TYDmusic.com: Musicscene 83

Mariah returns with new album due in December

Pop and R&B diva Mariah Carey returns to the limelight once again with a new label and a new album. The lass known to many as 'the butterfly' hasn't had an easy time of it lately with the now infamous breakdown and a movie with a starring role that was a major flop.

Mariah, who joined Def Jam Records a label dominated by hip-hop in May has the new album slated for a December 10 release. The yet-to-be-titled album was recorded in exotic islands such as Capri, Italy, and Nassau, Bahamas.

Mariah is determined to shake off the embarrassment of what happened with "Glitter" as well as a highly publicized emotional breakdown and split with Virgin Records by placing herself with some of her favourite producers in the industry - Jermaine Dupri and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. She has also collaborated with newcomer 7 Aurelius, who is part of the Murder Inc. camp and had a hand in recent hits for Jennifer Lopez, Ashanti and Ja Rule.

According to sources close to Carey, despite the diverse contributors, the new album will still be very personal and touch on many of the singer's recent tribulations, since Mariah wrote and co-produced many of the tracks herself. Fans can look forward to a first single off the album in September.

Source: soulnotes.cc

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The King of Pop to work with Murder Inc. C.E.O

The king of pop has been in the spotlight of late accusing his label Sony Records of not promoting his last album 'Invincible' and even resorted to calling names to one of the labels executive Tommy Mattola. This time around he's making news in a different light in hiring Irv Gotti Murder Inc's man of many hats. The CEO/director/producer and artist recalls getting the infamous call from the 'gloved one' - "I was going to game two of the New Jersey Nets series when they was playing the Boston Celtics. My phone rings, and who's on it? none other than Michael Jackson! He's like, 'Gotti, you're a genius and I gotta work with you."

The two then made plans to meet on mutual grounds but that in turn meant flying to Michael's Neverland which at first Irv was not too keen on, he explained "I felt it wasn't a good playing field, because if I had to go tell him to go 'F---' himself and 'You're an idiot,' I wouldn't be able to do it at Neverland 'cause he's got home-court advantage," Nevertheless he made the trip and was surprised to find out that Michael's not what people say he is - "You heard all the stories, 'He's gotta have tape [on the bridge of his nose], his nose is gonna fall off,' " Irv added. "Nah, that's bull. After 5 or 10 minutes, I swear to God, he's just Mike. It's just a normal conversation. This guy ain't no weirdo or anything like that. He's like a regular dude."

They met for 2 hours and Irv was so convinced of his statue that he promised that he'll bring Michael to dominance again wanted to start working right away but there was a slight problem - "He has no studio in his house," Gotti said, almost still in denial. "Can you believe it? We played music for him on a little tiny radio. I'm like, 'Mike, what's up, man? You got all the safaris and stuff. Where's the studio?' ". No formal announcement has been made about the forthcoming project and who will appear on it but all in good time eh!

Source - soulnotes.cc

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Brown Sugar SDTK: this years 'sweet set'

A couple of years ago soundtracks such as Rush Hour, Disappearing Acts and Love and Basketball were the new rulers of the charts spawning no.1 hits and top ten contenders. But since then rap and pop acts have been in the drivers seat and the soundtrack seemed to have taken a back seat.

This year has seen a couple of good soundtracks that have sprouted. 'Barbershop' starring Ice Cube and rapstress Eve and 'Brown Sugar' starring Taye Diggs and Saana Nathan are two in the running. The latter promises to be this years breakout soundtrack featuring some of today's hottest collaborations in hip hop and R&B. Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Common, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, the Roots, Mary J. Blige, and Faith Evans all appear on the album which is due Sept. 24 on Magic Johnson's record label MJM. The film -- the story of two friends (Diggs and Lathan) making it big in the music industry arrives Oct. 11.

The film features cameo appearances by the likes of Method Man, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Dana Dane, Common and the Roots. Queen Latifah and Mos Def also have parts in the film itself. Speaking of Most Def he contributes four songs to the soundtrack, "Brown Sugar (Fine)," "Breakdown," "Brown Sugar (Raw)" with Black Star's Talib Kweli, and "Brown Sugar (Super Fine)" featuring Faith Evans. Other tracks include Eric B. & Rakim's classic "Paid in Full," (7 Minutes of Madness rmx) and Jill Scott - 'Easy Conversation' Basketball legend Earvin 'Magic' Johnson served as executive producer of both the film and the accompanying album.

Here is the track listing for the "Brown Sugar" soundtrack:

Mos Def - Brown Sugar (Fine)
Erykah Badu featuring Common - Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)
Angie Stone - Bring Your Heart
Mos Def - Brown Sugar (Raw)
Jill Scott - Easy Conversation
Blackalicious (featuring Lateef the Truth Speaker and KeKe Wyatt) - It's Going Down
Mos Def - Breakdown
Hi-Tek featuring Big D and Piakhan - No One Knows Her Name
Eric B. & Rakim - Paid in Full (7 Minutes of Madness Remix)
Rahsaan Patterson - You Make Life So Good
The Roots - Act Too (Love of My Life remix)
Mary J. Blige - Never Been
Mos Def featuring Faith Evans - Brown Sugar (Super Fine)

Source - billboard.com

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Teena Marie remakes her 'Square Biz' for 'Hollywood Squares'

Legendary songstress Teena Marie is in talks to sing the new theme song for the TV game show series Hollywood Squares, according to her manager Lee Cadena. Said Cadena, "Teena was asked to revamp her '80s hit 'Square Biz' for the television show 'Hollywood Squares' produced by Henry Winkler's 337 Entertainment.
Ms. Marie re-recorded "Square Biz" last Monday and Tuesday (August 5 and 6) giving it a live performance feel featuring references to the long-running program that recently featured Whoopi Goldberg as the center square. According to her website the rumor is over, Teena has signed with the New Orleans based Cash Money Records.