Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey:
[email protected])
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Daniel Bedingfield - I can't read you Currently wooing audiences around the UK on a nation-wide tour, Daniel Bedingfield returns this week (after the huge success of former number one 'If You're Not The One') with something a little bit more upbeat. Continuing to display Bedingfield's diversity, 'I Can' Read You' is an up-tempo slab of pure pop bliss with a brilliant chorus that'll shoehorn its way into your head.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Kym Marsh - Cry Having pretty much steered clear of the limelight since her acrimonious split from Hear'say, Kym Marsh returns to the nation's pop radar this week with her long-awaited debut single, 'Cry'. Moving away from the pure pop stratosphere that her previous band inhabited to a more 'grown-up', rock-tinted, sound. This is a very promising debut single from a talented young singer that COULD silence quite a few of those critics just waiting to shoot her down in flames.
ALSO RELEASED
Richard Ashcroft - Buy it in bottles Brand new from the ex-Verve frontman. Continuing the fine work displayed on his last two singles, 'Check The Meaning' and 'Science Of Silence', 'Buy It In Bottles' finds Richard Ashcroft in typically majestic rock form. Retaining all the ex-Verve man's musical hallmarks, it's not a great departure in sound and style but still serves as a perfect reminder of why Ashcroft's such a unique musical treasure.
Sarah Connor - He's unbelievable Sarah Conner may still be relatively unknown on these shores, but back in her native Germany she's already a big star. Successfully mixing catchy, uplifting pop with a sassy urban streak, her earlier singles have already got ears wagging in the UK, but her latest, 'He's Unbelievable', looks all set to earn her the wider attention she deserves. A feisty mix of pop and r'n'b (with a backing that sounds strangely similar to 2Pac's 'California Love').
Erasure - Make me smile (come up and see me) Following the massive success of their cover of Peter Gabriel's 'Solsbury Hill' (a Top 10 hit), Erasure return this week with another electro-tinted pop jaunt through another classic, this time in the shape of a new version of Steve Harley's seventies No.1 smash 'Make Me Smile (Come up and see me)'. What can you say? They've stayed true to their sound, and although this might not be for everyone, Erasure add their own inimitable stamp to the rock standard and in the process create another pitch-perfect slice of irresistible pop.
David Gray - Be mine The latest single from David Gray's 'New Day At Midnight' album, 'Be Mine' finds the awesomely talented singer/songwriter in majestic form. One of many highlights from said album, 'Be Mine' finds Gray (and his noddy head) in a typically introspective mood on a song that lets him flex his song-writing muscles to the max whilst keeping things simple and understated in his own unique musical style.
Harry - Under The Covers EP 3 cover versions on one CD, oh boy! The first cover is 'Imagination' was originally a hit for an '86 act Belouis Some. Also the song can be heard as a theme tune to the 'Rimmel' TV advert. And the second is a cover of Salt n' Pepa '88 hit 'Push It (Real Good)' and the third is a cover of Bauhaus '83 hit 'She's In Parties'. This is Harry's (aka Victory Harrison) debut single; again not bad for a debut single, good voice and she sounds like Debbie Harry. I hope it's not just a one-hit wonder for her as she could have a huge fanbase following her.
Malachi - Just say you love me Here we go again, another ex- Fame Academy act, this time its Malachi, I'm sorry I can't actually predict this song anywhere in the Top 40, as he had no promotion of the record, whatsoever. Malachi Cush strikes out on his own this week with the first single from his very well received self-titled debut album. Illustrating exactly what it was that always made him such a name to watch, 'Just Say You Love Me' also comes with a previously unreleased track, in the shape of 'Nothing Ever Happens'
Marc et Claude - Loving you '03 Still one of the labels at the forefront of the Euro-trance and house scene, Positiva return this week with the long-awaited full release of Marc Et Claude's cover of the Minnie Riperton classic. Originally only available as a very limited white label (but constantly requested, still, on trance floors), the awesome, uplifting strains of the brilliant original are now joined by Apollo and Marco V remixes. Positiva march onwards and upwards in 2003!
Queens of the Stone Age - Go with the flow The rock behemoth that is Queens Of The Stone Age trundles on with the release of one of the standout tracks from their awesome 'Songs For The Deaf' album. A rattling heavy-rock anthem with another fine Josh Homme vocal, 'Go With The Flow' sees the Queens mining darker lyrical territory, whilst musically, it finds the band at their most powerful and mesmerizing.
Run DMC ft. Jacknife Lee - It's tricky One of the biggest hits from Run DMC's 'Raising Hell' album (originally hitting the UK charts at number sixteen when it was released way back in 1987), 'It's Tricky' gets re-energised this week with a slamming new mix from the inimitable Jacknife Lee. Lending the classic original a slightly more partied-up breakbeat vibe (that's already doing damage on dancefloors), this new version of 'It's Tricky' is also joined by clubbier Riton mix of 'Peter Piper'.
Robin S - Luv 4 Luv After the huge success of 'Show Me Love 2002', Robin S's classic 'Luv 4 Luv' gets another run-out this year with all-new DJ Tonka mixes. The original Stonebridge mix is present-and-correct (and still sounding as good as it ever did) whilst Tonka does his usual good work on two contrasting new rubs. One opts for a peaktime feel, all killer piano lines and groovy basslines, it's definitely one for the Saturday night crowd, whilst the other chills things out with a slightly subtler, but no-less effective feel altogether.
And the following acts are also releasing, but probably won't penetrate the Top 40
Alarm - Close
Audio Bullys - The Things
B54 ft. Bejay - Save a prayer
Caesars - Jerk It Out
Client - Price Of Love
Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)
Death In Vegas ft. Paul Weller - So You Say You Lost Your Baby
Dixie Chicks - Landslide
The Faint - Agenda Suicide
Foo Fighters - Have It All
Julia Fordham - It's Another You Day
Jennifer Love-Hewitt - Can I Go Now?
Alice Martineau - The Right Time
Mellafone - Every Word I Drop EP
Joan Osborne - I'll Be Around
Akayzia Parker - Urban Lullabies
The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
Erick Sermon - Love Iz
Shy FX & T-Power ft. Kele Le Roc - Feelin' U
Slo Mo - Girl From Alaska
The Star Spangles - Stay Away From Me
The Transplants - Diamonds & Guns
Turtle K - Home
Venus Hum - Montana EP
Widescreen - Tailspin
Wayne Williams - Anything Is Possible
Forthcoming Singles
April 14 Aaliyah - Didn't know what to tell you
April 14 Robbie Williams - Come undone
April 14 Madonna - American life
April 14 Paffendorf - Crazy, Sexy, Marvellous
April 21 David Sneddon - Don't let go
April 21 Good Charlotte - Boys and girls
April 21 Pippa Fulton - Don't wanna miss a thing
April 21 Kelly Rowland - Can't nobody
April 28 Ronan Keating - The Long Goodbye
April 28 Puretone - Stuck in a groove
April 28 V-Birds - Virtuality
April 28 Tomcraft - Loneliness
May 5 The Androids - Do it with Madonna
May 5 Electric Six - Gay Bar
May 5 S Club - Love ain't gonna wait for you
May 12 The Cheeky Girls - Take your shoes off
May 12 Girls Aloud - No good advice
May 19 Emma Bunton - Free me
May 19 t.A.T.u - Not gonna get us
May 19 Justin Timberlake - Rock with you
May 19 Stereophonics - Madame Helga
