MH MATTRESS MUSIC: ALBUM REVIEW

Marques Houston – Mattress Music | Album Review by Tolu Akisanya
Read at Soul Culture

29 year old R&B singer/actor Marques Houston recently released his fifth solo effort, Mattress Music. The album is exactly what it says on the ‘tin’; a project for “serenading”, with tracks like ‘Explosion’, ‘Noize’, ‘Waterfall’ and ‘Made a Mess’… you get the drift.

Mattress Music miraculously is just a 3-man producing/writing crew; Marques Houston, Eric Cire and Chris Stokes, his team from when he released his first solo effort ‘MH’, back in 2003, and actually works pretty well for them all. However, I believe, if Marques was be more willing to work with different producers and writers, he could easily produce an album that help him achieve global/mainstream recognition and put him in the ranks with Trey Songz and Ne-Yo.

The track ‘Explosion’ is pretty basic and didn’t fully capture me on first listen, with lyrics like “lick lick lick lick lick lick lick lick lick lick you all over” you get a taste of what I mean [pun intended].



The album tries too hard to be the effortless ‘baby-making/slow-jam’ genre of music as previous albums. However, as I got further into the album, I couldn’t figure out if I was still listening to MH or if my iPod had somehow jumped to a Trey Songz single. MH seems to have developed the deep lip-pout, deep-voice, style of singing [that’s my technical term for it] that Trey does so well. It even goes as far as ‘Kicking & Screaming’ sounding like a sample of Trey Songz ‘LOL Smiley Face’ – by this point I’m fully confused.

‘Mess’ may be the most explicit track on the album; hearing it made me spit out my morning coffee. Not exactly appropriate for 8am on a Tuesday morning. While there are strong songs on the album, there are a few tracks to avoid such as ‘Swag Sex’ feat Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em.

Although not my favourite album from Mr. Houston, I do not think this album will adversely hurt career, however nor will it launch him into international stardom.

Memorieeeessss....

NELLY 5.0 : ALBUM REVIEW

Nelly – 5.0 | Album Review by Tolu Akisanya
Read at Soul Culture

The sixth studio album by Nelly, 5.0 is probably not as strong as his debut album but is still very much enjoyable. Featuring the likes of Chris Brown, Plies, T.I., T-Pain and Akon, the album begins with Nelly once again claiming to be ‘No. 1’ – but after being away from the music scene for so long, and not having conjured up a number one hit single for several years, I find it a bit over-confident and a little delusional for him to still be trying to hold on to this title.

However, Nelly’s collaborations on the album won’t do him any harm; he reunites with Diddy on ‘1000 stacks’ and again with Kelly Rowland on ‘Gone’, which revisits the magical collaboration that worked so well with ‘Dilemma’ back in 2002. The track uses all the key elements that made the last track a hit, and does not fail. This track could easily be a chart-topper.



‘Move That Body’ could have easily been the best track on the album, however 30 seconds into it and it becomes a concoction of melodies and beats, as it tries too hard to be a club track. For me, I think that there is way too much going on here. This combination of T-Pain and Akon, who feature on the track, should have been a club dream. But sadly it fails. Similarly ‘Broke’ is not a strong track and should perhaps be avoided if possible. The track is very immature and even reflects in the production and lyrics; It took all my strength not to skip the track when Sophie Green sang “I don’t want no broke ni**rs, no, no”. It’s woeful!!!

‘Liv Tonight’, with Keri Hilson, is a super dance track, that took even me by surprise with its European dance style; sounding more like it was re-mixed for the ‘Ministry of Sound’ compilation CD, or on the Venga Boys album, instead of being produced/inspired by Will.i.Am (the pioneer of hip Hop/dance mix). A part of me feels uncomfortable that this track even features on the album, however I found that I couldn’t stop myself from bobbing my head the sound of the beat.

At 36, Nelly seems to have almost lost a part of him during the years, he will never be the same artist who once captured our hearts with his playful charm that got us hooked with ‘Country Grammar’ or trying to pulling our clothes off (not literally) with ‘Hott in Herre’, The album brings us a slightly older, maybe wiser Nelly, but at times I felt a little lost and that maybe Nelly can’t decide to be a grown up or to fall back to what is safe and re-claim former glory…

You decide... But whilst you do that, here's some good old Nelly...





one more...

CHINGY SUCCESS & FAILURE : ALBUM REVIEW

Chingy – Success & Failure | Album Review by Tolu Akisanya
Read at Soul Culture

Success & Failure is the fifth studio album from the St. Louis rapper Chingy, since his debut album and hit single, “Right Thurr”, which helped put him on the musical map. Chingy has since, however, been M.I.A. His last few albums seemed to pass the music industry unscathed.

Although billed as an album, Chingy claims that Success & Failure is in fact a ‘mixtape’; a throw-together of old tracks, a taster, I guess, of what is to come. If that’s the case then be sure to be incredibly disappointed.

With this new album, I wasn’t sure if Chingy was hoping to reclaim his status as a feel-good, club-track, pop-rap artist, prove his critics and “haters” wrong about his talent or pocket some extra change since being dropped from his label, either way, I think he failed.

After listening to the first track (after the intro) I was not impressed. After so many years away from the music scene, it sounded as though Chingy hasn’t made any musical growth since his debut album. As an older artist – Chingy turned 30 earlier this year – I expected something different from him, a new direction, an insight into his ‘what makes Chingy’, but instead got exactly where we left him.

“Iced out”, featuring 8ball, is an accolade to all the jewels, girls and money he has – a track I would have expected from the likes of 20-year-old Soulja Boy, a or back during the ‘ringtone’ era of rap music. Rapping about cars, jewels and girls is a bit immature for someone who has been in the game for as long as he has.

“Thurr Dey Go”, “Git It Boy” “All I Know”, continues in equal manner; the combination of trumpets, easy beats, over use of rrr’s, and southern slang become tiresome… even repetitive. The music game has changed so much, that it is impossible for Chingy to even consider competing against modern artists such as Drake, Rick Ross, T.I. and Nicki Minaj.



The rest of the album suffers from predictability, is unimaginative, and unoriginal, as he tries to recapture the young rap audience that has moved on to other gimmicky acts, such as Flo-Rida and T-Pain.

“Anythang” may just be the best track on the entire album – that says a lot – all in all, the album is a major let down, from a former Chingy fan. die-hard fans will be pleased Chingy stayed ‘safe’ and stuck with what he knew, but five albums deep into the game, this is just not good enough.

Soooo... *cough cough* Here's so good old Chingy for nostalga sakes :)

DONELL JONES LYRICS : ALBUM REVIEW

Donell Jones – Lyrics | Album Review by Tolu Akisanya
Read at Soul Culture

Hearing that the prince of R&B, Donell Jones had released a new album, conjured up an array of emotions, that ranged from thrilled to nostalgia… and may have even created an impromptu sing-song session of his past hits; you can’t help but be taken back to classics such as ‘In The Hood’ ‘Where I Wanna Be’ and ‘You Know What’s Up’.

When listening to Donell Jones’ new album Lyrics, one of the first things you hear, is the self-titled statement of being the “rebirth of Hip Hop & R&B” …now, on listening to entire album this maybe a far cry from the truth.

Lyrics is Donell’s sixth studio album, which he wrote and produced mostly by himself, and is consistent with his previous albums; romantic and sexual circumstances and situations coupled with smooth vocals, XXX melodies and soft beats.

Some of the tracks on the album may have sat well during the turn of the millennium (late nineties to early ’00s), however 10 to 15 years later his sound is all too familiar, and dare I say it, a little dated – and may struggle to compete against the likes of Trey Songz, Chris Brown and the younger talent producing music for today’s market.

For his loyal fan base, the album gives you a sample of his musical greatness and a taste of how R&B used to be, back in its golden ages. One of my instant favourites, ‘All About Sex’, is reminiscent of the Donell we know and love, and is actually a romantic ballad, no just about sex, but admiration to the one who is mentally and physically in-tune with you, even re-hashing up the word ‘tenderoni’.

Tracks ‘What’s Next’ and ‘Can You Burn’, goes a little too far with ‘trying to keep up with the times’, sounding more like home-made European dance mixes, inspired by ’80s pop. Very different from what we are used to hearing from Donell Jones – obviously taking influence from the influx of R&B stars dipping their musical toes in to the ‘dance’ genre to expand their audience. These tracks remain ‘unclassified’ with my emotions.

Although I was a little disappointed with this album, a part of me will never always remember the great music he brought us and what he did for R&B - and hopeful he’ll bring that to us once again.

*SABS' MUSIC REVIEW*

This is a music review by my girl Sabs.

She is an aspiring Music Publicist and more importantly... a consumer of UK music. 

Read her thoughts on the hottest albums on the block at the moment - What better insight could you get, than from a consumer... to a consumer, get me! LOL

Think I might make this a new section... hmm... yes. yes, i think i will!

ANY feedback is well appreciated. Thanks people.

---

Right people here goes my first post on my blog… and its all about music today…

I am advising you all to go to HMV and purchase these three must have amazing albums NOW!!!

Bashy – Catch Me If You Can

This album is what I call versatile and has a lot of different sounds and mixes of music genre’s. It is definitely not a typical rap/mc album and I would NOT class it under the genre of grime.

If your into deep meaningful lyrics with a twist of hype and fun, then this is an album for you.

15 tracks and 2 additional bonus tracks including new release ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’, ‘Kidulthood 2 Adulthood’, and the famous classic ‘Black Boys’.

Also featured on the album is the amazing track Ransom which has a mini film produced (see below)

Donaeo – Party Hard

All I can say if you like to ‘Party Hard’ then this is definitely an album for you. Classified in HMV under the genre of ‘Dance’, which I do have to say (when I first pumped the album) I completely agreed.

As always, Donaeo has continued to share his raw talent with us through the music he both writes and produces, and has compiled an amazingly unique album that is a 'must have' for your music collection. A mix between RnB, Funky House, and Broken Beatz this album consists of 13 tracks with favorites such as ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’, ‘I’, ‘Party Hard’ and yes, oh yes … ‘African Warrior’ !!!

Check out the official music video for Devil in a Blue Dress … enjoy.

and finally...

Skepta – Microphone Champion

The MD of ‘Boy Better Know’ (BBK, if you didn't know) has done it again.

Album no 2 and it is amazing!!! If your into your UK Rap/Grime then believe you will love this.

I was actually surprised when I first listened to this album, because it was actually better than I had expected, not that I expected anything bad but I just never considered myself to me a big fan of "grime" to be honest.

BUT… the album is fresh faced, meaningful, fun and hype which is a good combination to have to draw your listeners in.

Most of the tracks on the album are telling stories that most people can relate to.

The race starts with a simple but straight to the point track named ‘Reflecting’ whereby Skepta tells us how it is and what he is about… basically reflecting his movements and how he feels (best start to an album ever) no chorus, no corny melodies, just straight talking lyrics. Well done skeps!

The album features collaborations with Giggs (Talking the Hardest), Jay Sean, Tinchy Stryder 

and the rest of the BBK family.

18 tracks on the album including ‘Rolex Sweep’, ‘Sunglasses At Night’ and the well known club anthem ‘Too Many Men’!!!

Listen out for track no.11 'Disguise', which is a sample of the famous Transformers cartoon soundtrack but instead of it being about robots its about Transvestites lol lol lol … go buy the album NOW !!!

Oh, look... another video for you! BBK ‘Too Many Men’.

Sabrina Sarpong

Check her out and 'Follow' her on twitter.com/ssarpong