JumpinJack AJ

KIRK FRANKLIN - Brokenhearted Hero (2005)

I didn't catch the beginning....but i saw most of it. The show had some good moments and some boring moments (as usual). I didn't see any sign of JJ+FP. I didn't read any news or see any pix of them either. Mary J. Blige, Lionel Ritchie, Smokey Robinson, and Christina Aguilera were great. Chris Brown did more dancing then singing. I'm sure he's capable of more than that. Justin Timberlake did alright...but i think the winner of that contest shined more than he did. I don't think i liked any of the winners. All those people who won over MJB...puh-leeze. Ludacris over Lupe Fiasco and The Roots...embarassing. And if i see the Dixie Chicks on TV anymore this month, i'll go insane.

NATASHA BEDINGFIELD - We're All Mad Unwritten (2005)

They were playing a GL song on the radio yesterday...which reminded me yet again what a talent we lost. I'd known about him since 1991, but i was a HUGE fan ever since '93 when i got the Levert album For Real Tho.'

I'm pretty sure they say "Chickenhead" in there somewhere...that cracks me up everytime.

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT - Wag Your Tail Amoung The Trees (2005)

Smith Stays Upbeat With 'Lost And Found' If it's something new and fresh you seek in the hip hop genre, look no further. Will Smith has just the thing to put a spring in your step. "Lost and Found," Smith's latest album, is a refreshing change from the expected negative redundancy that seems to be plaguing hip hop artists nationwide. Listeners will be hard pressed to find any bad vibes from Smith on this disc, which is a rarity for those who play the rap game. Instead, we are treated to catchy tunes, such as "If U Can't Dance (Slide)" which easily conjures a grin with lyrics like, "Rule No. 4, out on the floor / don't be doing moves that don't nobody do no more / draw too much attention to be adventurous out on the floor / There's a reason that don't nobody do 'em no more." From time to time, Smith does hop on and off his soap box, addressing religious oppression in "Ms. Holy Roller" or touching on societal issues in "Tell Me Why," including lyrics such as, "Why is the bomb always getting the last word / and why did her uncle have to molest her / and why did all them cops have to be shootin' to kill / and why did all them priests have to act so ill?" But he never stays on long enough to kill the upbeat tone found throughout the album. "Lost and Found" is as charming and entertaining as the Prince himself, and a welcome breath of fresh air.

In a World Exclusive Interview, Michael Jackson Talks About His New Life in Vegas and His Comeback Posted Feb 5th 2007 7:06PM by Robin Leach Michael Jackson's long-awaited return to 'King of Pop' status has begun and it's being masterminded by the mysterious, secretive British entertainment tycoon who is behind the phenomenal success of Simon Cowell's ratings juggernaut 'American Idol' and David Beckham's $250-mega-million deal that is bringing the soccer king to the United States. I can exclusively reveal that megastar producer-manager, Simon Fuller, has held top-secret strategy planning meetings in Vegas with Michael and Emmy award-winning director-choreographer, Kenny Ortega, who has created two of Michael's previous smash, sell-out world tours. By the way, Kenny won his first Director's Guild of America award on Sunday for outstanding achievement with his 'High School Musical' production for Disney. They invited me to join their dinner in a private room behind the watchful eyes of 2 security guards at Steve Wynn's Wing Lei Chinese restaurant at the mogul's Wynn resort hotel and casino. It's Michael's fourth visit to the Epicurean Award-winning restaurant since moving to Vegas, ending his 18-month self-imposed exile from the US, living in Dubai and at Michael Flatley's castle in Ireland. Ironically, Michael who normally shuns cameras, was undetected just 100 feet away from the 200-strong media mob reporting on Paula Abdul's 'Woman of the Year' award and star-studded attendees. A bit later when I told Simon Cowell, who was also in Vegas for Paula's award, that his partner was just around the corner, he laughed and said, "Doing another one of his world-shaking mega-deals, I suppose." As manager to international soccer-star David Beckham, Fuller, the extraordinary deal-maker, won him a five year $250-million contract -- the largest sports pay-package in history – to move with his 'Posh Spice' wife, Victoria Beckham, to Beverly Hills and play for the L.A. Galaxy Major League Soccer team. Incidentally that was Beckham, with Martha Stewart and LL Cool J, in one of the high-priced $2.5 million Superbowl ads on Sunday -- another coup for Simon Fuller launching Beckham's bid for American stardom. Michael, who was looking well, relaxed and very happy told me, "I'm doing fine and am well and really enjoying myself in Vegas. It's a great place to call home." His handshake and voice were strong and firm. On Michael's pending Vegas show and return to pop royalty, Kenny added, "We're talking business and looking at lots of different possibilities. This is a blue-sky time with a lot of different scenarios up in the air. We're working through all of them to find the best – the one that makes the most sense that's good for everybody." I was reliably told that if anybody could transform Michael into a box-office megastar all over again, it would be entertainment mogul Simon Fuller, "This is the perfect match: the world's biggest pop-star being looked after by the most successful mogul-manager in the world." Fuller is often confused with Simon Cowell -- particularly as they are close friends and so intertwined with 'American Idol's' non-stop soaring success including #1 ratings in 21 different countries. Fuller though, is the brains behind its $1-billion haul from advertising, merchandise and music. He is said to have earned $60-million personally in 2003 alone and that's a figure that grows annually. In addition, he promotes and manages such 'American Idol' stars as Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken in addition to being the longtime manager of Annie Lennox and the now solo careers of Emma 'Baby Spice' Bunton and Mrs. Beckham. There's an incredibly unique tie-in with another Vegas connection for Michael. Fuller (seen here with Kenny and Michael) divides his time between London, Los Angeles, and the French Riviera, and is also said to have numerous growing investments in Lake Las Vegas real estate ventures with Cowell. But it's the megadeal he struck with American billionaire, Robert F X Sillerman, that's worth noting in all of this. Fuller's 19 Entertainment was purchased a year ago by Sillerman for a whopping $190 million and Fuller wound up a director of Sillerman's CKx and still running the 19 group. CKx is partnered with Cirque du Soleil in an upcoming Elvis Presley-themed show, planned for MGM's City Center. Sillerman, who owns licensing and merchandising rights to numerous celebrities and their estates, exploits the Presley estate with authority by both Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley who were in Vegas this weekend celebrating the King of Rock's daughter's 39th birthday! Gossip historians know that at one time, Michael and Lisa Marie were a tabloid headline romance item during their marriage! As an added Vegas twist, Sillerman bought a 20percent stake in the Broadway version of Mel Brook's 'The Producers' which is opening a Vegas version of the musical with David Hasselhoff. It's easy to see that all of Michael's current financial asset entanglements could be unraveled and made whole by the Sillerman-Fuller brain-trust as super Svengalis – and then relaunch his career bigger and better than ever before. First stop though for Michael, who will celebrate his 49th birthday on August 29 this year -- the same birth date as mine coincidentally -- is Japan. He'll fly from Vegas next month for two fan-appreciation events on March 8 and 9. Says Michael, "Japan is one of my favorite places in the world and I am very grateful to my fans there who have always been my strongest supporters and have helped me achieve several historic milestones in my life." Some 300 VIPs, paying over $3300 each, will hold a meet and greet handshake photo-session with Michael on day one with general fans massing for a get-together on day two. Michael, who last performed a concert in Madison Square Garden back in 2001, is not expected to perform while in Japan, although he has created charity fund-raising records and TV specials with large groups of other pop stars in the interim. Although he's had more than 12 #1 chart hits, the last was in 1995 and he hasn't toured since the mid- 1990s. He remembered that the last time he and I had met was over breakfast as guests of Donald Trump at his Atlantic City Trump Plaza hotel. But this visit together was not the time or the place to discuss his self-imposed 18-month exile after the Santa Barbara acquittal of child molestation charges in 2005. Michael lived for a while in the oil-rich nation of Bahrain before moving onto Ireland as a longtime guest in the sprawling castle of 'Lord of the Dance' creator Michael Flatley. Michael returned to the States six weeks ago on Christmas Eve, as Luxe Life reported here back on December 24. He moved into a home on the west side of Vegas near Sahara and within easy reach of the Strip. In addition to a long dinner with Steve Wynn, which resulted in speculation about a possible Jackson show there, Michael's also met several times with Vegas deal-maker Jack Wishna who said:, "Michael is poised to return to the top of the entertainment world soon. He is one of the greatest all-time entertainers in the world." Wishna is the businessman who engineered Trump's Vegas debut with the $2.8 billion Trump International Hotel Tower, which is nearing completion on the Strip near the New Frontier hotel across from Steve Wynn's resort hotel casino. MAGIC MAN Michael was happy to discuss how he's been spending some of his first month in Vegas. He told me he enjoyed taking his children to see Lance Burton's magic show at the Monte Carlo. "I really love magic," he said. "I really liked his show. It's amazing and very enjoyable. I love getting caught up in the magic." Protected by his own security and Monte Carlo security, Michael went in through a back security entrance rather than cause a scene with fans and sat in the lower mezzanine unnoticed in front of the sound booth – and just as the show was ending, he took off so the audience wouldn't be distracted from Lance's curtain calls. Michael has only given one quick telephone interview since returning to Vegas although he did speak at the Atlanta funeral of the late soul singer James Brown. He confirmed officially to me a funny interview story about the Associated Press reporter covering the 'King of Pop's' return to the United States to live. The rules were that the reporter could not disclose his Vegas residency and was allowed only one question. When the AP reporter asked how Michael was and he answered that he was fine, that was considered the one question!! So for me, it was an honor to be invited into the inner sanctum. I found Michael relaxed and confident -- happy that the troubled past was getting put all behind him and happy that he's begun rebuilding his career again. "It's a whole new Michael here in Vegas," I was told. " He feels comfortable here. He loves being able to go out and basically not get hassled. He likes the restaurants here for the food but his favorites are the shows. I think he'll get to see every one of them over the next few months. It's the first time in a long time Michael is feeling less pressured and much at ease. He is ready to go to work again and is in a great space and a wonderful sense of mind." To celebrate, this weekend Michael was out and about again -- enjoying The Beatles LOVE musical at the Mirage. After the late show, he visited the LOVE boutique to pick out some Beatles show souvenirs – and surprisingly even happily posed with fans for photos with his ever-watchful security agreeing to relax the normal rules for his safety. Then he went backstage to meet the cast and crew of the show congratulating them on their performances and thanking them for the spectacular show. "They were in awe of him and he the same about all of them. He was very respectful and told them it was an incredible experience that he'd remember forever. I think he's going to bring his children into see it next," one of the company staffers told me. For now though, the only public outing of his three children has been a visit to the Circus Circus where they were spotted on a visit to the hotel's attractions here on the Strip. Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II, also known by nickname Blanket, didn't even bother with disguises when they went on the amusement rides there -- naturally under the watchful eye of their nanny and Michael's team of bodyguards along with the Circus Circus security staffers. KEEP THE BOOGIE ALRIGHT Michael's friendship and professional relationship with director and choreographer Kenny Ortega dates back many years, and once again they are teaming up. "Be it a concert tour or a show staged from Vegas they'll tackle it together," said a friend. "They have complete trust in one another so it will be their project going forward." The Emmy-winning 30-year career choreographer was responsible for the hit 'Dirty Dancing,' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' and 'St. Elmo's Fire' movies. He also staged over his 20-year tour career world concerts for Michael, Barbra Streisand, Cher, The Pointer Sisters, KISS and Diana Ross. His choreography on Madonna's 'Material Girl' movie also won him awards. Currently Kenny, who created the live Sirens outdoor show spectacle at the Treasure Island, is in the early stages of a secret project being created for Steve Wynn's resort here and Luxe Life is sworn to secrecy! He will helm the follow-up sequel to 'High School Musical' being filmed in Utah this Spring. MICHAEL'S COMEBACK SPECIAL With the triple-threat team in place for Michael's return, he's already started work on a new album. Some of the tracks have already been recorded at Flatley's Irish castle with the help of will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. Don't be surprised if Michael and will are spotted when BEP plays the Orleans Arena during NBA All-Star weekend to work out the best way to finish the tracks they've selected to go with. Says will, "I'm a real fan of his. You get to work with just a couple of great people during your life who shed light on the Earth and Michael is one of them." Michael, Simon and Kenny happily posed for our Luxe Life photos. I told them all that everybody was eagerly awaiting Michael's return to the limelight and that Vegas was delighted he now called our city his new home. " Its all going to be good, very good" said Michael, and Kenny added: "We're going to get it done and when it is you'll know it'll be the right way working out for the best for everybody involved."

I've don't remember MJ talking about FP. But i know i have an old TV Guide where MJ talked about some of the collaborations and FP waz one of the people he mentioned.

I could see a surprise performance...but at the same time. The Grammys never really have any surprises. If they do, it's who wins or what an artist does. Tribute and such are usually known about ahead of time. The MTV Video Awards are the show that usually hits the viewer with more surprises.

P!NK - U + Ur Hand I'm Not Dead (2006) Uh oh....this has 60-some pages...Brakes about 2 close this thread soon...ha ha.

All that info is dated. Years a go, me and Hector from the Funk B's used 2 talk alot online, which is where i got alot of my inside info from. He's the one who told me how Interscope wouldn't promote the 2nd album "You Gotta Believe" which is why Mark backed outta music. When they were doing their overseas for that tour, they didn't even have a full band...ha ha. It's true that Mark had a recording contract YEARS after dropping albums in the US and overseas, but by now, i wouldn't be surprised if done now. The Funky Bunch reunited around 2000ish to do another album or 2 on the underground scene. The trax were actually pretty good, but since then their site went down and i lost connections with Hector. All that garbage about the Funk B's being there 2 give Mark 'street cred' is garbage. Those fellas were all best friends and they all still keep in touch. And i don't agree with Turntable on that whole money thing. Emcees do acting cuz it's their passion...but only sell-outs and artists who don't have a real love for Hip-Hop would do that for the money. FP, LL, Mos Def, 2Pac have all kept albums coming out. Queen Latifah and Nick Cannon have albums 'waiting.' Kid has been recording for the last 4 years. Between the late 90's and early 2000's, Mark had recorded about 5 albums worth of stuff that he didn't really plan 2 release. I think the love is there but that the politics of the entertainment industry just get in the way. Like Tim said, the movie industry doesn't really respect Hip-Hop. Then the artists are kept in this chokehold thinking their music won't be respected cuz of their movies. FP needs 2 sign all the old school artists and Hollywook emcees that can't get their stuff straight and release their music thru' Overbrook....cuz he knows what he's doing.

CORINNE BAILEY RAE - Emeraldine (self-titled - Delux Edition) (2006/2007) Lover her vibe...and it waz worth getting this new version of the album.

Yeah, she was definitly a troubled person. I knew of back in the day when Arsenio Hall was having hilarious interviews with her on his show. I don't really follow Playboy, or modeling, and i couldn't bring myself 2 watch her show...but my prayers go out 2 her baby daughter and family.

Ha...yeah. I'm a big fan of his music. He did everything from the club related mainstream stuff 2 the gritty street stuff. Some people clown him for the commerical success he got and the fact that his brother was in the New Kids, but he has always been one of my favorite emcees. Back then, he was one of the few struggling to be taken seriously as a white guy in Hip-Hop...just after Vanilla Ice messed it up for everybody. His 1st album did great, but when he dropped his second album, the record label began fighting him and they just stopped promoting his music (we are talking about Interscope here). He told the group 2 persue their own thing since they label wazn't pushing that album, and that's when he started focusing on movies. Overseas he dropped a few good singles and a full album with reggae artist Prince Ital Joe (who is best known in the US for his vocals on 2Pac's "Hail Mary"...he died in a car accident a few years ago). The only problem with some of those singles (no offense oversea'ers) is that the Europe club scene had 2 much presence in the music. He also did 2 really good trax for the Fear soundtrack which waz never released (u can hear the songs in the movie). Back 2 the FP-releated stuff...in 1998, while he waz doing The Big Hit (my fav movie right under Bad Boys), he was approached 2 do a song for the soundtrack. He said that as long as it didn't have 2 be tied in2 the movie like FP's "Men In Black," he would do it. The track is called "Don't Sleep" and it's dope. Totally late 90's Hip-Hop. During the 2000ish area he claimed 2 be writing and recording, but that after the late 90's...all his music waz basically just for himself...not 2 be released. I guess these days, he just wants 2 stay safe, be a family man, and keep taking it 2 the bank with the movie. But there will always be a tight following that want the music. What dose the movie industry do 2 emcees that make them wanna put their 1st love on the back burner?!? FP, Latifah, Kid, Play, etc.

Marky Mark (aka Mark Wahlberg) waz on Leno 2nite talking about his Oscar nomination for The Departed. I'm type up the highlights of the interview for those who are interested. He talked about how his Oscar nomination was the only time he called his parents with good news...making fun how many times he had 2 call them from jail. When Leno asked him about how he put his character 2gether for The Departed, he talked about pulling from his experiences growing, being the youngest kid in his crew, selling drugs, robbing people, assulting people, and so on landing him in jail 20-some times. While at the Oscar nominee lunchon, he ran in2 one of the cops that arrested him back in Boston years ago and how he's now one of Beyonce's bodyguards...ha ha. And how he stayed in touch with some of the good cops who were on his side who actually cared enough 2 help him clean his act up. He talked about during the time he was doing his thing with the Funky Bunch was when he started getting his life right. He talked about taking his career 2 the next level by avoiding his music career back in the day and that 2 this day, he tries not 2 listen 2 Hip-Hop cuz when he does, he starts 2 get in the mood 2 do another album (which would explain the singles he released overseas throughout the 90's without dropping another album. He went on to talk about his show Entourage and how it is based off his own early days in the entertainment industry. He wrapped things up saying that they plan on doing a sequel 2 The Departed and how he loves his family life. He talks about his young son growing up and how he simply can tell his daughter "no." Anyways, on 2 the FP releated part. He talked about during his 1st movie, how the director of it waz also the director of most of his music videos and how he suggested he start acting. He said that the very same director worked with Fresh Prince and 2Pac back in the day and told the 2 of them that they should consider acting. It's kinda crazy that the same guy told the 3 of them (the 3 biggest Hip-Hop actors during the 90's) that they needed 2 follow that path. FP waz of course at the Oscar lunchon with MM...i wonder if they talked music...

MARKY MARK + THE FUNKY BUNCH - I Run Rhymes You Gotta Believe (1992) "Stayin' focused, one destination try 2 stop me, i'll bash your face in please don't feel that u can forsake me that's a mistake B, u can't break me"

*Those punk rock guys that have the hair cuts where their hair is plastered 2 the side and back of their head (usually brushed forward over their ears) and then the top spiked and going every which way. Those guys should be ran over by cars regularly. *People who are not smart enough 2 see everything my way...okay, that one waz a joke :sorry:

YO!!! It's rockthehouse!!! It's good 2 see u back, man!! It takes a Jazzy Jeff album 2 get u 2 come outta the shadows...ha ha. I'm hoping 2 have a CD promo of the album in no longer than a week.

The movie made another $17 2nite...i saw it again with a friend. And there were 3 other people in the theater...so it's still generating an interest (even tho' i saw a really late showing). I have a feeling it's leaving my local movie theater 2morrow...so i had 2 see it again 2nite.

The 'extended' version can by found on the US release of the "Freakin' It" CD single. It's not labeled as the extended version tho'. I think it's like 30 seconds longer with tons of scratching from Jazzy Jeff wrapping the track up properly.

HaPPY B-DaY!!

BRIAN MCKNIGHT - Over And Over Again Gold (2007) Expect a post about this album from all the B.McKnight fans on the board soon.

I waz just listening 2 the full (extended) version of thi song day. I can't help but flow along with this song...it's just flawless from start 2 finish. The beat, the scratches, FP's raps. Classic. But why is this post on the off-topic board?!?

I feel u. I don't understand how someone could just be given a verse or a song. Especially coming from someone like J-Kwon who is just wack. Back in the day when i used 2 write alot, there were a few songs i did with friends around and they'd give me a line once in awhile and that waz cool just cuz they were on the same vibe i waz and we were just chillin' and creating something 2gether. On top of that, it waz just the comedy-based songs which are just for fun anyways. But a whole song...no way.