Sunday October 5th, 2003
New CD's this past week:
None to report
Music news stories this week:
Michael Jackson Cutting R. Kelly Penned Single
Michael Jackson is getting some help with
his latest attempt to jump
start his career. According the British paper, The Sun, his next single,
"One More Chance," will be released November 10th, and was written by
troubled soul superstar R. Kelly. Kelly, best knows for his hit single,
"I Believe I Can Fly," is currently free on bail awaiting trial on
charges he was involved with child pornography. He has denied all
allegations.
Meanwhile, the single release will be a part of the promotional hype for
Jackson's next CD of Number One hits, which according to DotMusic.com
will be released on November 17th.
Kelly previously wrote and produced another song for Jackson -- "You Are
Not Alone" from Michael's History album. The single went platinum in
1995.
Boyz II Men To Release Best Of Set
Boyz II Men will release their second
greatest hit compilation, The Best
Of Boyz II Men, on October 7th. The set will include three songs, "Uhh
Ahh," "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday(Radio Version),"
and
"Thank You," which were not included on the group's 2001 best of
compilation, Legacy.
The Best Of Boyz II Men will also include the chart-topping hits, "End
Of The Road," "I'll Make Love To You, " and "A Song For
Mama."
Boyz II Men, which is made up of Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris, Nathan
Morris, and Michael McCary, rose to stardom when they hooked up with
Michael Bivins of New Edition after graduating from Philadelphia's High
School Of Creative & Performing Arts in 1988. The group released its
multi-platinum debut, Cooleyhighharmony, in 1991.
Clive Davis Collars the Underdogs
The Underdogs add the title "label
owner" to their resume.
Songwriting/production duo Harvey Mason Jr. and Damon Thomas' Underdog
Entertainment has signed a deal with Clive Davis and J Records.
The pact calls for Mason and Thomas to develop, produce and sign new
acts to Underdog Entertainment. J Records will oversee all marketing,
promotion, sales and distribution for the new label. The Underdogs will
continue to produce artists on J Records and other labels.
"This has been our goal for the last few years while we've been building
a production company and finding artists we're inspired by," Mason says.
He adds that the label is negotiating deals with two artists. Look for
the first Underdog Entertainment/J release next year.
In the meantime, the Los Angeles-based team is working on projects by
"American Idol" second-season winner Ruben Studdard, Craig David,
Heather Headley, Babyface, Dream and Joe. The team's past music
credentials include Justin Timberlake, Tyrese, Mariah Carey, Pink, B2K
and Luther Vandross.
Halle Berry And Eric Bent Have Separated
Actress Halle Berry might soon be single
again. Entertainment Tonight
reported yesterday (October 1st) that the Oscar-winning actress and her
husband, musician Eric Benet, have separated, after less than three
years of marriage. In a statement released to the television show, Berry
said, "Eric and I have had marital problems for some time now and have
tried to work things out together. However, at this point, I feel we
need time apart to re-evaluate our union. We ask that you respect our
privacy as we are going through this emotional time."
Berry and Benet married in January 2001, and she's adopted his daughter,
India. Previously, tabloids had linked Benet to other women and it was
reported he'd sought treatment for a sexual addiction. However, Berry
told Essence magazine last year that she and Benet had made it through
difficult times.
Berry was previously married to baseball star David Justice. They
divorced after three years of marriage in 1996. Recently, she's been
linked to Limp Bizkit front man Fred Durst. He recently told the New
York Post that he and Berry shared what he described as the "greatest
kiss ever" while shooting a video for his band, and he claimed the two
have become good friends.
Bits & Pieces
Usher's next Arista album,
"Confessions," is due in first-quarter 2004.
Production collaborators include the Neptunes, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis,
Touch of Jazz's Vidal & Dre and Rich Harrison ("Crazy in Love").
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the Grammy
Award-winning duo's Flyte Tyme
Productions is winging its way to Los Angeles. Flyte Tyme West opens in
early 2004; actual location and staff are still being finalized. The
pair's headquarters remain in Minneapolis.
Current Flyte Tyme projects include music for the films "The Fighting
Temptations" and the October release "Radio." The latter,
starring Cuba
Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris, will feature Motown/Universal artist
India.Arie during the end-credits track.
Former Elektra artist Keith Sweat signs
with the Sanctuary label. Sweat
is also among the co-producers on former labelmate Silk's new project,
"Silktime" (Sept. 23).
With former member Gary Jenkins opting to
pursue a solo career, Silk is
now a quartet. The new album finds remaining members Timothy Cameron,
Jimmy Gates Jr., Gary Glenn and Johnathen Rasboro recording under the
group's own Silk Music Group banner. The label is distributed by
Minnesota-based Liquid 8 Records.
Marques Houston will now make his solo
album debut under the
T.U.G./Elektra banner. It is set for release Oct. 21. Formerly with
Interscope,Houston is climbing the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks
chart with "Clubbin" .