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Archive for the ‘MUSIC REVIEWS’ Category
MUSIC REVIEW: Cassie – Rock a Bye Baby
If rolling your hips and twerking is your thing, the brand new Cassie mixtape is a must-have. Yes, you heard it, Bad Boy artist, Cassie, made her official return to music with the release of her new mixtape, RockaByeBaby, which dropped on the 11th of April.
Even though she hasn’t released an album since 2006, it may surprise some of you to learn that Cassie has stayed relatively active in music. She’s done a lot of work behind-the-scenes, including the occasional dabble in song writing. But now it’s her time to emerge once more. RockaByeBaby features thirteen new tracks and appearances from some of hip hop’s biggest names, including Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, Pusha T, Fabolous, Meek Mill, French Montana, Too Short, Jeremih and Ester Dean.
Cassie is reportedly in the studio working on a new full length release.
But back to RockaByeBaby…
The tracklist is as follows:
Posted in 
Dreams and Nightmares review
As the title says so itself, Meek Mill’s debut album Dreams And Nightmares details the MC’s journey from the nightmarish streets of his native Philadelphia, to the opulence of his current position as the most dependable player on Rick Ross’s Maybach Music squad.
Meek has emerged with an album that is distinct in both voice and sound. It is tense and dramatic, with variations of piano constituting the bedrock of the album and Meek rapping passionately even by his own standards.
His music channels pain and anger, and that’s evident on the album’s first two songs. On the opening title track, he raps for nearly four minutes, with intensity from the gut. This intro is a tough, raw track of straight lyrics with no chorus, hook, or break. Meek sounds like he is getting all of his thoughts out and gives us a taste of what the album is going to be about: STRUGGLE and TRIUMPH.
Meek slows down his flow on the second track. He talks about facing jail and life in the hood. The chorus is catchy with the line, “for the love of the money.” Meek tells his fans to stay in school, stay at work, and to stay with their family. Hood life isn’t for everyone. As far as the transition from mixtapes to major label releases go, this one is definitely a step forward.
Songs to check out: Dreams and Nightmares, Maybach Curtains ft Nas, John Legend and Rick Ross, Who You’re Around ft Mary J. Blige.
Daniel
My ¡DOS! – Greeb Day CD Review
I’ve been a Green Day fan since the release of their “American Idiot” cd. They’ve got the “we’ll do it our way and don’t care what you think or say” attitude about themselves and that’s what got me listening to their music.
“F@#$ time” and “night life” are two songs that I didn’t feel very excited about but as I went on through the rest of the cd, I started hearing the Green Day I liked when I first heard about them.
My favourite songs on the cd are “Amy”, “Lazy Bones” and “Stray Heart”.
“Amy” is quite mellow, laidback and is a heartfelt dedication to Amy Winehouse. It is the last song on the cd and ends it off on a light note. This particular song is my favourite as I’m a huge fan of Amy’s music and felt the heart strings tugging a bit.
“Lazy Bones” and “Stray Heart” on the other hand has the punk rocker typical Green Day feel to it.
“Lazy Bones” has that “tap your foot & move your body” vibe without you even realising it and just love the guitar and drum sounds to this song.
“Stray Heart” has a similar feel to “Lazy Bones”, very upbeat but still has the punk rocker feel to it and once again the guitar & drum sounds of this song just gets you going!
The lead singer’s vocals to all 3 songs were awesome.
All in all, I give the cd a 3 out of 5
Candice
Declaration
It is only fair to mention that I have an unhealthy obsession with Cee Lo Green. The man is the epitome of swag has oodles of charisma and… well in all honesty he makes my toes curl. Don’t judge! I therefore declare that I will be completely unbiased in this review.
Magic Moment
Cee Lo’s yuletide offering has a definite Motown flavour, yet it touches on the quirky and crazy side that Green is well known for. His duet on Baby It’s Cold Outside with ex The Voice colleague, Christina Aguilera is soulful and jazzy. It is arguably one of the best versions of this song I’ve heard. Other guest artists include Rod Steward on “Merry Christmas Baby” and The Muppets on “All I Need Is Love”. The latter is a catchy little bugger of a tune that stays in your head for days.
It samples The Muppets “Mahna Mahna” which is a favourite among kids and the young at heart. Cee Lo goes gospel with a beautiful rendition of “Mary, Did You Know” and sultry with a rendition of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas”. You may think that you’d get bored of listening to the same Christmas songs like “Silent Night” and the Mariah Carey classic, “All I want for Christmas” over and over again, but boredom by no means equates to Cee Lo Green. I believe that he is hugely underrated as an artist
My absolute favourite track on the cd is his offering of Joni Mitchell’s “River”, which is by not really a Christmas song but a break up song and the perfect fit for this cd.
Cee Lo’s Magic Moments gets THREE stars out of FIVE from this reviewer.
*Follow Mandy on Twitter @Kaapie_Girl
Do you know those artists who release an album and like immediately you know it’s gonna be a hit? Like even whether you’re a fan or not? Well, this is one such group …Linkin Park.
Linkin Park with its unique sound seem to be only churning out hits over the years that have become the soundtrack to our lives. I was introduced to these guys some years ago by two friends Riz and Bash who knew every word of every song off the cd. Then one day I walk into a Musica store, see this mash up album and decided to buy it 
Well technically it wasn’t an album it was labelled an EP cos it only had like 6 tunes and a dvd on the making of some songs on it. You see, radio stations were playing Numb/Encore by Jay Z and Linkin Park and I simply fell in love with it! It was a sad time when Chester developed throat cancer. Many fans say you can hear the change in his voice now as opposed to some years ago.
The latest CD by LP is entitled Living Things and is produced by Rick Rubin and Mike Shinoda and distributed by Warner Bros Records. Check out www.warnerbrosrecords.com for more information.
Now even though I’m not really a great fan of the angry white boy screaming vibe, it’s nice to have one or two of these as your favourites, especially when you’re in a bad mood or when you’re going through some crap in life It’s like you need those angry shouting swear words at cops and kind of hip hop tunes in your collection too The softer rock sounding tunes of Linkin Park are my favourites and on this album you’ll find quite a few of these. The stand out tunes for me are almost every bloody song on this CD but I must mention Castle of Glass, Skin to bone, Powerless, Lost in the echo, I’ll be gone, In my remains, Burn it down…ok I’ll stop now!
This CD has become a favourite and I hope I’m getting another copy so I can listen to it after the first copy was won by Danel on our Facebook competition Clearly an LP fan! Congrats Danel!
And the good news is that there are still some tickets available to their South African tour later this year, so go and check Computicket’s website.
A good CD that will become another collectors item 
See you at the concert!
Baydu
Here’s New Divide filmed live in Moscow:
Linkin Park shot to international fame with their debut album, ‘Hybrid Theory’ in 2000. Over the course of their career, the band sold over 50 million albums worldwide, with platinum album sales in 34 countries and 5 continents. Linkin Park is known for a long list of chart topping hits including ‘Crawling,” ‘Breaking The Habit,’ ‘Numb’ What I’ve Done,” ‘New Divide,” and “Waiting For the End.” From surreal videography to an unforgettable, iconic stage show, Linkin Park have always boasted a visual presence that befits the power of the music.
Linkin Park have just released their fifth studio album, ‘LIVING THINGS’ on 25th June, 2012. The album was co-produced by Rick Rubin (Adele, Metallica) and Linkin Park vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Mike Shinoda, who joined forces on Linkin Park’s two previous albums. Rolling Stone magazine says ‘The material is the bands most powerful since its megahit 2000 debut’.
From day one, Linkin Park built the band on fusing all of their favourite styles of music into one signature sound. Fast forward 12 years to ‘LIVING THINGS’ and the same six players have not only developed new tools to make that philosophy a reality, but they’re finally comfortable embracing – and coalescing – every aspect of their career.
www.linkinpark.com
Tour Itinerary
Cape Town – presented by Lucozade, 5FM and M-Net
7th November 2012
Cape Town Stadium
Tickets from R315.00 – R690.00
Johannesburg – presented by Lucozade, 5FM and M-Net
10th November
The Soccer City, Complex, FNB Stadium
Tickets from R315.00 – R690.00
Butterfly. That’s my ultimate favourite Jason Mraz track …like EVER! So now that I had to review the brand new Jason Mraz compilation called “Love is a four letter word” I knew it was never gonna be a difficult task, although somewhere at the back of my medulla oblongata I had set that “Butterfly standard”
This CD is one of those easy on the ear feel good type discs. You know that afternoon cruise around Campsbay Beach on a lazy 28 degree feelgood kinda Sundays? Yeah, those kind
Love is a four letter word has 12 tracks and includes I won’t give up. This album is a breath of fresh air in an age of noise and cussing and cursing and tons of aggravation. It’s almost as if Jason is saying “Hey guys let’s bring love the old school way back again”. And he’s right, we’ve not heard anyone say or sing that in a while to be honest, or maybe we just don’t hear enough artists saying that anymore.
What I like about Mraz is that this new album is made using only recyclable produce and he is also big on the green thinking thing. Maybe this is why he didn’t go the traditional plastic hard cover with blister pack rounding it off route. Nice one Jason! It even says the package is printed on 100% recycled stock.
The album transports you all over and without giving away too much you would love this if you’re a fan of easy listening or even traditional rock. It’s a good buy and will make the perfect gift for a loved one.
After having the CD in my car and playing it at home a few times it seems (for now) that track number 5 is my favourite. It’s a tune called 5/6. There is a track called Frank D. Fixer where he sings of his grand dad and it almost has a Simon and Garfunkel sound to it
The songs on Jason Mraz’s Love is a four letter word are:
-
I love this saying...
The freedom song
- Living in the moment
- The woman I love
- I won’t give up
- 5/6
- Everything is sound
- 93 million miles
- Frank D Fixer
- Who’s thinking about you now?
- In your hands
- Be honest (feat. Inara George)
- The world as I see it
This album is produced by Joe Chiccalrelli and is distributed by Atlantic and Gallo. Check out www.jasonmraz.com or www.atlanticrecords.com
All in all a good mood CD and especially if you’re a fan of his work, you will love this album!
Oh by the way, watch out for the hidden track after track 12
Happy listening
Baydu
Sean Paul's Tomahawk Technique
Sean Paul’s latest offering is called Tomahawk Technique and before I’m accused of being biased about the CD’s I review I’m gonna fuel that accusation and say that I really love this sound Maybe it’s unfair that I was asked to review Sean Paul cos you can tell I’m a fan
I was fortunuate enough to see him live in Cape Town many years ago sharing the stage with Snoop, Pharrell and Mario at the old Green Point Stadium. I have among my hundreds of albums a double CD somewhere of his songs and the favourites are too many to mention. And what’s weird is that I’m not even a huge follower of this genre of music, it’s Reggae and Dancehall right? This artist is one of those artists who can make hits either on their own or featuring other vocalists.
What must be said about Tomahawk Technique is that it’s as different as it is the same. Doesn’t make sense hey? Let’s just say if you’re a fan of the older sound you will not be disappointed with this “new” sound. I think he was clever and realised he needs reinvent his sound to a degree so the CD has some of that David Gueta / Black Eyed Peas type production going on backing his unique vocals. Many artists seem to be following trends with new sounds including the likes of Usher, Madonna, Chris Brown and Rihanna. Sean Paul has always been clever with his catchy chorus and nothing’s changed with this album.
The song receiving tons of radio play was one of the reasons why I wanted to review his CD and the first track features Alexis Jordan who brought us the hit Happiness. Thes song is called Got 2 Luv U (No I didn’t text that, that’s the name of the CD)
The stand-out tracks beside Got 2 Luv U are She doesn’t mind, Won’t stop (Turn me out), How deep is your love, Touch the sky and Dream Girl. How deep is your love features Kelly Rowland and Touch the sky features DJ Ammo. The song Won’t stop (Turn me out) caught my attention cos at first listen it sounds alot like Usher Raymond is with him on this track! It’s not, it’s Rico Love, and something you may or may not have known is that Rico is a friend of Usher’s and was in South Africa with him. I know, I saw the Twitter pics of them together when they were in Cape Town
Do you still remember Break It Off, Ever Blazin’, Get Busy, Gimme the Light, Hold My Hand, Like Glue, Never Gonna Be the Same, Press It Up , So Fine, Temperature and We Be Burnin’ amongst scores others?
So that’s Tomahawk Technique in my eyes, or ears actually He cleverly fused the new DJ sound with the Everblazin type tracks of yesteryear. I’m giving this CD away to someone following me on social media so best of luck. Dunno why I thought that to be a smart idea cos now I need to buy another one for me
If you would like to download this CD or individual tracks, click on http://lookandlisten.co.za/mp3/album/13818419/view/ :)
Baydu
Sean Paul’s CD is distributed through Gallo
So this is my first attempt at something I’ve always wanted to do for a very long time …CD REVIEWS!
And my first cd I’ve had a listen to is that of Estelle entitled “All of me”. Estelle is a West London lady born Estelle Fanta Swaray on the 18th of Jan in 1980.
You know those cd’s where you have like 12 songs but you skip 5 of them cos you don’t really like all the songs? Well, this cd is NOTHING like that!
It’s a disc you can have playing in your car and enjoy each and every track, without skipping any songs. It meanders between easy listening and those bob your head sing along beats and like most albums takes you on an emotional journey via music. If I was asked to mention my favourites I would struggle to answer you but the top tunes for me would have to be The Life, International, Cold Crush, Love the way we used to, Speak ya mind and Don’t break it.
Don’t break it is the track enjoying radio play at the moment and features another artist that’s also been to our shores, Rick Ross. Thank you is another track to look out for which sounds like it should be sung by Mary J Blige, one of her influences she openly admits. The track International (Serious) features Chris Brown and Trey Songz but for me as a Saffer there’s a part that gets my attention when the rapper mentions “Joburg and R3 milion” Another song that made me take note is the track called Speak ya mind and uses interpolations of Freak like me by Adina Howard from the 90’s.
There is one thing I don’t really like about this album but it’s not specific to this cd, I’m just not a fan of interludes in general and this cd has a few of those so I’ll be pressing the forward button when I start hearing discussions
There are 15 tracks on All of me and not one disappoints. I’ve also noticed a certain John Legends name appear on the back of the cd cover so that definitely is the reason behind this awesome sound.
I could’ve thrown stats and album sales at you but it’s not even necessary as everyone already knows about Estelle and her hits, awards and accolades. American Boy with Kanye West and Freak with Kardinal Offishall spring to mind.
All of me is released through Atlantic and Gallo and release dates are in Feb and March 2012 in UK and US.
So if you’re an Estelle fan or even if you’re not an Estelle fan, I think you should give it a listen then decide if you need to add it to your collection or itunes the track to enjoy this lady’s music
Happy listening and bobbing your head
Baydu
