JumpinJack AJ

R. KELLY + K. MICHELLE - Love Is Love Letter (2010) I strongly urge any R-N-B fan to listen to R. Kelly's new album. It's easily the best R-N-B album of 2010 in my opinion. Easily in the top 5 of R. Kelly's albums.

I'm surprised that this album hasn't been talked about since it came out this week. I waited to review it because I was pretty upset the first time I heard it. MJ was the 1st artist I ever called "my favroite artist" since my mom introduced me to his music before I really knew what music was. At the 1st listen I was just appalled that the songs are doctored and tweeked. They aren't nearly as bad as what they have done to 2Pac's music on the most latest releases, but you can tell. It doesn't have the feel that an MJ album typically has and some of the songs are not done in the fashion that MJ would have let them be released in. Since I have only heard 2 of these songs prior to their "Michael" treatment, I think it's safe to say that a few of them are probably 85-95% in their original form and that some of them are considerably altered. I still think the album artwork is over the top. I think it's an amazing piece of art but it doesn't belong on the front of the album. The insert has a few scribbled scan of MJ's notes which is a nice touch. A few of the songs have a short paragraph from the producer of the song. It makes you wonder how many of those producers were originally on board. On the back insert it says "This album contains 9 previously unreleased vocal tracks performed by Michael Jackson. These tracks were recently completed using music from the original vocal tracks and music created by the credited producers." Grrrrr..... "HOLD MY HAND" - This is the 1st single and the song that was leaked back in 2008. It is one of my favorite MJ songs. I just love it. The insert has Akon talking about how he created the song and brought it to MJ. He liked it so they recorded. He mentions that they were "devastated" by the internet leak because the song wasn't finished. Ultimately it's probably 85% in it's original form but I still love the original version more. This is slightly altered to fit in more with today's sound on the radio. "HOLLYWOOD TONIGHT" - This Teddy Riley produced joint was obviously done around 1991. You can tell in the song. I have a feeling it's only slightly altered because it sound so much like Dangerous as well as the way he sings. I thought the vocals at the end of the song were MJ's voice being distorted but it's actually Taryll Jackson (of 3T) which makes me think it's possible this song could actually have been done between '93-95. The sound is just too dated tho.' While this song is good, it's very "filler" to me. "KEEP YOUR HEAD UP" - This is one of the best songs ever written. It's a master piece. This is the THE reason for buying the album alone. MJ's vocals are pure and honest. There are some synths in this song that make me think the song has barely been touched since it's creation. I can see this song making pretty much every MJ mix I ever make for the car. The choir vocals, the positive message....it's just amazing. "(I LIKE) THE WAY YOU LOVE ME" - This song was on MJ: The Ultimate Collection back in 2004. The thing that is weird to me is that they open the song with a voicemail recording of MJ talking about the song and drums that he vocally beatboxes don't match the song at all...lol. But since he released this song while he was alive, he clearly changed his mind about the drums. But why would they include it if the song never ended up with those drums?!? The song is beautiful and very much like the original version. The changes that were made are totally appropriate tho' I miss some of the pianos from the original version. "MONSTER" - This one is a beast. I love it. MJ comes with these aggressive verses and then smooths things out with a layered chorus. I'm lovin' this. Orianthi (from This Is It) shows up on this song as well tho' her guitar is pretty buried in the mix. 50 Cent shows up for what is probably his best verse ever. He's actually vocally motivated and stretched himself. Not one of his lyrics is idiot either. When you hear this, you can hear what MJ had in mind along with a mixture of something to make this fit in with today's music scene. It doesn't take away from the song much. "BEST OF JOY" - One of the album's finest. I never was into "The King of Pop" title because MJ made music from the soul and his music mostly reflected that. Going into the later part of his career, this was going to be obvious (as Invincible started to show). This song represents. It's just a feel-good Spring time love song. The notes in the insert say that MJ would say melodies are ancient, up in Heaven, just waiting to be plucked. I can't think of a better way to describe this song. "BREAKING NEWS" - I have a feeling this one was done sometime around 1999ish. MJ comes with the same aggression that he often came with in his song that addressed the press and their fabricated stories that hurt his career since the 90's. "(I CAN'T MAKE IT) ANOTHER DAY" - This one is a little different. Part of me thinks this was originally done some where around the HIStory era (the feel and the vocals) and part of me thinks it's newer than that. Lenny Kravitz wrote the song, sang back-up, and played the guitar for this one. Traces of rock and Hip-Hop. It's a good song but to me, leans a little towards the filler side of his work. "BEHIND THE MASK" - This is also one of my lesser favorites on the album. I'm guessing this was done 1991/1992ish. The vocals actually take me back as early as 1988. The song can't seem to figure out if it's a dance song or a funk song. I can't feel this song enough to even get into the lyrics yet. "MUCH TOO SOON" - This song is beautiful and stripped down; the perfect way to end the album. All in all, I'm happy to hear music I would have never heard otherwise. But at the same time, I'd rather hear it in it's original form. Sure, mix it properly, master it, but don't doctor it. It's a painful reality that shows us that we will never get magical albums from MJ like we did when he was alive...except maybe of the one he recorded in Virginia in 2007. I hope the album does his career justice even tho' it's flawed. The single for "Hold My Hand" comes out in 2 weeks internationally and has an Orchestral version plus and Alternate Version alone with the instrumental. I'm praying that Alternate Version is the original mix that was on YouTube for a couple years. It'd only be right since we have already heard it in it's true form. I'm interested in what the rest of you MJ fans have to say after hearing the album.

This is pretty much the dumbest things I've ever read. They let a lot of graphic and explicit poison get played on the radio these days but they'll censor a name so as to not upset a few over dramatic sports fans. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ohio Radio Station Censors LeBron James From Jay-Z Song Cleveland fans do not easily forgive or forget. When Cavaliers star LeBron James announced that he'd be leaving Cleveland for the Miami Heat, Cav's fans were crushed. Now, a Cleveland radio station has made steps to banish Lebron's name from Cleveland airwaves forever. The line from Jay-Z's 2009 smash hit 'Empire State of Mind,' "[if] Jeezy's paying LeBron, I'm paying Dwayne Wade," has been censored to remove mention of the "traitor's" name on Cleveland's 96.5 KISS FM. KISS radio personality Joel "Java" Murphy explained that the edit was made out of concern for Cleveland fans. "I was playing the song and realized that the word 'Lebron' is as offensive to some people as the 'Seven Words You Can't Say on the Radio,'" Java said. "So, I suggested to our programming department that we should treat the name 'LeBron' similarly." While the Akron, Ohio native who promised to bring a national championship to his beleaguered city is no longer welcome on Cleveland's friendly airwaves, he did return to play a little ball recently, destroying his former team. "It was nothing personal for myself against the fans. It won't be, ever," LeBron said after the game. "I understand their frustration." The feeling does not appear to be mutual

He sure was hungry during that interview.... I've always shared the same mentality that he shares at the end of the video. Calling Nicki Minaj and Lil' Kim out for talking trash is funny. Between the 2 of them, they both have the most annoying voices out of all the females in Hip-Hop and Rap.

KATHARINE MCPHEE - It's Not Christmas Without You Christmas Is The Time TO Say I Love You (2010) One of my favorite Christmas albums of this year.

I mostly agree with all of this. I've said this again and again but I'm gonna say it again. In the mid-90's Dre straight up said gangsta rap was dead. He claimed he was gonna make real Hip-Hop music. But by the time Chronic 2001 came around, that was all dead and gone. We all know Dre is no gangsta. So why did he come out with an album where half the songs were phony" Half of those songs were dope. I'm not gonna lie. But the lyrics on half of those songs just made me roll my eye on some of the lyrics. He's older and he has a family. He's a west coast Hip-Hop legend. Songs like this don't represent that. When u are someone like Dr. Dre, u can make pretty much any kind of music u want and be successful. Look at Kanye. He's huge and he dropped that garbage 808 + Heartbreak album and it did well. I feel that if u are big enough that u don't even need 2 consider selling out or dumbing it down (if fame and money really is your only motivation) then why don't u make quality, timeless music that u can be proud of?!? Many artists do this and it's exactly why the music industry is an embarrassment.

When I read the 1st article this morning, I was happy 2 see talented Hip-Hop acts getting recognized. LL is the best. Beastie Boys are are one of a kind. They are both trailblazers and without the both of him, Hip-Hop may have never survived (real talk). I think it's ridiculous that they got overlooked. And who the heck is Tom Waits and Dr. John?!?! I've never even HEARD of them!!

MANDY MOORE - All Good Things Wild Hope (2007) I've never been into Disney movies that much but I saw Tangled last night and it was brilliant. Made me wanna hear some Mandy Moore...make fun of me if u want.

What's up, Johnny?! It's been way too long. U need 2 stop by here more often. A year ago I suggested that someone make a music video for JJ+FP's "Family Chritmas" song using 1989-1991 footage of JJ+FP mixed with scenes from holiday episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and thought u'd be the perfect one 2 do that. The most exciting news recently is that FP did a song with The Neptunes and The Game recently which means music will coming out at some point...regardless of how other will disagree with me.

Yeah, this is disappointing. The lyrics and subject matter are just tired. The beat is radio-ready mainstream stuff. I'm not saying it's bad...it's just nothing special about the song. This is one of Akon's weakest guest spots too.

50 Cent is such and immature douche. Why do people follow this guy? Here's the article I saw on AOL's Boombox... ----------------------------------------------------- Ja Rule Gets Two Years in Prison for Gun Possession The past is coming back to haunt Ja Rule. The 34-year-old spitter, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, plead guilty to a 2007 gun charge this morning in a New York City courtroom. The incident in question took place more than three years ago after the rapper's chauffeured Maybach was pulled over following a concert at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan. After smelling marijuana emanating from the whip, police found a loaded semiautomatic gun in the vehicle and charged him with gun possession. A judge later dismissed his statement to police that he had a "little bit of weed" on him. Originally, Ja Rule claimed that the stop was unjustified and questioned the use of a certain type of DNA analysis in the case. If convicted, the platinum-selling rapper faced up to four years in prison. By pleading guilty today, Ja Rule will only serve two years in prison when he is sentenced in February. Ja Rule's change of mind may have something to do with Lil Wayne's verdict on a similar gun possession charge earlier this year. Lil Wayne was also nabbed on criminal weapons possession following the 2007 concert. The two had performed earlier that evening during a rendition of the track 'Uh Oh,' after which the emcee was pulled over and arrested. Weezy ended up spending eight months in prison for the charges after pleading guilty, and was released last month.

I don't really see a double meaning to that. He sets up the line with the I Am Legend reference but I don't see how he'd have a double meaning 2 it.

Black Eyed Peas Member Suffers From Hearing Problem Mega-producer, some-time rapper and Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am [pictured with his bandmates on the far right] often hears ringing in his ears, but it's not from the music he and his Grammy-award-winning band make. Will.i.am suffers from tinnitus, or what's commonly called ringing in the ears. He's one of many musicians who has suffered from the condition. Eric Clapton, Moby and even Beethoven all suffered from tinnitus too. "I don't know what silence sounds like any more," will.i.am told the British tabloid, The Sun. "Music is the only thing which eases my pain. I can't be still. Work calms me down. I can't be quiet as that's when I notice the ringing in my ears. There's always a beep there every day, all day. Like now. I don't know exactly how long I've had this but it's gradually got worse." Dr. Maroun T. Semaan, associate director of otology, neurotology and balance disorders at University Hospitals, Case Medical Center in Ohio, says that there is no treatment for tinnitus, which can manifest as a hissing, ringing or buzzing sound. "Tinnitus is either subjective or objective. Subjective is more common -- that's when the examiner can't hear what the patient is experiencing," he told AOL Health. It's important to note that tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease in itself. "It's very common -- about 50 million people in the U.S. experience it," says Semaan. "Any ear disease can cause it. There could be hearing loss due to an infection or noise-induced hearing loss. Semaan says there's a reason so many in the music industry suffer from the condition. "Problems can occur when you listen to music at 85 to 90 decibels for a duration of eight hours [or more] and that can easily be achieved when you work in the music industry," he said. And since there's no treatment for ringing in the ears prevention has to start early on. "It's especially important because now teenagers are wearing iPods all day," he says. "It's hard to tell people to think about this when they aren't experiencing any problems, but there are things you can do to protect yourself. "There are musician ear plugs that do not affect the quality of the sound or music. Avoid loud music for long durations. Take a break from listening or working for one to two hours," Semaan suggests. A lot of people hear ringing but then it goes away (like after attending a rock concert) but some people experience a great deal of annoyance, and they will need help. "There's temporary tinnitus, which goes away and chronic tinnitus which is irreversible. We see this a lot in veterans, especially older vets since the hearing protection was not that good [years ago]." There are several things that will.i.am and other sufferers can do to find relief, says Semaan. "There's avoidance of coffee and nicotine, since stimulants can aggravate the problem. Taking a multivitamin can help," he says. "There are stress management techniques using biofeedback that help people pay less attention to the noises they are hearing. We employ masking techniques, such as listening to the radio at a low volume or wearing a hearing aid." So how can you know if you're at risk for tinnitus? Semaan has a simple rule you can follow when wearing headphones: "If the person sitting next to you can hear it, it's too loud. Keep it below 85-90 decibels. If you listen to music while exercising, take the headphones off when you're done and give your ears a break."

I'm not familiar with the show. This seem seems kinda random. I just like that he's involved with something music related. The 'Prince naturally blends in to whatever he takes part in.

I absolutely LOVE the intro to that song. They should have given that singer the entire song. Once the song actually starts it all changes. Puffy is alot better on this than some of the other more recent songs I've heard him on. The production is okay. But after hearing that singer do the intro, those girls singing the hook just sound weak. This song is good enough to make me wanna give the album a preview. CHRISTINA AGUILERA - Show Me How You Burlesque Burlesque Soundtrack (2010) Considering Christina dropped her weakest album, this soundtrack just in time to save her career at the moment. The sound track is EXCELLENT if u are in2 this kinda music. I'm seeing the movie this week.

Charlie Wilson is now on Jive. There's not a trace of The Neptunes anywhere on the album. I'm vibing to the album now. Here's a link with previews. http://www.amazon.com/Just-Charlie-Wilson/dp/B00470T06E/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1292190511&sr=1-1

I was just listening 2 this. I had no idea there was a video until just now. Anyone remember Willa Ford (from 2001) who had the song "I Wanna B Bad" with Royce The 5'9"? WILLA FORD - Santa Baby (Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie) TRL Christmas (2001) bigted 2014 edit:

Alot better... lol PUBLIC ENEMY - Give It Up Muse Sick In Hour Mess Age (1993)

Young Jeezy's Manager Denies Arrest Reports One of the week's biggest stories has been the arrest of Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy before a performance in the Bahamas on Dec. 4. Details have been scant, but both the show promoters and local police confirmed that Jeezy was detained without citing a specific reason for an arrest. Notably, that goes against what the rapper's camp is saying. His manager is claiming that all of the reports are completely fabricated. Jeezy's manager, Demetrius Ellerbee, got right to the point. "It's not true," he told MTV News last night -- a blatant contradiction to the events that the police department put forward to a Bahamian newspaper entitled The Tribune over the weekend. "He was here with us a short while. He passed through the station briefly on Saturday," explained Ashton Greenslade, an officer at the Wulff Road station, at the time. "He was booked in here and taken to CDU (Central Detective Unit)." Perhaps a case of mistaken identity or something bigger, all sides are remaining silent as to the specific reasoning behind the arrest and how long Jeezy was kept in custody if he was in fact booked. Since both sides claim an entirely different story, details as to the truth should emerge soon enough. An inquiry with the local police has not yielded a response as of press time. ------------------------------------------------------------------- My source says he was arrested for having an annoying voice, writing trash lyrics, and making wack music. Why couldn't Young Jeezy just make a statement himself?

Salt-N-Pepa doesn't have an official website. Their Myspace and Facebook pages are often not too informative. You can check Ticketmaster or this legit fansite... http://salt-n-pepa.org/ They'll be in Buffalo on February 5th. In the past I noticed that NY got some of the best line-ups. When I was on Ticketmaster I think I saw the line-up listed whereas my Baltimore show wasn't showing the rest of the line up. My tickets were $66. I paid the higher price which is why I'm right in front of the stage. It's likely they'll have staggered pricing for the venue. The tickets just went on sale so I'd suggest getting them NOW to guarantee the best seating.

In February Salt-N-Pepa and The Legends of Hip-Hop are touring a good bit in 2011 and I just got tickets to their February 19 show!!! I didn't say who was coming with them, but based on the shows they've done in the past year or 2, it's been a mixture of Kid N' Play, Naughty By Nature, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, MC Lyte, Whodini, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, and/or Kurtis Blow. I'm so hyped to see a real Hip-Hop show with a dope line up. I got the e-mail and was like "I really wanna see this but I should be spending this much money on tickets right now....let's see what seats I'd get." When I checked it out, the seats were FRONT AND CENTER so I knew I had to grab them. For the SNP fans, their new song "Big Girls," the remix, and "She's Killin' Me" are on Amazon and iTunes.

CHARLIE WILSON - You Are Just Charlie (2010) His new album is dope! Both his and Ronald Isley's are pretty flawless. R-N-B/Soul at it's best by the legends....period.

It goes beyond Hip-Hop. I've read many articles over the years and it seems to be an ongoing problems. I think it ultimately comes down to 2 things. They make a lot of money which gives them crazy taxes and/or they hire people to overlook too many parts of their business and they go unaware when someone isn't doing their job.

I agree with both of u 100%.

After Bow Wow's last album, I was kinda done giving him chances. He just started working with more and more wack artists and producers. I think I only liked 2 or 3 songs off his last album even tho' he has the kind of voice and flow to outshine everyone who's getting mainstream success at the time the album dropped. It's sad to hear how fame messed up his upbringing. It's very similar to the kinda stuff MJ used to say (tho' Bow Wow's upbringing wasn't as strict as MJ's). At the bottom of the article they had his new video, which is on YouTube. The song is actually really good. It reminds of Nelly's current hit. Good rap, non-hardcore subject matter over a slick, mainstream radio-ready beat. ----------------------------------------------------------- Bow Wow Explains His Suicidal Thoughts Posted Dec 8th 2010 8:00PM by Latifah Muhammad Bow Wow is breaking down why he chooses to use his Twitter page as a public diary, where he has vocalized his thoughts of suicide. In an interview with Angie Ange on Washington D.C. radio station 93.9, the Cash Money rapper explained his feelings, likening himself to the main character in the film 'Richie Rich,' a wealthy child who wants nothing more than to be like everyone else. "It's similar with me, it's the same story, all I know is the business," he explained. "I ain't had time to go and play football and do none of the regular stuff. At times, it haunts you because of course you're going to be unbalanced." "I'm unbalanced because I only seen one side of life," he continued. "I ain't seen the other side. It's not by choice, it's just how it is. Some days I wake up and I do want to just fit in sometimes. I didn't mean it [the tweet] like I wanted kill myself, it's like, 'Yo, I wonder, like, when will I get peace?" I guess when I'll get it, is when I'm dead." Ironically, not long before tweeting about dying, Bow advised his followers not to use Twitter as a personal diary. This isn't the first time that the 23-year-old's tweets have made the news. Earlier this year, he refuted claims that he used the social networking site to solicit a woman for oral sex, which he later denied. In the midst of all the tweeting, Bow is prepping the release of his Cash Money Records debut, 'Underrated.' The album's single 'Ain't Thinkin' 'Bout You' features Chris Brown and just received the music video treatment. Look out for 'Underrated' in 2011.