Sunday October 10th, 2004
New CD's this past week:
- Raphael Saadiq – Ray Ray
- Jon B – Stronger everyday
- Chaka Khan - ClassiKhan
- Avani – The real thing (UK release)
Music news stories this week:
Tony! Toni! Tone! And Lucy Pearl Reunions In The
Works
Singer and producer Raphael Saadiq
released his sophomore solo album,
Raphael Saadiq As Ray Ray, yesterday, October 5th, but the star is already
looking forward to two reunion albums he's slated to work on.
Saadiq and his Tony Tone Toni group mates have reunited, and the trio will
be releasing a new album on Saadiq's Pookie Entertainment in 2005.
Saadiq's other group, Lucy Pearl, will also be reuniting for a new album
next year. The group's lineup will include: Saadiq, Dawn Robinson, and
rapper Q-Tip.
Fantasia To Appear As Aretha Franklin On “American
Dream”
Twenty-year-old American Idol 3 winner
Fantasia will portray her idol
Aretha Franklin on an upcoming episode of NBC's 1960s drama American
Dreams.
Many current pop stars have appeared on American Dreams as 1960s legends,
including Nick Lachey as Tom Jones, Jason Mraz as Dion, Fefe Dobson as
Tina Turner, Wyclef Jean as Curtis Mayfield, and Kelly Rowland as Martha
Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas.
Fantasia's debut CD is due at the end of November, and will feature tracks
produced by Missy Elliott, Jermaine Dupri, the Underdogs and Rodney
Jerkins. Her single "I Believe" was released in June and sold over 300,000
copies.
Brenda Russell Releases “Between The Sun The Moon”
Singer and songwriter Brenda Russell made a welcome return to the U.S.
market last week (October 5th) with her new studio set, Between The Sun And
The Moon. The album is being distributed through Narada Jazz, and was
previously issued in the U.K. on Dome Records.
Russell collaborated with a few prominent British songwriters and
producers for a change of pace, including Simon Laws of Soul II Soul,
Victor Redwood-Sawyer of Hil St. Soul, and Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick of
Incognito. The set's title track is a collaboration and duet with fellow
vocalist and songwriter Patti Austin. Also included is Russell's unique
version of Smokey Robinson's "Tracks Of My Tears," which she originally
recorded with guitarist Lee Ritenour for the A Twist Of Motown set from
2003.