Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Outkast - Hey Ya 'Hey Ya' is the first single to be released from Andre 3000's story of 'The Love Below'. It is a 1960's inspired song, with a funky, contemporary feel that will have you shaking your butt 'like Polaroid picture'.
The track is accompanied by an amazing video directed by Bryan Barber (B.O.B and Miss Jackson) to illustrate the release. One listen to this track will give you an understanding of why people are calling this an instant classic!!
HOT SHOT RECORD
Britney Spears ft. Madonna - Me Against The Music The hottest female artist on the planet releases her long awaited new single 'Me Against the Music'. The single is taken from her forthcoming fourth album 'In The Zone' and features one of Britney's biggest idols and all round mega-star Madonna. 'Me Against The Music' is blistering slice of pop perfection. Tribal dance beats and Spanish guitar give the track a sexy latin vibe, with an addictive chorus and edgy production courtesy of Red Zone.
Abs - 7 Ways '7 Ways' is the fourth cut from the hit album 'Abstract Theory' and follows the three top ten singles 'What You Got', 'Stop Sign' and 'Miss Perfect'. Having quickly established himself as a solo artist to be reckoned with, this song is the perfect platform to enhance that reputation. '7 Ways' was co-written by Abs and Brian Higgins (Sugababes) and is another sure fire hit. Guest vocals come courtesy of rising British star Eve - her first foray into the single market, but surely not her last!
Basement Jaxx ft. Dizzee Rascal - Lucky Star 'Lucky Star' is the first single to be taken from the Jaxx 'Kish Kash' album which features Mercury Prize winner Dizzee Rascal in a tagteam assault leaping straight from the underground and into the mainstream. Dillinja takes the theme and turns it into a dirty jungle tune while the Houz Dub delivers a wave of distorted bass.
Busted - Crashed The Wedding 'Crashed The Wedding' is the new single from Busted, the second biggest selling British band this year. This is the first single to be taken from their forthcoming album 'A Present For Everyone', which was mainly written while the boys were on tour this year. 'Crashed The Wedding' formats include the Foundations hit from 1969 'Build Me Up Buttercup', a cover of The Jam's 'That's Entertainment' as performed at Party In The Park and a Busted version of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
Melanie C - Yeh Yeh Yeh / Melt Mel C turns back into rock chic with 'Yeh, Yeh, Yeh'. Arguably the best song of the album 'Reason', this upbeat and uplifting tune seems to have banished Mel C from the depths of depression and, instead, has transformed her into a ray of bright sunshine. A little reminiscent of her previous debut single 'Going Down' but neither the less as catchy with her mature sounds and crowd pleasing fists in the air chorus.
Cooper Temple Clause - Blind Pilots The Cooper Temple Clause return with the release of their second single 'Blind Pilots'. After securing an amazing Top 5 album with 'Kick Up The Fire' and 'Let The Flames Break Loose' (which was preceded by the bands first Top 20 single 'Promises Promises'), 'Blind Pilots' is without doubt the bands most commercial sounding single to date.
The Hazzards - Gay Boyfriend 'Gay Boyfriend' is the debut single from an unknown band - The Hazzards. This is one song that you either love it or hate it, its quite a catchy little number but it can be so irritating on the ears. The band name was derived from the 80s TV series 'The Dukes of Hazzards', with Bo & Luke Duke and the famous General Lee car. (Hands up! Did you ever watch the TV series, I did.)
Javine - Surrender (Your Love) Sampling Diana Ross's all time hit 'Surrender' Javine does a heck of a job revamping the classic. Another soulful groove with an unmistakable air of cool, this picks up where the last single 'Real Things' left off. It is the second single to be taken off Javine's forthcoming album also entitled 'Surrender' and is destined in becoming a sure fire hit!
Ludacris - Stand Up Ludacris, is a lyrical master - few can match his verbal dexterity and his cartoon style image and humour has built him a strong and growing fanbase in the UK. His third album 'Chicken N Beer' is an extremely accomplished piece of work and 'Stand Up' is the commanding first single with its outrageous video shot by Dave Meyers (long time Missy collaborator). 'Stand Up' will be the hit the crosses Ludacris from specialist darling to commercial success. Already a favourite on the hip-hop vinyl scene, it is expect to grow to a massive anthem from the street upwards.
Ronan Keating - Lost For Words 'Lost For Words' is the new single by Ronan Keating. It's the first release to be taken from his forthcoming album 'Turn It On' which will be Ronan's third studio album. 'Lost For Words' is an incredibly infectious mid-tempo pop/rock track and is not what people might expect from Ronan. It's a natural progression from the work on his last album 'Destination' and takes Ronan to the next level. Ronan's vocals really impress and are likely to surprise critics. It is a melody-driven, guitar-based track that slowly builds throughout with an instantly memorable chorus.
Missy Elliott - Pass That Dutch Missy Elliott is back to work it with 'Pass That Dutch' (not the Musical Youth version!), which is a massive tune that samples (yet again) a manic Diwali sound with the fiercest bass you have ever heard, which has been the driving force of this year's music scene, along with the likes of Sean Paul and Wayne Wonder. It carries the sheer force and confidence of a woman at the top of her league.
Primal Scream ft. Kate Moss - Some Velvet Morning Primal Scream are back with a superb rendition of Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood's classic track 'Some Velvet Morning' with added vocals from supermodel Kate Moss to create a silky duet over an electronic tapestry. The song was originally featured on the album 'Evil Heat' but is now a prime example of the latest greatest hits album 'Dirty Hits'. The band continues to remain as an intriguing and challenging force in the industry.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Fortune Faded One of the finest American rock outfits Red Hot Chili Peppers return with a brand new single. 'Fortune Faded' is the first new material since the release of the hugely successful album 'By The Way', and is the first single to be lifted from the forthcoming release the 'Greatest Hits' album that encompasses their twenty-year career.
Stereophonics - Since I Told You It's Over Presumably the title of this track doesn't refer to the sacking of drummer Stuart Cable who appears on the sleeve! 'Since I Told You It's Over', taken from the No.1 album 'You Gotta Go There To Come Back', follows the successes of 'Madame Helga' and 'Maybe Tomorrow', and is another melancholy mid-tempo tune featuring frontman Kelly Jones's distinctive raspy vocals.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Ambershades - 8th Day
The Backlash - Magnificent 7
The Blueskins - Magic Road EP
Boysterous - Up & Down
Dashboard Confessional - Hands Down
Izzi Dunn - The Big Picture
Elephant Man - Pon De River
Fun Lovin' Criminals - Lost It All
Lamb - Wonder
Linus Loves feat. Sam Obernik - Stand Back
Adam Masterson - Same Sad Story
Katie Melua - The Closest Thing To Crazy / Call Off The Search
Mood Elevator - Long Hard Look EP
Marti Pellow - A Lot Of Love
Liz Phair - Why Can't I?
Plastic Boy feat. Rozalla - Live Another Life
Powderfinger - Baby I've Got You on My Mind
Finley Quaye feat. Beth Orton - Dice
Razorlight - Rip It Up
Reuben - Stuck In My Throat
Nitin Sawhney - Rainfall
Seal - Love's Divine
Solitaire - I Like Love
Twilight Singers - Teenage Wristband
Way Out West - Muthafunka
James Yorkston - Someplace Simple EP
Single Release Schedule
November 17
Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead Or Alive 2003
Breed - La Ultima Hora
Broken Social Scene - Cause=Time
Chemical Brothers - Get Yourself High
Chikinki - Assassinator 13
Phil Collins - Look Through My Eyes
Evan Dando - It Looks Like You
Flip & Fill - Irish Blue
Girls Aloud - Jump (For My Love)
Enrique Iglesias - Addicted
John The White Boy Rapper - Put Your Hands Up
Klonhertz - Three Girl Rhumba
Lemar - 50/50
Limp Bizkit - Behind Blue Eyes
Linkin Park - From The Inside
Linus Loves featuring Sam Obernik - Stand Back
Ludacris - Stand Up
Lumidee - Crashin' A Party
John Mayer - Bigger Than My Body
Meat Loaf - Man Of Steel
Mis-Teeq - Style
Alanis Morrisette - Eight Easy Steps
Nelly - Iz U
Alex Parks - Maybe That's What It Takes
Pet Shop Boys - Miracles
Liz Phair - Why Can't I
Radiohead - 2+2=5
The Rapture - Sister Saviour
Busta Rhymes & Pharrell - Light Your Ass On Fire
Room 5 featuring Oliver Cheatham - Music And You
Shania Twain - When You Kiss Me/Up
Solex - Close To The Edge
CJ Stone - Don't Look Back
The Original - I Luv U Baby
Westlife - Mandy
The White Stripes - The Hardest Button To Button
November 24
Mary J Blige featuring Eve - Not Today
Blink 182 - Feeling This
Kelly Clarkson - Low/The Trouble With Love Is
The Coral - Bill McCai
D-Side - Real World
Dizzee Rascal - Jus A Rascal
Jennifer Ellison - Bye Bye Boy
Delta Goodrem - Not Me, Not I
Iron Maiden - Rain Maker
Michael Jackson - One More Chance
King Adora - Drag
Kira - Two Hearts
Cass McCombs - Not The Way
Million Dead - I Am The Party
Moloko - Cannot Contain This
No Doubt - It's My Life
Offspring - Hit That
P.O.D. - Will You
Radical Noiz featuring Adeva - In And Out
Ja Rule - Clap Back/The Reign
Seachange - Glitterball
Shane Ritchie - I'm Your Man
Starsailor - Born Again
Studio B featuring Romeo - I See Girls
The Thrills - Don't Steal Our Sun
Tramp Attack - Oh When The Sun Goes Down
Despina Vandi - Gia
Will Young - Leave Right Now
Zutons - Pressure Point
December 1
The Black Eyed Peas - Shut Up
Blu Cantrell featuring Ian Lewis - Make Me Wanna Scream
Dido - Life For Rent
Evanescence - My Immortal
Gareth Gates - Say It Isn't So
Gary Jules - Mad World
Alistair Griffin - Bring It On
Alicia Keys - U Don't Know My Name
The Lost Brothers - Cry Little Sister (I Need U Now)
Madonna - Nothing Fails/Love Profusion
Lisa Maffia - Women Of The World
Summer Matthews - Little Miss Perfect
Muse - Hysteria
Puddle Of Mudd - Away From Me
December 8
Christina Aguilera - The Voice Within
Big Brovaz - It Ain't What You Do
Blue featuring Stevie Wonder & Angie Stone - Signed, Sealed, Delivered
David Bowie - Never Get Old
The Cheeky Girls - Have A Cheeky Christmas
Finger Eleven - Good Times
Nelly Furtado - Powerless (Say What You Want)
Good Charlotte - Hold On/The Young And The Hopeless
KoRn - Right Now
Love Inc - Into The Night
Ozzy & Kelly Osbourne - Changes
Cliff Richard - Santa's List
Simply Red - You Make Me Feel Brand New
Rachel Stevens - Funky Dory
Sting - Whenever I Say Your Name
Texas - I'll See It Through
Justin Timberlake - I'm Lovin' It
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
December 15
Atomic Kitten - Ladies Night
The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)/Friday Night
Craig David - You Don't Miss Your Water
Different Darkness - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Darkness
Four Poofs And A Piano - Camp Up Your Christmas
Robin Gibb featuring Alistair Griffin - Lover's Prayer
Wyclef Jean & Missy Elliot - Party To Damascus
Billy Mack - Christmas Is All Around
Avid Merrion - Little Drummer Boy/Proper Crim-bo!
Pop Idol Finalists - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
Amy Studt - All I Wanna Do
Sugababes - Too Lost In You
Travis - Beautiful Occupation
December 29
Victoria Beckham - Let Your Head Go / This Groove
Sophie Ellis Bextor - I Won't Change You
S Club 8 - Tears On My Pillow/Don't Tell Me You're Sorry
These are some of the new releases that are filtering through for the early part of 2004
January 5
Kelis - Milkshake
Mya - Fallen
Snow Patrol - Run
Jay-Z & Pharell Williams - Change Clothes And Go
January 12
Beyonc� - Naughty Girl
Fatman Scoop - It Takes Two
Jamelia - Thank You
Sean Paul featuring Sasha - I'm Still In Love With You
January 19
JC Chasez featuring ODB - Some Girls
Clea - Stuck In The Middle
Emma - I'll Be There
