JumpinJack AJ

Yeah, it seems like artists and companies are flying over 2 Koch Records. But i dont know why. They put out albums and that's it...no promotion. Montell Jordan's came out with one video that got some play on BET but gain no real success. There waz a promo vinyl single released and that waz it. Deathrow's 2Pac remix album and live album came out with no videos, singles, etc. Now Boyz II Men, one of the most respected groups of all time come out with no video or singles. Hopefully they get on the ball. It's nice 2 have creative freedom, but it's no good if people don't hear your music.

Da 'Prince and tha Queen need 2 stop proving their are born 2 reign and just rock the freakin' mic!! :roll: Hopefully FP dosen't try 2 get on her album singing...Jazzy Jeff on the acoustic guitar...

I love DMX, but his Bloodline label seems like crap. I've heard some of his artists when he 1st formed it and they were just average on the mic with nothing good 2 say in their music.

AOL's First Listen is featuring 2 new Queen Latifah trax. I thought her last album, 1998's "Order In The Court," had it's "Born To Reign" moments where she experimented with some different things...but these 2 trax take the cake. When she said she wazn't rapping on her next album...she actually meant NO HIP-HOP. There's not a dash of Hip-Hop on the trax i heard. Here's what AOL had 2 say... "For today only, AOL is hosting the WORLD premiere of two new songs from Queen Latifah. The actor/spokeswoman/singer is dipping into music's roots for covers of 'California Dreamin'' and 'Baby Get Lost' from her Sept. album, her first since 1998. " The 1st song is "California Dreamin.'" It's this acoustic pop soul song. I guess India Arie is the closet thing u could compare 2 the sound....except India Arie's music is really really good. Latifah's voice is beautiful and the song isn't bad...but it's just not right. The 2nd track is "Baby Get Lost"...this is the track that killed me. This sounded like something that belonged on the Chicago soundtrack. Totally like 30's sounding stuff. WHY WHY WHY!!!! Since i love Latifah, i just may get this album in September, but i'll probably be crying. I just don't see how u can make a song as fly as the one on the Bringing Down The House soundtrack, and then do a gritty Flava Unit album, guest spot on Naughty By Nature's 2002 album and then go this far from your roots. AOL had this picture of her lookin' all glamorous with long straight hair, siphisticated suit showing cleavage, holding a silver microphone and a backdrop that looked like an 80's music video. I guess we can at least look forward 2 her movie Taxi. Sure, it also features the incredibly untalented and unfunny Jimmy Fallen, but Latifah is hilarious in it and she plays a character much like herself. AOL's polls for the songs said that 57% of the people "Loved them," 32 percent "liked them," and 11% "hated them." Then i checked the AOL message board on them and most people were saying they were "HOT" but people peeping out AOL's 1st listen aren't exactly Hip-Hop central on the web. There were a few people asking why she would do this.

Yeah, i think it's important 2 support these established artists. They are older and have better things (and higher quality music) 2 offer people. It seems that the business is designed 2 ignore them and support new artists, many who don't have any talent or heart. I liked Jodeci alot. Their last album disappointed me here and there but they defintly were one of the best male R-N-B groups of the 90's. Their comeback album waz supposed 2 come out around 2000/2001 but it never did. They had 2 new songs on K-Ci + Jo Jo's "X" album but there waz no news of them on their last, 2002, album. Boyz II Men's new album is very good...however, some of the tracks lack the magic that u'd expect from them. Still a good album, i just hope a new album comes out in a year or 2. R. KELLY's new one is pretty good. The 1st part of it, "HAPPY PEOPLE" is what i'd like 2 call "grown folks weekend soul." Young people with non-mainstream taste will like it, but it's probably 2 advanced 4 your average young radio listener. Just feel good music R-N-B soul. If u like songs like "Step In The Name of Love"...u'll love this album. That's kinda the whole vibe of "Happy People." I like it myself, but i won't always be in the mood 4 it. Kinda makes me want the days of "Bump + Grind, Your Body's Callin,' U Remind Me of Something, I Can't Sleep, Down Low, Half On A Baby." If Marvin Gaye waz young and making music these days, some of it would be kinda like this. The 2nd part "U SAVED ME" is an inspirational gospel album. It has a modern R-N-B feel mixed with a dash of Kirk Franklin's gospel sound. God, Prayer, and self improvment are all over the album. Very uplifting stuff that people of all ages need 2 hear. This half of the album is much better lyrically and musically. This album will speak 2 people who don't wanna hear it. Tho' i know Kelly is a spiritual man, i kinda thought that this disc may be a plan 2 make him look a lil' better with this scandel going 2 court. There have been rumors of him doing a gospel album for about 5 years and a handful of gospel songs he's done over the years, but i waz kinda skeptical. However, when i heard it, i knew this man waz 4 real. Since i got the 2Pac live album the other week (which i already said would only be worth getting 4 die-hard fans), i waz reminded how much i love his music so i went out and got the re-release of Gang Related. I've never seen this movie (along with Bullet) so i'm finally gonna check it out. It features a "Making-Of..." featurette 4 those who care. I got mine at Circuit City which had it in a bin of Buy 1, Get 1 Free so i dug thru' it and also found Jada's movie Jason's Lyric which i've always wanted 2 see so i got that as well. Tho' i'm not Mase's biggest fan (some of u may remember how much i hated him), i still wanna listen 2 his album in stores sincea he's changed up his game. If anyone likes him and gets it, let me know how it is.

No, this is New Edition...Ronnie, Ricky, Mike, Ralph, and Johnny. BBD dropped an album in late 2001 but nobody got it. It's actually very good and they planned on releasing another shortly after. However, since it didn't make much noize, they never really got started on it. NE waz supposed 2 drop this new album in 2002 but with Bobby not working with them and legal issues, they never got it fully put 2gether. They also wanted 2 put out a movie and tour 2 go with it marking their 20 years in the game. 2 hold us NE fan over, they put out a "Hits" album last year mixing their old stuff with the 3 big hits off Home Again. It waz kinda strange having all that old stuff right next 2 their stuff from 1996...and they left off a few big old skool hits.

2 me, all of those unathorized 2Pac documentaries are made strictly for 2Pac fans...otherwise, they are crap. As a 2Pac fan, i know they suck, but those moments with him speaking (unless he's really high and/or drunk) are usually very introspective. Thug Angel is the best unathorized 2Pac documentary. The others are just 4 his true fans. Nobody else would be able 2 bare watching them the whole way thru'....ha ha.

I'm listening 2 it right now. I'm kinda disappointed. A full studio album would be so much better than an album of covers. Nate, Shawn, and Wanya are the only ones in the group now. I knew Mike had health problems but i didn't know they were serious 2 keep him from recording. The guys don't mention him in the Thank You's tho'...but it's hard 4 me 2 imagin these guys who are like brothers having serious creative differences. His voice is definitly missed in the harmonizing and those monologs he did on some of their music. They aren't on Arista anymore (since Arista's doors have closed). They are now on the indy label that keeps growing KOCH Records (which distributes Montell Jordan, Deathrow products, and so on). So they now have total control of their music. Anyways, it's all about the music, so here's my review. LET IT WHIP - bad song choice in my opinion...especially 2 open the album. Akward funk track that has a weak retro-feel. The Dazz Band originally recorded this track. LET'S STAY TOGETHER - Ahh...the Al Green classic. Great song, however, the percussion in the song is a bit 2 much. The akward synthisizers also get on my nerves. P-Nutt from A Touch of Jazz produced this one with the Boyz. Decent cover of the song tho.' WHAT YOU WON'T DO FOR LOVE - Another good cover choice originally by Bobby Caldwell. This one offers something new that the original dosen't...a rap from MC Lyte. The fondation of the beat is good, but there a instrument in their that takes away from the song. P-Nutt from ATOJ also produced this one with them. CUTIE PIE - This is a bad cover choice. This track originally by One Way is just way 2 retro-faux. Boyz II Men just shouldn't do funk trax....it's just not their thing. D-Nutt from ATOJ produced this track and Jazzy Jeff actually programmed some of the drums on it. CLOSE THE DOOR - Great choice...classic song from the one and only Teddy Pendergrass!! I think Montell Jordan's cover of it in 1994 waz better, but this is the 1st track that is solid thru' and thru.' P-Nutt produces this track also. The legendary Larry Gold dose strings 4 this one. FOR THE LOVE OF YOU - Perfect cover choice!! Isley Brothers classic!! Probably my fav song by them. Refreshing summer breezy feel. P-Nutt dose another good one with them. SARA SMILE - I'm not familiar with this Hall & Oates song...but i LOVE THIS SONG. The drums and guitars are amazing. Strings by Larry Gold underscore it all. I think the fact that i didn't know the original song helps me appriciate this song 4 everything it is by BIIM. Incredible song!!! P-Nutt produces this track. HUMAN NATURE - BIIM doing a Michael Jackson song...sounds good 2 me. This is a very acoustic version of it. TIME WILL REVEAL - Classic DeBarge song. This one takes it back 2 BIIM's roots and they handel this one acappella. If only Mike waz there filling up the harmonizing. Someone is doing bass on it...but i'm guessing it's one of the Boyz. WHERE IS MIKE!?!?!?!?!?!? I MISS YOU - Timeless acoustic vibe. I really like this one...the song is beautiful. I'm not familiar with the original version by Klymaxx so i can appriciate it 4 everything their version is. Chorus is familiar, but that's it. YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW - BIIM doing The Stylistics...i knew this one would be good from the beginning. I wish there waz just a lil' more thrown in2 the produciton but it's a good song all around. Other than the akward funk-vibed trax, the album is a good solid album that older peeps will love (probably) and it's a great way 2 introduce some classics 2 a younger audience. This album is for the true BIIM fans, but not 4 mainstream audiences...tho' 2/3rds of the album would make good singles. Hopefully they'll keep working with ATOJ on their future projects. If they can do a lil' over half of the album which is made up of cover songs...a full studio album would be great.

Tim said that Jeff told him about it but that FP hasn't checked it out yet (at least at that point a few weeks ago).

Unless they do a full fleged JJ+FP album, i doubt we'll see any stuff not tagged "Will Smith." Playing with your name (like Prince or Puffy) tends 2 get on people's nerves. FP could do it if he wanted, but it wouldn't be right unless he waz gonna go out all the way.

Boyz II Men's new album "Throwback" comes out 2day. Jazzy Jeff said a few months ago that A Touch of Jazz waz working on it. I don't think the album has had any promotion so i just found it out waz coming 2day. Be sure 2 go out and support that guys. BIIM always comes out with quality so it's definitly a good buy...especially if u get it on sale at Circuit City ($9.99) or Target ($11.98)

Brand spankin' new!! Bobby Brown isn't particpating in this new album tho.' I don't know why, his career is pretty dead and this would breathe new life in2 it. Since the last NE reunion, his solo album flopped, Whitney's album flopped (which he had a cameo on and produced the 1st single which generated no success), and he waz last heard on that easily 4gettable Ja-Rule track.

I'm getting 2Pac 4ever sometime. I heard is waz your average unathorized 2Pac documentary...but i mostly want it 4 the rare interview footage of Left Eye.

The new Boyz II Men album "Throwback" is dropping 2day. Remember Jeff said A Touch of Jazz waz working on the album. R. Kelly's "Happy People / U Saved Me" double album also drops 2day. And 4 those who care, Mase's "Welcome Back" comes out 2. All of them are $9.99 at Circuit City. Gang Related gets re-released on DVD as well...featuring 2Pac.

New Edition is just amazing 2 me. I love them guys. I almost saw them the summer of 1997 but it never happened. I enjoyed all their stuff when they took off in seperate directions (simply cuz they were grown) but i knew their old stuff 2. Classic kiddie 80's R-N-B. Since i had really gotten 2 know all of them better with their solo album and BBD's projects, their 1996 reunion waz a huge event for me. I think i listened 2 that album on a regular basis 4 an entire year. The album did well, it waz the tour that got lukewarm reiviews. There waz all kinds of tension that Bobby Brown basically put on the group...and Keith Sweat didn't like opening 4 them cuz it made him feel like an opening act instead of a co-headliner. Not 2 mention the usual tabloid trash Bobby brings and Ronnie DeVoe being accused of being loud and drunk at a hotel on tour...ha ha...which he did radio interviews quickly 2 clear things up. It seems like that had the MJ thing going on where people don't look much at the music and they look at everything else. The tour itself sounded good from what i heard from people who saw it. Some people knocked NE for their simple dance moves that were similar 2 the stuff the Temptations did...but that waz their style since they were young. I'll be the 1st one thru' the door 2 get their new album but their 1st single makes me worried that their album will be average and not on the level of Home Again. The song is good, it's just kinda lightweight...especially compared 2 "Hit Me Off." Oh yeah, some of u will remember when Bell Biv DeVoe waz on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air shooting the video for their song "Gangsta."

Sales don't mean much 2 an artist...and FP is an artist. If the album dosen't do 2 well, i can see why that would persuade him 2 hang up the mic...but he also seems 2 stubborn and determined 2 let that happen. When i said i didn't mind if he dropped another Born To Reign, i meant musically. Sure, it wazn't exactly what i wanted...but who am i 2 tell FP what 2 do. He did his own thing and he did what he wanted 2 do...that's an artists. People like Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Eminem tend 2 give fans what they want. Nothing is wrong with that, but why surpress your artistic abilities (if u have any) just 2 make people happy and not be yourself in your music.

I just saw the video on BET. Anyone else heard the song or saw the video? I like it alot, however, by this one single, it dosen't look as good as the stuff on 1996's "Home Again"...not 2 mention no Bobby Brown. The video waz nice but had that late-90's flashy feel which is kinda played out. I'm scared Bad Boy may have altetered their image and sound...let's hope not.

Oppps!!! I meant Thug Immortal. Sorry about that. Thug Immortal isn't as good as Thug Angel...but worth getting at that price for any 2Pac fan.

[quote=lambertj3,Aug 23 2004, 08:32 AM]i disagree that the average gangsta rapper dosen't exist but i do love this album GO 213![/quote] When r u gonna realize that real gangstas don't rap?!? Just cuz u go 2 jail dosen't mean u are a gangsta. Just cuz u have a gun dosen't mean u are a gangsta...it just means u are a coward. Anyone who is over serious about being this thugged out hardcore gangsta is a phoney. Back to 213. The track "Another Summer" is amazing. It's a produced by Kanye West. The song is pretty amazing. It's mentioned on the sticker on the front of the album so hopefully it'll be a single (even tho' Summertime is pretty much up).

THANX!! Sorry 4 doubting u.

I know there are some 2Pac fans in here. For those of u who wanted 2 see the 1997 documentary Thug Angel, K-Mart has it in their electronic section for $4.99. I got the VHS when it 1st came out. For big 2Pac fans, u'll find it interesting...4 others, don't bother. It's an hour and half of mostly interviews from Bay area people from the Hip-Hop scene but it also has some Suge interviews AND some bonus footage of 2pac here and there. For those of u who like the early Deathrow era, they also have a DVD called Welcome To Deathrow that features the inside story about Deathrow Records came 2 be. At times it's a lil' slow, but it's interesting hearing the story from the mouths of former artists and the people behind it. It has lots footage of the artists working behind the scenes. It's also priced at $4.99. I only got half way thru' cuz mine started skipping (going 2 exchange it 2morrow).

I've seen him spin. He's just laidback and in his own world 4 the most part. I wish i could have watched him longer than 2 hours or so.

I've never doubted them and even if FP's new album isn't any better than Born To Reign, i'll still be happy.

The album has dropped and these guy will remind that G-funk is still relevant and easily seperate themselves from your average "gangsta rappers"...especially since they dont' really exist anymore. Anyways, as a straight Hip-Hop fan, i like this album alot. My only ?uestion is why Warren G didn't produce anything on the album. Nearly every beat is dope and their chemistry is perfect but i think Warren G could have made the album a lil' more solid. Here's a kinda-old MTV.com article on them. ---- Snoop's 213 Get Wrong Number While Doing Things The Hard Way 05.11.2004 213's Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G Photo: MTV News "All of us coming together and putting our projects on the back burner to make this happen is only going to enlighten our solo careers." — Snoop Dogg NEW YORK — It's been long understood that Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G wanted to come together and represent for their Long Beach 'hood in a West Coast supergroup called 213. But it's been so long since they first talked about it that Long Beach no longer has that area code. Such telecommunication barriers have not put the project on hold. The three showed up in New York on Monday to make everything official and announce the July 20 release of the debut 213 album, The Hard Way. Though this will be the first album released under the 213 name, the three hip-hop heavyweights formed the crew when they were young pups growing up in Southern California — before producer Dr. Dre discovered Snoop and birthed the G-Funk era. "[We] started in like the late '80s, early '90s, just around the neighborhood putting it down," Warren G explained. "I was on the turntables, Snoop was rappin', Nate was singin'. We kept striving and striving and striving." The three have been recording songs for 213 over the past year. They originally were scheduled to release the album on Geffen Records, but the trio recently struck a deal with TVT Records. Snoop sees the 213 project as a chance for the group to bring West Coast hip-hop back to the masses. "Music right now is missing a sound like this," he said. "All of us coming together and putting our projects on the back burner to make this happen is only going to enlighten our solo careers. And it's fun to do because we're homeboys and always dreamed of it. So why wait till we're 37 or 50 years old and no one wants to hear us anymore? Why not do it when we in our prime?" The group did use West Coast producers like Battlecat but also people like Kanye West and DJ Hi-Tek, both of whom hail from the Midwest. Warren G did not produce any of the songs on the album, he said, because he wanted to concentrate on his rhymes. Maybe 213 are taking a cue from the success of 50 Cent and G-Unit, because the name of the first single from The Hard Way is "Groupy Luv." G-Unit have a song on their Beg for Mercy called "Groupie Love." Snoop explained the concept behind the single. "We're trying to find groupie love. That means beautiful girls who want to become video stars aspiring to do something with their careers. We can give you that upliftment. We can get you in the video." When asked if 213 would tour, Nate Dogg deadpanned, "How else do you think we'll get groupie love?" The members then explained, more seriously, that they plan on mounting a small tour starting June 11 that'll see them doing a medley of solo hits and new 213 songs. —Joseph Patel

[quote=Da Brakes,Aug 20 2004, 11:16 PM]Y would G Unit go looking for new talent at Soundclick![/quote] Cuz they don't have any of their own.