INDUSTRY NEWS: NEW MONICA ALBUM

For the longest time, Monica kept on saying she had an album and single entitled "Still Standing" in the works, and a reality show on BET of the same name but we still haven't the fruits of that labor...

However, Mo's label has officially set release dates for a new lead sing entitled "Let Me Know," with production from Missy and lyrics from Jazmine Sullivan, to hit airwaves August 3rd. The new album is set to hit stores October 13th, and the BET show will be airing in the fall.

All I can say is big-ups to Mo because she deserves the attention. It's kind of sad that she had to ride Keyshia Cole's coat tails to get some recognition and creditability in 2009 from her label. "Trust" should have been solely a Monica record considering she steals the spotlight from Keyshia everytime the two perform the song, ie. The BET Awards - Keyshia had to literally tap Mo to stop singing so she could do her part.

Artistically, I wonder if Monica is going to change. Youtube videos from Jermaine Dupi's page indicate that she knows she just needs to do ballads. I'm not completely sure because Monica sings a mid-tempo song like no other. Another thing that Monica said that she knows people want is the 95' Monica. That's a major revelation... Vocally Monica is still there; she's like a new age Gladys Knight to me. As far as producers go, I know she's done some songs with Stargate and Ne-Yo. She is definitely sticking with her Atlanta fam: Bryan-Michael Cox, Johnta Austin, and JD, and as the lead single indicates, Missy is on the project.

The biggest question that surrounds the project for me is could there be a possible reunion of Mo and Dallas Austin. He was responsible for her discovery and emergence as an R&B force in the mid-90's. If he feels as though he could produce music Monica would actually record, I think this would be a major boost for both of their careers cause lets be honest Jermaine can't necessarily do what Dallas did for Monica musically and Dallas' involvement with Diddy's "Last Train To Paris" album is not going to turn heads.

ALBUM REVIEW: TREY SONGZ MIXTAPE

About a week ago, Trey Songz released his mixtape for free download entitled,"Anticipation." I must say that Trey definitely stepped his game, and I am even going to say that Trey's mixtape is better than most artists' official albums which means his new album, "Ready" is going to be amazing like Usher "Confessions" amazing. I'm glad Trey is really coming into his own as an artist. His vocals have really developed and it seems like he's really perfecting his vocals. His harmonies are tight, and his ad-libs are crazy. More importantly, he is also learning not to sing every song so rhythmically and perhaps that credit goes to Pharrell. Instead Trey has really focused on singing melodies which is key to delivering a good vocal performance on any song. All in all, I feel as though "Ready" will do extremely well and catapult Trey to a new level in his career.

You can download the mixtape for free here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QMAM7IYW

Also, his new album,"Ready" is set for a September 1st release - the same day as Whitney Houston and Jay-Z.

ALBUM REVIEW: MAXWELL

First off I must say this review was long overdue but not as long overdue as Maxwell's new Album "BLACKsummers'night." This short nine track set is the neo-soul King's first album since 2001, and this impressive comeback was certainly worth the wait. Initial buzz around the LP was major, and it was said that "BLACKsummer...." was intended to be a three set disc, but it seems that Maxwell or his record label went with one disc which was definitely a major mistake considering the album debuted at number one on the charts selling an astounding 316,000 units at the expense of the crossover comeback single "Pretty Wings."

All of this commercial success is definitely a testament to Maxwell's artistry and the public's desire for real soul music - not songs laced in auto-tune or references to Gucci and Louis Vuitton in every verse. With "BLACKsummer..." the only issues on Maxwell's mind are love and humanity. The album almost plays out as if it were the love child between Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On" lyrically, and an Al Green record as far vocals are concerned. I can already predict some Grammys coming Maxwell's way.

UPDATE: BACK AGAIN

Hey World! I was on a hiatus for a minute. I had death in the family. Yes, A very close cousin of mine was murdered at the tender age of 22 within these past few weeks, and I had a lot of school work to do so my updating the blog suffered. But now I'm back and ready to update like never before.

NEW MUSIC: WHITNEY HOUSTON

Whitney's supreme pipes are back into decent form with the unveiling of her comeback single "I Didn't Know My Own Strength." The song is conventional in all ways possible. It's definitely classic Whitney at her best right now singing a power ballad, written and produced by Diane Warren and David Foster respectively.

Although this really is classic Whitney, the vocals sound decent considering the condition they were in a few years ago, but the voice is not soaring in innovative ways where it did on records like "I Will Always Love You" and "I Have Nothing." Despite the lack in vocal ability, I think Whitney fans and music critics will overlook the minor flaw, because the long awaited return of Ms. Houston is triumphant so far.

NEW MUSIC: RYAN LESLIE

Here's a youtube clip of a new video that has surfaced of Ryan Leslie's new single "You're Not My Girl," from his upcoming Lp, entitled "Transition," due out later this fall. If the album is in fact released this fall, it will be his second studio album released in 2009.

The track is dynamite, but nothing less is ever expected of the musical genius as far as artistic side of things go. The track is mid-tempo and has an updated funk sound with a little ode to Barry White with the use of some of the percussion, used during the hook. I do not know if this song will become a hit because it does not have radio appeal in my opinion, not even neo-soul appeal either because Ryan's music is definitely cannot be placed into one category. So, it will be interesting to see how well this song is received by the public because I am certain critics and people heavy into music will dig this record.

INDUSTRY NEWS: VIBE MAGAZINE CLOSES

Vibe Magazine abruptly ceases operation. The news broke earlier this week, and one final cover is due out featuring the newly engaged, The-Dream and Christina Milian. Other information about the magazine has not leaked as far as exactly why Vibe has gone out of business.

ALBUM REVIEW: JEREMIH

The hit song "Birthday Sex" had grew on me, and I kind of thought the album might have been decent in the light some of The-Dream's project. However, this album definitely sucked. The songs were lyrically basic, quite trite, but the once good thing I can say about the album is that some of the beats are hot, but they are definitely overshadowed by some of the atrocious euro-pop/house music beats that sound very similar to Akon's work.

Rating: (1.5/5 stars)