INDUSRY NEWS: FANTASIA GEARS UP FOR THIRD ALBUM

According to the AP, American idol season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino is ready to come back with a new album. Her 2006 album, "Fantasia" was moderately successful, receiving a gold certification and yielding the number one R&B hit "When I See You."

After a three year hiatus, Fantasia is in the process of recording her third album which should be due out in the fall. She says she loves the way old albums deliver a live sound, and would like to record her new album in that tradition. She plans on bringing in a live orchestra, and will more than likely record the new album in takes instead of today's methods of recording a song in parts.

Already, it seems like Fantasia's album is going to be good for the simple fact that she is releasing a third album with all of her recent financial problems going on. Musically, I'm expecting this album to have an updated vintage sound that is raw yet infectious. If Fantasia can produce some interesting, commercially viable singles in the tradition of Lauryn's Hills "(Doo Wop) That Thing," Fantasia could have a hit album on her hands. I hope she does some remakes on it as well (Barbara Acklin's 1968 hit "Love Makes A Woman" would be a nice cover for Fantasia to do).

I will definitely be positing any and all information regarding the development and release of this album. Fantasia is very brave for taking risk when she is clearly not the hottest chick in the game as far as commercial sales go. All in all, she's making music to make good music not sell records, and I can respect that any day.

Sidenote: I wish Mary J. Blige would have gone this direction with her new album due out this fall.