Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Speedway - Genie In A Bottle Already tipped by Music Week as the new Texas, Speedway launch their career with a brave but brilliantly executed version of 'Genie In A Bottle'. However, it's not the straightforward Christina Aguilera version that they get their teeth into; it's the bootleg take that included The Strokes track, with a clever rock twist to it. I hope this band is not just a one hit wonder, because they are a welcome addition to the rock scene. This record rocks, go out and buy it.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Melanie Blatt - Do Me Wrong This Ex-All Saint singer is back! It's been over two years, since her last Top 10 hit 'Twentyfourseven' which she collaborated with Artful Dodger. The ex All Saints chanteuse Mel Blatt strikes out on her own with a jarful of pop charm. Looking as stunning as ever and sounding just as good, 'Do Me Wrong' is a bright little number that sounds just great with the sun out and the whole day ahead of you.
Abs ft. Nodesha - Miss Perfect Another song from Ex-Five Abs, 'Miss Perfect' is a little disappointment this time round from his previous single 'Stop Sign', Abs might find things rather difficult, his songs are not that brilliant, but the fans might turn off after a little while. Although Abs has troubled the charts quite a few times since 5ive disbanded, the release date of his debut full-length set has kept slipping and sliding. However, with the 'Abstract Theory' album just around the corner, the pop/R'n'B vibes of 'Miss Perfect' serve as the perfect lead-in to the main event.
Bowling For Soup - Punk Rock 101 More high-school punkoid goofing from everyone's favourite oddball college dropout group. Taken from the Soupsters' ludicrously infectious 'Drunk Enough To Dance' album, 'Punk Rock 101' is available on CD only.
Lee Cabrera ft. Alex Cartana - Shake It (Move A Little Closer) Although 'Shake It' in its original, instrumental form has done a fair few rounds by now, by simply adding a vocal on top (courtesy of Alex Cartana), Cabrera and Lee have nailed down a Latino-flavoured dance classic for 2003.
Kelly Clarkson - Miss Independent For those who don't know, Kelly Clarkson was the overall winner of the American version of the UK hit show/running talent contest, Pop Idol. Blessed with enormous appeal and a voice that is up there with the very best of them, the 'Miss Independent' track is the perfect showcase of such a prodigious new talent. Slow to start off with, but once it gets into the chorus, it just bounces into a soft rock ballad. Simon Cowell must be rolling in royalities by now.
Elton John - Are You Ready For Love Originally a minor hit in May 79, peaked at No.42. This is Elton being Elton as only Elton can. You must have heard this track already - it's the song in the Sky Sports advert telling everyone just how much football they've got. It romps along in good ol' fashioned sing-a-long style and should see Elton back in the upper echelons of the charts. 'Bout time too.
Ocean Colour Scene - Make The Deal Survivors of the Dad Rock and Britpop implosions, Ocean Colour Scenes debut album on the Sanctuary label, 'North Atlantic Drift' has seen them verify their position as one of the UK's leading rock outfits. 'Make the Deal' is the latest track from the set and builds from an irresistible sixties retro groove.
Sean Paul - Like Glue After a No.1 hit with Blu Cantrell, Sean Paul returns on his lonesome to the sound of 'Like Glue'. The man of the moment is Sean Paul. 'Dutty Rock' just won't stop selling and every other single in the chart seems to have his name on it somewhere. 'Like Glue' stays true to his dancehall grounding and puts the sunshine back onto the dancefloor.
Snap Vs Motivo - The Power of Bhanghra Mix the original hit 'The Power' which was originally a hit back in March '90, with a bit of Bhanghra and you got the perfect Bhanghra hit of the summer. The German duo behind the dance floor phenomenon that is Snap! Are back and this time they're armed with a reworked version of their all time classic, aptly re-titled 'The Power (of Bhangra)'. However, if you think that this is just another remix of a classic tune you are gravely mistaken. This Bhangra-beated version of 'The Power' started life as a bootleg remix by Italian producers Motivo and is a bone fide bomb.
The Thrills - Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far) When the 'Santa Cruz' track was originally released, The Thrills hadn't done quite a few things. They hadn't played Glastonbury to an ecstatic reception, for example. And their debut album, 'So Much For the City', had yet to set the world alight. All that's changed now, of course, and we get to experience the 'Santa Cruz' moment in a new light.
Shania Twain - Thank You Baby! (For Making Someday Come So Soon) Whilst there are a fair few female singers who can lay claim to leading the country music genre out of the hayricks and into the charts, it was Shania Twain who put in most of the groundwork. 'Thank You Baby (For Making Someday Come So Soon)' finds Shania carrying on her good works.
Wheatus - An American In Amsterdam If you remember 'Teenage Dirtbag' then this band need no introduction, welcome back Wheatus! The song is in the same style, kick-ass rock and its quite good. Easy to listen to and deliver well. Look out for their brand new studio album coming up in a few weeks time.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
3hird Light - Movin' On EP
The Agenda - I Want The Panic
Amen UK - Passion
Tim Burgess - I Believe In The Spirit
The Capes - Regional Heats
Chikinki - Hate TV
The Datsuns - MF From Hell
Chris Farlowe - I'll Leave The Light On
Grandaddy - El Caminos In The West
Grim Northern Social - Urban Pressure
In-Grid - Tu Es Foutu
Laibach - Tanz Mit Laibach
LFO - Freak
Leslie Loh - Boom Bang Bang
Mclusky - Undress For Success
P*Nut - Hey Hey Hey
The Rapture - House Of Jealous Lovers
Kezi Silverstone - This Is Who I Am
Skyclad - Swords Of A Thousand Men
The Stills - Rememberese EP
Sugarcult - Bouncing Off The Walls
Tiga - Hot In Herre
UNKLE - Eye For An Eye
Single Release Schedule
September 1
A - Good Time
Audio Bullys - Way Too Long
Erykah Badu - Danger
Barbara Baldieri - Todo Lo Que Quiero (All I Want Is You)
Barn Dance Boys - Yippie-I-Oh
Big Brovaz - Baby Boy
The Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love?
The Clams - Cut Me Loose
The Cooper Temple Clause - Promises Promises
Dallas Superstars - Helium
Dare - Chihuahua
David Bowie - New Killer Star
Dido - White Flag
Fannypack - Camel Toe
Freeland - We Want Your Soul
Fun Lovin' Criminals - Too Hot
Gay Dad - Joy
Macy Gray - She Ain't Right For You
Groove Armada - But I Feel Good
Harry - So Real
Iron Maiden - Wildest Dreams
Norah Jones - Don't Know Why
Lacquer - Behind
Michelle Lawson - I Just Wanna Say
Marilyn Manson - This Is The New Shit
Moloko - Blow X Blow
Monica - So Gone (12")
Keith Murray featuring Def Squad - Yeah Yeah U Know It
Akayzia Parker - Tuesday's Girl
Poison The Well - Ghostchant
The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil
Seal - Get It Together
Simple Kid - The Average Man
Sonique - Alive
Space Cowboy - Crazy Talk/Just Put Your Hand In Mine
Spiritualized - She Kissed Me (It Felt Like A Hit)
Starsailor - Silence Is Easy
Sugardaddy - Sweet Soca Music
Trapt - Headstrong
The Underdog Project vs Sunclub - Summer Jam
Violent Delight - Transmission
Walkerman - Listen To Mama
The White Stripes - I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
Zoot Woman - It's Automatic
September 8
AFI - The Leaving Song
Christina Aguilera featuring Lil' Kim - Can't Hold Us Down
The Ataris - The Boys Of Summer
Buju Banton - Paid Not Played
Eagle-Eye Cherry - Don't Give Up/Skull Tattoo
Cosmic Rough Riders - Justify The Rain
Culture Beat - Mr. Vain Recall
Deftones - Bloody Cape
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Manhood
DJ Bobo - Chihuahua
Drunkenmunkey - E
Dutch featuring Crystal Waters - This Is My Time
Elviss - Comodose
Gareth Gates - Sunshine
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
HIM - Sacriment
Interpol - Obstacle 1
Kontakt - Show Me A Sign
Lemonescent - Unconditional Love
Linkin Park - Numb
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
The Raveonettes - That Great Love Sound
Rishi Rich Project - Dance With You (Nachna Tere Naal)
Lisa Scott-Lee - Too Far Gone
Skin - Faithfulness
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
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
Clea - Download It
Tim Deluxe - Less Talk, More Action
Electric Soft Parade - Things I've Done Before
Evanescence - Going Under
Foo Fighters - Have It All
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
Louise - Pandora's Kiss
Mankato - Pictures Of The Other Side
Lene Marlin - You Weren't There
Nickelback - Someday
Peppercorn - Nice To You
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
Rachel Stevens - Sweet Dreams (My LA Ex)
Sting - Send Your Love
Justin Timberlake - Se�orita
Tindersticks - Sweet Oblivion
Turin Brakes - 5 Mile (These Are The Days)
Westlife - Hey Whatever
September 22
Athlete - You Got The Style
The Bandits - 2 Step Rock
B2K - Uh-Huh
Blondie - Good Boys
Butterfly Boucher - I Can't Make Me Love You
Melanie C - Yeh Yeh Yeh
The Darkness - I Believe In A Thing Called Love
Deftones - Hectogram
Siobhan Donaghy - Twist Of Fate
Feeder - Find The Colour
Har Mar Superstar - Brothers And Sisters
Emma Holland - Sunshine
Kelis - Milkshake
Longview - Can't Explain
Nodesha - Get It While It's Hot
Outkast - Ghetto Music
Polaroid - So Damn Beautiful
Elvis Presley - Rubberneckin'
Joe Strummer - Coma Girl
Amy Studt - Under The Thumb
Jurgen Vries - Wilderness
Warrior - X
Wayne Wonder - Friend Like Me
September 29
50 Cent - P.I.M.P.
The Coral - Secret Kiss
Europa XL introducing Natalie James - Rooms On Fire
Robin Gibb - A Lover's Prayer
Finley Quaye featuring Beth Orton - Dice
S Club 8 - Sundown
Scooter - Maria (I Like It Loud)
Travis - Re-Offender
Paul Van Dyk - Time Of Our Lives/Connected
Maria Willson - Mr Alibi
October 6
Beyonc� featuring Sean Paul - Baby Boy
Erasure - Oh L'Amour
Fast Food Rockers - Say Cheese (Smile Please)
Hazzards - Gay Boyfriend
Outlandish - Aicha
The Pretenders - The Losing
Stacie Orrico - (There's Gotta Be) More To Life
Santana featuring Alex Band - Why Don't You And I
Suede - Attitude
Texas - Carnival Girl
Ian Van Dahl - I Can't Let You Go
October 13
Blu Cantrell - Round Up
Craig David - World Filled With Love
Emma - Maybe
Kings Of Leon - Wasted Time
Kosheen - Wasting My Time
Pharrell featuring Busta Rhymes - Light Your Ass On Fire
REM - Bad Day
Soil - Pride
Super Furry Animals - Hello Sunshine
Tatjana - Santa Maria 2003
October 20
Abs - Seven Ways To Break My Heart
Blue - Guilty
Liberty X - Jumpin'
David Sneddon - Baby Get Higher
October 27
Hundred Reasons - The Great Test
R Kelly - Thoia Thoing
Maroon 5 - Harder To Breathe
Pink - God Is A DJ
November 3
Atomic Kitten - If You Come To Me
Mel Blatt - Blue
The Cooper Temple Clause - Blind Pilot
Javine - Don't Walk Away
Love Inc - Into The Night
November 10
Basement Jaxx featuring Dizzee Rascal - Lucky Star
Mis-Teeq - Crossroads
Stereophonics - Since I Told You It's Over
