MUSIC NEWS: MARIAH CAREY REMIXING "MEMOIRS..." FOR NEW ALBUM

Several reports suggest that Mariah Carey is moving along with efforts of creating a remix album of "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel," as it has received an official release date in the new year (February 23, 2010), and stills of remix video footage surface. Neither Mariah nor her label should be content with the commercial performance of the album, so its apparent that Mariah is trying to rectify the situation with the new remix project. She is slated to work with other producers for the project such as Jermaine Dupri and his clan, Ne-Yo, and collaborations from the likes of R&B and Hip-Hop's finest such as Trey Songz, R. Kelly, Fabolous, Snoop Dogg, KC & JoJo, Nicki Minaj, and even the Queen of Hip Hop Soul - Mary J. Blige.

The "Angels Cry Remix" featuring Ne-Yo and The "Up Out My Face Remix" featuring Nicki Minaj will be future singles. Currently, Mariah is promoting her fourth single "It's A Wrap" rather quietly.

It seems like "Memoirs..." failed because of bad decisions in single choice and lackluster promotion. "Obsessed" was the perfect summer record and it really got the ball rolling for this project. "I Want To Know What Love Is" was the worst possible lead single follow-up choice. "H.A.T.E.U" should have been the second single, as the album's buzz song it would have been huge following a smash such as "Obsessed." "It's A Wrap" could have very well been released as the album's third single or along with "H.A.T.E.U" as the song's have two very different aura, appealing to opposite audiences. Then, there would not be a need or push for a remix album, although the collaborations Mariah has set up will make for good music.

There has been word that fans blame the exclusive production motif from the-Dream and Tricky Stewart for the album's failure. However, i feel that is not why the album failed. The-Dream and Tricky did their thing for the most part with this album. Mariah clearly wanted another "Butterfly," and the duo gave her the 2009 version. I will admit, some of the songs could have been omitted from the album, and there should have been contributions from other productions outside of the The-Dream and Tricky Stewart's clan. Missy Elliott, Diddy, and Jermaine Dupri were contributors to the original "Butterfly" so I cannot understand why Mariah would not enlist their help, which would have made a lot of sense.

INDUSTRY NEWS: OBSSESSED UNOFFICIAL?

About a week ago, Mariah Carey tweet that her upcoming twelfth studio album, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" was being pushed back to a September 29th release.

Now, Mariah's saying that "Obsessed" was not the first official single from "Memoirs...," instead it was just a fun, summer-time buzz single.

The official single is actually a gospel-tinged remake of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is." The song is already a power-ballad, and automatically makes me think of the Motown 25 special where Diana Ross, Patti Labelle, and others in attendance sing the song.

With a different production style, I feel as though the song could be a nice hit that could appeal to urban and pop radio (more so pop than urban in fact). The song definitely fits the description of the concept of Mariah's album, which is supposed to be in the tradition of "Butterfly" and older albums.

Once I actually hear the song, I'll post and review it.