MICHAEL JACKSON WON’T BE WITH JACKSON 5

Almost as soon as Jermaine Jackson announced that Michael Jackson would be joining the Jackson 5 for a reunion next year, it was announced he actually wouldn’t be. According to MTV News, Michael released a statement through his spokesperson that said: “My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we’ve certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them.” Michael went on to explain what’s keeping him busy these days, saying: “I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon.”

BUSTA ALBUM NOW DUE IN MARCH

Busta Rhymes has been through a lot this year. After having his album pushed back a number of times, switching its title, leaving his label and signing a deal with a new label, his album has been delayed yet again. B.O.M.B. (Back On My Bulls**t) will now be out in March of 2009 instead of December of this year.

T-PAIN’S ALBUM LEAKS

Here’s a treat for some. T-Pain’s Thr33 Ringz album has been leaked to the Internet. XXLMag.com reports the album made its way in to cyberspace just about two weeks before it was scheduled to drop. The album has been pushed back many times since the original announcement that Pain would have a new record. Though it is already out there, the disc will legally hit stores November 11th.

BIRDMAN AND LIL WAYNE MOVIE

Birdman spilled the beans. The Cash Money Records co-founder told Ed Lover and Free of New York’s Power 105.1 that he and Lil Wayne will be releasing a film next year. He didn’t go into detail but he did mention it would be about growing up in their hometown of New Orleans. Birdman said their movie, Like Father, Like Son would be out in June.

LEONA LEWIS COVERS SNOW PATROL

Leona Lewis is re-releasing her debut album Spirit in the United Kingdom. On the new CD, she’s included a cover she sang of Snow Patrol’s tune “Run.” To get their hands on the cover, fans in the United States can order the CD on Amazon.co.uk starting November 17th.

DUFFY IS ON FIRE, LITERALLY

When Duffy opened for Coldplay at the end of last moth, she probably figured the shows would be pretty hot. But according to ContactMusic.com, one of the shows got a little too hot: the singer-songwriter accidentally set her hair on fire backstage. The Welshwoman revealed that her dressing room was a bit drab so she decided to spruce it up with some candles. One was burning too fast and when she tried to put it out some trouble arose. She said, “I got a cloth to wipe it up and bent down, not realizing it was still lit. Then the entire left side of my hair went up in flames.” Making matters worse, Chris Martin was on his way to introduce himself to Duffy when the dressing room reeked of burnt hair. The “Mercy” singer commented, “Chris could smell it, you couldn’t avoid smelling it. Can you imagine if I had gone up in flames? Nightmare. I honestly saw my life flash before my eyes.”

THE FRAY RETURN WITH ALBUM TWO

The Fray will make their return to music next year. Their MySpace blog says their new record will be out on February 3rd, 2009. No title for the record yet, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted. This is the second album from the GRAMMY-Award winning band behind the song “How to Save a Life.”

SEAL’S NEW VIDEO HERE

MySpace Music is proud to announce the worldwide exclusive premiere of the new video from Seal titled “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” from Seal’s upcoming album “Soul”, hitting stores on 11/11,  featuring covers of classic tracks from James Brown, Sam Cooke, Al Green and more! Check out Seal’s MySpace Music page.

“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”:

SKOPE IT HERE!

www.myspace.com/seal

PHOENIX BLOCK ONE SPIN AHEAD OF DAUGHTRY

Phoenix Block knows one vote can make a difference in an election, and one spin can put you in the Top 10.  Phoenix Block’s “Future Calling” AC radio hit edged out American Idol finalist Daughtry by one spin to put the song in the ACQB Top 10 in good company with songs by Kid Rock, David Cook, Coldplay, and Jason Mraz.

MTV recently licensed 3 songs from Phoenix Block’s Chemtrails CD. The songs in the deal include the aforementioned radio hit “Future Calling”, along with “Ugly Side of You”, and “Tear Us Apart”.

Driven by a passionate energy and modern electronica experimentalism, Phoenix Block creates an undeniable emotional power that is touching fans throughout in Florida and beyond. Their rise began with the collaboration of lead vocalist Andrew Jaffe and guitarist/keyboardist Steve Schoeffler, lifelong friends who grew up in South Jersey. Influenced early on by The Beatles, they found their chief melodic inspirations in the pop icons of the 70s and 80s: Billy Joel, Elton John, The Eagles, The Police and U2. The two made a go of it in New York City, playing in bands like Stretch Vinyl and Son of You in Greenwich Village and on the Northeast college circuit.

www.phoenixblock.com

Photo by Robert Hayman

John Digweed, Bedrock 10 - Best of the Past Present and Future

John Digweed’s Bedrock 10-Best of the Past, Present, and Future, is a fresh rendition of some of the best minimal, progressive, and articulate techno to come out of the UK. Simple and well thought out, much like a Future Sounds of London, or Moby’s Ambient meets some of the darker Fabric and Global Underground artists. John Digweed definitely delivers a great, although unsurprising, live mix.

It is clear that this double disc is geared more towards clubs and DJs than the personal listener. While these tracks provide a solid beat and some neat variations of beloved songs, to the at home listener and reviewer, one has to wonder if any new important tracks are coming out now. It is understandable because it is the best of the past present and future, but it so bleak out there that John Digweed has to remix “Beautiful Strange” for the fiftieth time?
It is most assuredly Guy J’s, fresh “Save Me ( James Talk remix)” that is the hit of the first disc with a late night, spacey GU Afterhours compilations meets John Digweed vibe. However, as said before, this is a mixed album and does better as an entire entity that captures the UK master’s club vibe and live set.
   
Disc One is tame in comparison to the explosiveness of Disc Two that barrels in with some super processed synth lines, layered with effects; giving it an anticipatory, haunting feeling. Bedrock’s “Forge” by John Middleton is electric and commanding as it blasts in with the lucid arpeggiations and confident bass that is sure to make every head turn. It is fresh, new, lush, and deep. Again, Guy J’s track “Lunar” takes it up another notch with even darker, grittier basses and wonderful sine wave sounds, tipping his hat to the likes of Steve Lawler and Ewan Pearson. The listener gets everything the heart desires on Disc Two from infectious beats to intricate, heartfelt melodies, and dirty basses. “Empathy” absolutely sparkles with light and is the best track from Disc Two. After that, the album pretty much dissolves into a noisy, harsh, techno clashing with dirty house leaving a forgettable image in one’s mind.
   
As a whole, there were a few key tracks that were a pleasure to listen to. Definitely worth picking up a copy, even if it were just for those few to either remix or put in a shuffle playlist. A great album to use while spinning a set or doing a radio show, not one to listen to front to back.

Words By: Whidden Flores

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