Archive | January, 2008
TWO of the world’s biggest music divas will be heading to Australia this year on the back of their latest album releases.
Mariah Carey, who has racked up 17 number-one hits in the US alone and has sold more than 150 million CDs and DVDs worldwide, is preparing to release her album That Chick in April.
Meanwhile, the release of the Janet Jackson album Discipline is imminent.
“We definitely want to get them out here at some point during the year,” says a rep from their US record label who flew to Australia to unveil five tracks from each album.
Insider had a private preview of tracks from bothalbums – two of the year’s most anticipated releases.
Jackson’s first single from her 10th studio album is Feedback, a cracking pop track. Another, Tonight, is up-tempo dance, so think Rihanna’s Don’t Stop The Music.
Others include the pumping Rock With You and the curiously titled The Greatest Ex.
Carey’s sound is more polished than Jackson’s, and there’s no doubt her album will get plenty of radio and television airplay.
Timing is everything in this game, so Carey is yet to set an exact date for the release. The expected drop in April will be around the time Madonna’s latest album is due.
Although Carey’s lyrics leave little to the imagination, there’s no denying she has an amazing voice.
Stand-out tunes include Love You Long Time, Touch My Body and I’m That Chick That You Want.
Source: The Sunday Telegraph | Text: Mariah Connection Australia
Stargate’s producer Mikkel Storleer Eriksen talks about “That Chick”.Eriksen who worked with Mariah on “That Chick” in New York, says he’s fascinated by Mariah as she’s an incredible artist and a funny woman.
According to Mikkel, the album will be a hit and he was only able to talk and reveal some details to the Norwegian publication last Friday, as the label is very protective to avoid leaks.
Both tracks Stargate produced on Mariah’s album are very Stargate-esque with addition sounds like we are used to hear by Mariah.
It’s a “feel good” impression to be with Mariah, she’s a hard worker and a famous vocalist, we worked from late at night to the early hours with a few glasses of champagne, says Eiksen.
Source:Â Adressa | Translation: Heroes of Mariah
Mariah’s “Greatest Hits” collection climbs four places to No.30 on the Official UK R&B Albums Chart.
Source: Mariah Connection UK
A CHART battle is looming for Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson . Jackson will release her new album Discipline, on Feb 26, Carey’s long player, tentatively titled I’m that chick is due on April 1.
And judging by new tracks previewed at a Melbourne listening session last week, Mimi will blitz.
Carey beats, lyrics, and vocal delivery are superior. Mimi’s new songs are about love, lust, being played and her breakdown – or her “breakthrough” as Carey describes it.
Touch my body, shortlisted as the first single, hints at a new celebrity must have – a sex tape. “If there’s a camera up in here then I’d best not catch this flick on YouTube” Carey warns. “If you run your mouth and brag about this secret rendezvous I will hunt you down.”
Collaborating producers include Jermaine Dupri, Polow Da Don, Stargate, Danja, Tricky Sterwart and The Dream.
By comparison, the new Janet is geared to the clubs.
With Timbaland’s succesful electro experiments, US urban is moving towards chunkier beats and house.
Yet Jackson’s new tunes fail to repeat past glories. Her dance tracks are overproduced, the ballads are banal.”My body’s here, it’s soaking wet, I wanna give you something you won’t forget”, Janet sings on Tonight. “Ain’t you curious, don’t you wanna know, how deep my love can go? Don’t resist the fight, do it all night.”
Source: The Herald Sun | Text: Mariah Connection Australia
Sina Entertainment, a Chinese news site, reveals the following information:
Spring 2008 will mark dual western music releases for Carey and Janet Jackson.
In order to prevent the outflow of sound files, Island Def Jam president Matt Voss personally came to Taiwan yesterday (24 Jan, 2007), two days after the media preview, to preview new songs. Those attending the event found that it was mandatory for phones to be switched off. An alternative new songs policy was also put into action so that it could be immediately identified from what region any potential leak originated from.
Translation: Mariah Connection International
You can now purchase the “Adventures of Mimi” tour footage from the iTunes UK store:
[Purchase Now]
You can purchase the whole concert for £7.99 or each individual performance video for £1.29.
Source: Mariah Connection UK
THE Back Room had an exclusive preview of the this year’s tag-team diva albums by Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey.
Jackson’s album Discipline, to be released on February 26, comes on the back of dwindling album sales.
Her previous album, 2006’s 20Y.O, sold 12,000 copies in Britain.
Jackson left Virgin to sign with Universal last year.
As her boyfriend Jermaine Dupri concentrated on Carey’s album, record-company chief LA Reid steered Discipline.
Most of the album has been produced by Darkchild and Ne-Yo.
The five tracks The Back Room heard suggest Jackson’s people have discovered dance music.
Tonight is a carnal club jam, written by Ne-Yo and produced by Stargate, which recalls Rihanna’s Don’t Stop the Music.
Jackson’s back in bedroom mode with lyrics such as “I like control so let me ride” and “I’m soaking wet.”
Rock With You, another track influenced by the dance floor, was rumoured to become a duet with brother Michael. Considering Janet is singing “our bodies are as one . . . shadows dancing on the wall” let’s hope that’s just a rumour. Otherwise a duet would be as creepy as seeing Michael in the morning.
The Back Room didn’t get to hear the title track, in which Jackson apologises to her “daddy” for “touching herself” and sings “I can smell you on my sheets, Daddy I disobeyed you, now come punish me . . . I’ve been bad, make me cry. . .”
The highlight was Greatest Ex, which starts as a typical ballad before some `70s synths and Purple Rain-style drama. It could be Janet’s own We Belong Together.
Meanwhile, Carey’s album is tentatively titled That Chick. The first single hits radio next week, and is expected to be Touch My Body. The track has a sweet soul groove similar to her hit Loverbody.
In it she sings, “If there’s a camera up in here then I best not catch this flick on YouTube” and “let me wrap my thighs around your waist.”
Lovin’ You Long Time has what sounds like a `70s soul sample and Thanx For Nothing is your standard Mariah ballad, with fast-vocals ala We Belong Together.
OOC is one of the more interesting tracks, with a percussive Bollywood feel. The title stands for Out of Control, the album’s original title.
I’m That Chick You Like has a pounding beat and thumping bass, with Carey cutting out the middle man to go straight to the remix.
The album is out on April 1.
Source: The Herald Sun | Text: Mariah Connection Australia
Superstar Janet Jackson (41) and Mariah Carey (37) have announced plans to release new albums. BILD was in London to hear some of the new songs!
The Universal record company boss himself, L.A Reid (he made Avril Lavigne and Pink world stars), presented tracks, at London’s Mayfair Theatre, from Janet Jackson’s album “Discipline” and Mariah Carey’s “That Chick”. The songs have powerful hit potential – provided no clash of divas erupts!
Janet Jackson moved last year after nearly 15 years with Virgin Music to Universal. Mariah Carey has been with Universal since 2002. L.A Reid helped Mariah Carey, after several failures, with the 2005 album “The Emancipation of Mimi” to a successful comeback. Even Janet Jackson could use his help. None of her recent albums have come near to the success of earlier albums like “Janet” (1993) and “All For You” (2001).
Is L.A Reid under pressure?
LA Reid told BILD.de: “No, the whole thing makes it fun for me! I would prefer to release both albums on the same day, but both artists will of course not allow that! ”
Janet Jackson’s album “Discipline” is scheduled for release at the end of February, while Mariah Careys “That Chick” is expected for April.
BILD.de gives their opinion of the songs after first listen
Mariah Carey relies on hip-hop sounds and callaboration with artists such as T-Pain (“Migrate”) and Damien Marley ( “Cruise Control”). “Lovin’ You Long Time” and “For The Record” are to good to the ear. “That Chick,” “Touch My Body” and “Thanx For Nothin’” have hit potential. And “Bye Bye” shows a very personal side of Carey.
Conclusion: Beyoncé, Rihanna and Co. need to be alert this year. Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey are the offering real competition with their new albums & could really make things difficult for them. But is the danger that they will steal the show from each other?
In responce, LA Reid says: “They are both icons and famous. They are not standing in each others way & a little competition has never harmed anyone!”
BILD.de will soon be exclusively presenting, to listen, songs by the two stars!
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Article in German:
Superstars Janet Jackson (41) und Mariah Carey (37) haben für dieses Jahr die Veröffentlichung ihrer neuen Alben angekündigt. BILD.de hat in London in die ersten neuen Songs reingehört!
Der Plattenfirmenchef höchstpersönlich, L.A. Reid von Universal (er machte Avril Lavigne und Pink zu Weltstars), spielte im Londoner Mayfair Theatre die Titel aus Janet Jacksons Album „Discipline“ und aus Mariah Careys „That Chick“ vor. Die Songs haben mächtig Hit-Potential – wenn da mal kein Kampf der Diven ausbricht!
Janet Jackson wechselte letztes Jahr nach fast 15 Jahren bei Virgin Music zu Universal. Mariah Carey ist schon seit 2002 bei dem Label. L.A. Reid verhalf Mariah Carey nach mehreren Misserfolgen mit dem Album „The Emancipation of Mimi“ 2005 zum erfolgreichen Comeback. Auch Janet Jackson könnte seine Hilfe gebrauchen. Keines ihrer letzten Alben hat es geschafft, an die Erfolge ihrer Alben wie „janet.“ (1993) und „All For You“ (2001) anzuknüpfen. Fühlt Reid sich unter Druck gesetzt?
L.A. Reid zu BILD.de: „Nein, das Ganze macht mir Spaß! Ich würde am liebsten beide Alben am selben Tag herausbringen, aber das werden die Künstlerinnen natürlich nicht erlauben!“
Janet Jacksons Album „Discipline“ ist für Ende Februar angesetzt, Mariah Careys „That Chick“ für April.
Und wie hören sich die Songs an? Mit Liedern wie „Feedback“, „Tonight“ und „Rock With You“ hat Janet es auf die Tanzfans abgesehen – richtig starke Nummern! „Love, Love, Love“ und „This Can’t Be Good“ sind sanfte Liebeslieder, „Discipline“ klingt supersexy. Wer Janet Jackson mal stöhnen hören möchte, sollte das Ende nicht verpassen…
Mariah Carey setzt auf HipHop-Sounds und Kollegen wie T-Pain („Migrate“) und Damien Marley („Cruise Control“). „Lovin’ You Long Time“ und „For The Record“ sind echte Ohrwürmer. „That Chick“, „Touch My Body“ und „Thanx For Nothin’“ haben Hit-Potential. Und „Bye Bye“ zeigt eine sehr persönliche Seite von Carey.
Fazit: Beyoncé, Rihanna und Co. müssen sich dieses Jahr warm anziehen. Janet Jackson und Mariah Carey werden es dem Nachwuchs mit diesen neuen Alben richtig schwer machen. Doch besteht die Gefahr, dass sie sich gegenseitig die Show stehlen?
Plattenchef L.A. Reid: „Sie sind beide Ikonen und weltberühmt. Sie werden sich nicht gegenseitig im Weg stehen. Und ein bisschen Konkurrenz hat noch keinem geschadet!“
BILD.de wird Ihnen demnächst die Songs von beiden Stars exklusiv zum Reinhören präsentieren!
Mariah’s “Greatest Hits” collection climbs one place to No.34 on the Official UK R&B Albums Chart.
Source: Mariah Connection UK
So, Def Jam were showing off the two female jewels in their crown today with playbacks of the new Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey albums.
Label Boss Antonio “LA” Reid seemed very excited about both of them, although that is his job, and mentioned plans for six singles from Mariah’s That Chick, which hits the stores in April.
First up, though, was Janet’s Discipline. If you’ve heard the single, Feedback, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the album. It’s crisp, danceable R&B lavished with Janet’s trademark velvet harmonies.
The stand-out track was probably Tonight, a bubbling club track which can only be Jackson´s response to Rihanna’s Don’t Stop The Music. Reid mentioned that some of the tracks weren’t finished – and this one sounded like it was missing a sample somewhere in the mix. Once that´s added, this could be Janet’s biggest dance success since Together Again.
Love, Love, Love and This Can’t Be Good saw the lyrical return of the sweet singer who first raised her head on Let’s Wait Awhile – all coy and bashful while falling head over heels in love.
But the sleazy siren of 20 YO is also present. Title track Discipline is a gruseome plea for fetishistic S&M sex – with Janet referring to her lover as “Daddy” while asking to be tied up and disciplined. Given that her father is a well-documented control freak who used to beat his kids, this is more than a little uncomfortable.
Speaking of family connections, there’s long been a rumour that Janet and Michael will team up again (as they did on 1996´s Scream) this year. Well, nothing I heard today confirms that rumour – but there is a track called Rock With You that appears to sample the single of the same name from Off The Wall. Could the finished version feature guest vocals by the former King of Pop? I genuinely hope not.
The remaining two tracks, Rollercoaster and Greatest Ex Ever, didn’t really set my world alight – but you never know what´ll happen on repeated listens.
The main thing seems to be that Janet is back on form, vocally and lyrically. The record is very safe and commercial, although I´m not sure where they´ll go for the third single (Tonight surely has to be the second). But as a first step towards career rehabilitation Def Jam have made a strong play for their newest diva.
Their old diva (in terms of contract, not age, of course) is Mariah, who is riding high after the 7xPlatinum-selling Emancipation Of Mimi.
We got to hear 10 tracks from the follow-up, That Chick, which I have to say sounded more polished and commercial than Janet´s effort.
One track in particular is set to make big bucks, and that´s “Bye Bye” – a torch song for people “who lost they grandmothers”. I guarantee that Simon Cowell will be sick of hearing badly-realised auditions of it by the end of the year.
Lyrics were never Carey´s strong point, mind you, so her paean to loss is summed up with not-very-insightful Hallmark platitudes like “I´d give the world to see your face” and “Life goes on”. Profound, eh?
Still, at least it´s better than when she desperately attempts to prove how bang up to date she is. In “Touch My Body”, she purrs to her lover: “If there’s a camera up in here then I best not catch this flick on youtube (youtube)”. Not exactly the sexiest boudoir come-on you’ve ever heard, is it?
But there are plenty of good tunes to counter the awesomely bad lyrics. “Migrate”, about a night out with Mariah while she wears jeans (“yeah, they fit”, she informs us) is sure to be a candidate for heavy MTV rotation, although I hope to god they excise T-Pain’s hopelessly strained vocals. “Lovin’ You Long Time”, meanwhile, is a strutting uptempo number very much in the style of “It’s Like That”.
So, what have we learnt from this listening “event”? Well, I wasn’t overwhelmed by the music – despite (or perhaps because of) the fact it was played so ear-splittingly loud that it felt like I was being punched repeatedly in the ears by a cyberman. Both artists have turned in a tuneful, competent set of R&B songs, but I’m not sure that any of them have the charisma or vitality to compete with the Rihannas and Beyonces of this world.
Both albums: 6/10 (scores may go up or down after further listens at levels tolerable to the human ear).
Source: Disco Pop UK
Sunday, January 27, 2008
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