NEW MUSIC: OCEAN'S 7 MIXTAPE

Ocean's 7 just released their first mixtape. And at first glance, you ask who is Ocean's 7? It basically an all star team consisting of Usher, Jermain Dupri, Bryan-Micahel Cox, songwriter Johnta Austin, Ty, Nelly, and Trey Songz. I always knew the first four mentioned were close, but I had no idea they'd enter into a creative-working relationship with the likes of Nelly, Trey Songz, and Ty (JD's personal assistant). And to my surprise, Jermaine Dupri posted this mixtape on his blog for free download to introduce the world to his new concept to resurrect "The Rat Pack."

At first glance, I was skeptical about this pairing because I felt like the entire Ocean's 5 concept was just a studio thing because Usher, Jermaine, B. Cox, Johnta, and JD's personal assistant are always together in Atlanta. With the new additions to the group, this mixtape is on point and entertaining, and the first thing I'm thinking is where's Diddy? But he appears on a skit. The group also has a rendition of Yung L.A.'s "Ain't I" which features a tight harmony from Usher, Trey, and Johnta , while each, except Usher, sing/rap verses along with JD. The next song called "Too Much Swag" features Bow Wow and has a sick, muttled beat. "Where's the Love" lends from Jay-Z's classic "Heat of the City, and does not disappoint. "Owe Me Sex" samples Young Jezzy's "Put On," where Kanye's phrase is put on constant loop. The song is crazy and real left field. And taking from Kanye once again, "It's Amazing" puts an interesting spin on "Amazing," and makes the song more interesting than the original. Their take on Kid Cudi's "Day N' Night" is verbatim, and the set ends in a Vegas/Elvis inspired record entitled "Vegas Baby," that gives Nelly his most prominent appearance on the set.

I don't really listen to mixtapes, but I must say that this mixtape was on point! Entertainment at its best! Shocking on so many levels. Its surprising that JD carries the entire mixtape, yet its good at the same time. In addition, Trey really stepped up his role on the mixtape (maybe trying to prove that his on his way to doing big things), while Usher took the backseat (perhaps writing with Johnta, who should really be working on his own album for release), and super-producer Bryan-Michael Cox proves he has some chops at producing possible hip-hop records (one of his flaws). With all the wack music on the radio now, i will definitely keep this mixtape in constant rotation (that way I can feel young, and give my vinyls and greatest hit compilations a rest). But once again, I'm impressed.

It will be interesting to see If anyone else tries to join in on the Ocean's 7 group, or tries to create their own Rat Pack group. It would be crazy if Diddy, Jay-Z, Kanye, and Ryan Leslie teamed up with some other like Fabolous perhaps and Dawn Richard (since she's gonna be in Diddy's new group Dirty Money along with some other chick). Or could we see some a female version of this new group. It's evident that Janet Jackson, Ashanti, Beyonce, and Mary J. are always in constant contact since all of these folks hang around the same circle.

To get the album for free download, hit up JD's site: http://www.global14.com/oceans-7-mixtape-now-available/

Also, download the free program winrar, so you can extract the files from the singular archived .rar file