Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Christina Aguilera ft. Lil' Kim - Can't Hold Us Down 'Cant Hold us Down' is the fourth single to be released from the triple platinum album 'Stripped'. Featuring collaboration with guest vocalist Lil Kim, it is set to be the standout track on the album. In this song about women empowerment, Christina confronts the double standards that women face today. A great message with Lil Kim's accompanying rap in this upbeat track completes the song.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Dutch ft. Crystal Waters - This Is My Time Crystal Waters scored a top 5 hit with 'Gypsy Woman' back in the early 90s, and now she's back, providing vocals on this upbeat dancey tune by US production duo Dutch. The sort of track you could have a good old dance to or would be likely to hear at a class in the gym, it's been a club hit for quite a few months now, and looks set to take the charts by storm too.
Mary J. Blige ft. Method Man - Love @ 1st Sight The most talented Mary J. Blige returns with a brand new single, this lady has been in the music business for over 10 years and she still has not had a British number one single, very strange indeed! 'Love @ First Sight' is the latest offering by Mary featuring guest vocals supplied by Method Man with additional production by P Diddy. It's the first release off her new album 'Love & Life', and is set to storm the recent boom of collaboration tracks that have taken over the urban scene of late and heading to become a sure fire hit with credible remixes from Kurtis Mantronik and Rishi Rich.
Cosmic Rough Riders - Justify The Rain 'Justify The Rain' is Cosmic Rough Riders second single release from the new album 'Too Close Too See Far'. It's the follow up to the single 'Because You', Cosmic Rough Rider's third successive UK top 40 hit. 'Justify The Rain' sets the tone perfectly with Byrds-tinged jangly guitars, smiling harmonies, and effortless melodies. So no radical new direction as Fleming knows his band's strengths and plays on them.
Culture Beat - Mr. Vain Recall This song was originally released 7 August 1993, peaked at No.1, marking its original release ten years ago, Culture Beat's 'Mr Vain' resurfaces this week 2003 stylee with a whole host of firing new mixes for today's more demanding dancefloors. Re-titled 'Mr Vain Recall', it's already topped the chart in Germany, and even with a slight tweak still sounds as fresh as it did when it first appeared all those years ago. Whilst the new mixes from CJ Stone and Doug Laurent add a more contemporary twist that add, rather than detract from what's still a bit of a classic in many people's books.
Gareth Gates - Sunshine It's been 18 months since he won Pop Idol, Gareth returns with a brand new single 'Sunshine'. Gareth Gates - Sunshine Following his global success, Gareth's finally preparing for a release of his fifth single 'Sunshine'. Gareth could eclipse his own success as he shows his maturity vocally as well as visually. Sunshine is a feel good track, perfect for summer, combining a laid back, chilled out melody with a strong soulful beat, sure to entice dance floor groovers. The single is teamed with a sultry video shot in Brazil, which sees a more confident Gareth showering in the streets of Rio.
Kontakt - Show Me A Sign Nulife once again deliver a shimmering slice of euphoric perfection with 'Show Me A Sign', the debut release from UK dance act Kontakt which comprises of two of the UK`s hottest producers Scott Attrill and Jim Sullivan (Jim so-wrote Liberty X`s chart hit 'Thinking It Over'). Utilising the riff from epic club classic '1998' by Binary Finary, the tracks soaring melodies are complimented perfectly by the exhilarating performance of 19-year-old vocalist Nicola Poustie.
Linkin' Park - Numb The third single to be lifted from their number 1 album 'Meteora' is the superb track 'Numb'. It's a slow burner with plinking keyboards that builds with yearning vocals and a roaring chorus. Like most Linkin Park tunes, the lyrics aren't specific but touch on universal teenage feelings of frustration with authority figures. The video for 'Numb' again shows the additional talents of DJ Joseph Hahn in the director's chair.
Muse - Time Is Running Out Whilst retaining everything that Muse fans have come to love, the insanely catchy 'Time Is Running Out' marks a departure of sorts, encapsulating an increasing sense of eclecticism within the bands ranks. With there status as arena rockers secure, Muse are poised to take their career one step further with their brilliant new single, 'Time Is Running Out'. With thundering basslines at inappropriate moments before the charge of the most pulsating three minutes of operatic rock produced bythe band & Rich Costey of Rage Against The Machine fame.
Nelly, P. Diddy & Murphy Lee - Shake Ya Tallfeather 'Shake Your Tail feather' is the next single to consist major talent from the world of rap. Taken from the 'Bad Boys II' soundtrack, it witnesses a superb collaboration between two heavyweight champions of the hip hop world Nelly and P Diddy, with an additional feature that is St. Lunatic's Murphy Lee and finds all three rappers instructing the ladies to shake what they're given in full effect�no surprises there then!
Rishi Rich Project ft. Jay Sean & Juggy D - Dance With You (Nachna Tere Naal) You may not have heard of Rishi Rich but if you've ever bought a single by Mis-teeq or Craig David there's a fighting chance you'll have heard his expert production skills. Dance With You is an attempt to capture the zeitgeist generated by the likes of Truth Hurts, Missy Elliott and Panjabi MC by fusing together bhangra and hip-hop beats into a danceable yet fairly relaxed vibe. The production is as crystalline as expected, while Jay Sean's genuinely soulful English voice and Juggy D's accomplished Punjabi rap combine with synergistic results. On the downside, the chorus may not be convincing enough to carry the song forward to the chart eschelons it so obviously aspires to reside in.
Lisa Scott-Lee - Too Far Gone This sassy gal with nice pins to match returns with her follow-up single 'Too Far Gone'. After the success of her debut solo single 'Lately', Lisa decides to grace the singles market with another massive slice of disco heaven with 'Too Far Gone'. Catering for the summer feel good factor with the aid of a remix by Almighty she goes to show that she's definitely come a long way since her days in the all singing all dancing five piece and now she is making her kind of music, her way.
Seal - Get It Together After a while away from the music industry, Seal is back and perfectly willing to give back to clubland after it helped him start off his career with the one-two punch of 'Killer' and 'Crazy', however 'Get it Together,' in its original form, is a disco-influenced uptempo R&B number, showing quite a different side to Seal that is still yet to be appreciated. Taken off his fourth album 'Seal IV', the track is produced by Trevor Horn, and is an infectious future hit marked by Seal's rich vocal gift, invigorating melodies with a dash of funk.
Skin - Faithfulness The massively in-demand remixes of Skins forthcoming single 'Faithfulness' have already made their mark on the UK club charts. The mixes by Scumfrog and Kinky Boy have flown into the Cool Cuts top 10 and entered the Buzz Chart. The crisp radio mix from Adrian Bushby echoes the dynamic sound of Skin live.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
AFI - The Leaving Song
Arab Strap - The Shy Retirer
Barbara Baldieri - Todo Lo Que Quiero
The Bandits - 2 Step Rock
Buju Banton - Paid Not Played
Chunking - Let The Love In
The Clams - Cut Me Loose
Celine Dion - One Heart
Elviss - Comodose
Franz Ferdinand - Darts Of Pleasure
HIM - The Sacrement
I Am Kloot - 3 Feet Tall
The Keys - Love Your Sons And Daughters
Less Than Jake - The Science Of Selling Yourself Short
Mood II Swing - Can't Get Away From You
Spooks - Faster Than You Know
The Webb Brothers - Ms Moriarty
Single Release Schedule
September 15
Alien Ant Farm - These Days
Ateed - Come To Me
Audioslave - Show Me How To Live
Mary J Blige featuring Method Man - Love @ 1st Sight
Chemical Brothers featuring Flaming Lips - Golden Path
Chicane - Locking Down
Tim Deluxe - Less Talk, More Action
Double Dee - Shining
Drunkenmunkey - E
Electric Soft Parade - Things I've Done Before
Gloria Estefan - Wrapped
Fannypack - Camel Toe
Fountains Of Wayne - Stacey's Mom
I Monster - Who Is She?
Jamelia - Superstar
JD - Jelly In The Truck
Kinesis - One Way Mirror
Lab 4 - Candyman
Lamya - Black Mona Lisa
Limp Bizkit - Eat You Alive
Louise - Pandora's Kiss/Don't Give Up
Mankato - Pictures Of The Other Side
Lene Marlin - You Weren't There
Metallica - Frantic
Million Dan - Dogz & Sledgez
Nickelback - Someday
Peppercorn - Nice To You
Placebo - Special Needs
Iggy Pop - Little Know It All
Lisa Marie Presley - Sinking In
So Solid Crew - Broken Silence
Spooks - Faster Than You Know
Stain'd - So Far Away
Stellastar - Jenny
Rachel Stevens - Sweet Dreams My L.A. Ex
Sting - Send Your Love
Justin Timberlake - Se�orita
Tindersticks - Sweet Oblivion
The UD Project vs Sunclub - Summer Jam 2003
Westlife - Hey Whatever
September 22
Athlete - You Got The Style
The Bandits - 2 Step Rock
Butterfly Boucher - I Can't Make Me Love You
Melanie C - Yeh Yeh Yeh
Clea - Download It
Dallas Superstars - Helium
The Darkness - I Believe In A Thing Called Love
Deftones - Hectogram
Evanescence - Going Under
Siobhan Donaghy - Twist Of Fate
Feeder - Find The Colour
Foo Fighters - Have It All
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
Har Mar Superstar - Brothers And Sisters
Emma Holland - Sunshine
Junior Jack - E Samba
Kelis - Milkshake
Annie Lennox - Wonderful
Outkast - Ghetto Musick
Polaroid - So Damn Beautiful
Elvis Presley - Rubberneckin'
Solarys - Let The Sunshine In
Joe Strummer - Coma Girl
Amy Studt - Under The Thumb
Svenson & Gielen featuring Jan Johnston - Beachbreeze (Remember The Summer)
The Thorns - Runaway Feeling
Jurgen Vries - Wilderness
Warrior - X
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps
September 29
The Ataris - The Boys Of Summer
Blondie - Good Boys
David Bowie - New Killer Star (DVD)
Michelle Branch - Breathe
The Coral - Secret Kiss
Divine Inspiration - What Will Be Will Be
DJ Bobo - Chihuahua
DMX - Where The Hood At?
Europa XL introducing Natalie James - Rooms On Fire
Robin Gibb - A Lover's Prayer
Longview - Can't Explain
Lovebug - Who's The Daddy?
Milk & Sugar - Let The Sunshine In
Morjac featuring Raz Conway - Stars
Nodesha - Get It While It's Hot
Finley Quaye featuring Beth Orton - Dice
System featuring Kerri B - If You Leave Me Now
Travis - Re-Offender
Turin Brakes - 5 Mile (These Are The Days)
Paul Van Dyk - Time Of Our Lives/Connected
Terri Walker - Drawing Board
October 6
B2K - Uh Huh
The Beautiful South - Just A Few Things That I Ain't
Beyonc� featuring Sean Paul - Baby Boy
Blur - Good Song
Chingy - Right Thurr
Erasure - Oh L'Amour
Fast Food Rockers - Say Cheese (Smile Please)
Foggy - Come (Into My Dream)
Hazzards - Gay Boyfriend
Kevin Lyttle - Turn Me On
Planet Funk - Inside All The People
The Pretenders - The Losing
S Club 8 - Sundown
Santana featuring Alex Band - Why Don't You And I
Scooter - Maria (I Like It Loud)
The Strokes - 12:51
Suede - Attitude
Texas - Carnival Girl
Ian Van Dahl - I Can't Let You Go
Luther Vandross - Lovely Day/Dance With My Father
Maria Willson - Mr. Alibi
Amy Winehouse - Stronger Than Me
October 13
50 Cent featuring Snoop Dogg - P.I.M.P.
Craig David - World Filled With Love
Hilary Duff - So Yesterday
Electric Six - Dance Commander
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Mixed Up World
Emma - Maybe
David Guetta featuring Chris Willis - Just A Little More Love
Kira - Two Hearts On Fire
Kosheen - Wasting My Time
Stacie Orrico - (There's Gotta Be) More To Life
Pharrell featuring Busta Rhymes - Light Your Ass On Fire
REM - Bad Day
Soil - Pride
David Sneddon - Baby Get Higher
Sugababes - Hole In The Head
Super Furry Animals - Hello Sunshine
Tatjana - Santa Maria 2003
Thicke - When I Get You Alone
Thursday - Signals Over The Air
Twen2y 4 Se7en - Patiently Waiting
Wyclef - Industry
October 20
Abs - 7 Ways...
Ashanti - Rain On Me
Daniel Bedingfield - Friday
Blue - Guilty
Kings Of Leon - Wasted Time
Lady May featuring Blu Cantrell - Round Up
Liberty X - Jumpin'
Kym Marsh - Sentimental
Outlandish - Aicha
Underworld - Born Slippy 2003
Unkle - In A State
October 27
Atomic Kitten - If You Come To Me
Eagle Eye Cherry - Skull Tattoo
Hundred Reasons - The Great Test
R Kelly - Thoia Thong
Maroon 5 - Harder To Breathe
Mark Owen - Alone Without You
Pink - God Is A DJ
Phixx - Hold On Me
Wayne Wonder - Friend Like Me
November 3
The Cooper Temple Clause - Blind Pilot
Javine - Don't Walk Away
John Mayer - Bigger Than My Body
Kylie Minogue - Slow
Britney Spears -Me Against The Music
Robbie Williams - Sexed Up
November 10
Basement Jaxx featuring Dizzee Rascal - Lucky Star
Delta Goodrem - Not Me, Not I
Love Inc - Into The Night
Stereophonics - Since I Told You It's Over
Usher - Confessions
November 17
Mis-Teeq - Crossroads
Lisa Scott-Lee - I'll Wait For You / U Sure Do
