placebo - Special Needs
Polaroid - So Damn Beautiful
Rishi Rich Project - Dance With You (Nachna Tere Naal)
Lisa Scott-Lee - Too Far Gone
System & Kerri B - If You Leave Me Now
Martina Topley-Bird - Anything
Luther Vandross featuring Busta Rhymes - Lovely Day
September 15
Alien Ant Farm - These Days
Chemical Brothers featuring Flaming Lips - Golden Path
Clea - Download It
Tim Deluxe - Less Talk, More Action
Siobhan Donaghy - Hate
Evanescence - Going Under
Foo Fighters - Have It All
Fountains Of Wayne - Stacey's Mom
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
Jamelia - Superstar
Lab 4 - Candyman
Louise - Pandora's Kiss
Mankato - Pictures Of The Other Side
Lene Marlin - You Weren't There
Maroon 5 - Harder To Breathe
Nickelback - Someday
Lisa Marie Presley - Sinking In
Spooks - Faster Than You Know
Rachel Stevens - Sweet Dreams
Sting - Send Your Love
Texas - Carnival Girl
Justin Timberlake - Senorita
Finley Quaye featuring Beth Orton - Dice
Turin Brakes - 5 Mile (These Are The Days)
Westlife - Hey Whatever
September 22
Atomic Kitten - If You Come To Me
B2K - Uh-Huh
Blondie - Good Boys
Deftones - Hectogram
Feeder - Find The Colour
Longview - Can't Explain
Maroon 5 - Harder To Breathe
Melanie C - Yeh Yeh Yeh
Nodesha - Get It While It's Hot
Outkast - Ghetto Music
Elvis Presley - Rubberneckin'
Soil - Pride
Britney Spears - TBA
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
Europa XL introducing Natalie James - Rooms On Fire
Alicia Keys - TBA
Kosheen - Wasting My Time
S Club 8 - Sundown
Travis - Re-Offender
Ian Van Dahl - I Can't Let You Go
Maria Willson - Alibi
October 6
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - TBA
Emma - Maybe
Erasure - Oh L'Amour
Javine - Don't Walk Away
Outlandish - Aicha
Stacie Orrico - (There's Gotta Be) More To Life
Santana featuring Alex Band - Why Don't You And I
October 13
Craig David - World Filled With Love
Liberty X - Jumpin'
Pharrell featuring Busta Rhymes - Light Your Ass On Fire
REM - Bad Day
Soil - Pride
October 20
Melanie Blatt - Blue
October 27
Pink - God Is A DJ
Victoria Beckham - TBA
