Pop songstress Natasha Bedingfield released her U.S. sophomore album, "Pocketful of Sunshine", on 22^nd January via Epic/Sony. The set was preceded by the Ryan "Alias" Tedder produced "Love Like This" featuring Sean Kingston, which was initially offered to Geffen recording artist Mary J. Blige.

Other musicians backing Bedingfield on "Pocketful of Sunshine" include Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson), Nate "Danja" Hills (Katharine McPhee, Nelly Furtado), Dernst Emile (Rihanna, Wynter Gordon), Cristyle Johnson (Jennifer Lopez, Esmee Denters), Johnathan "J.R." Rotem (Robyn Janelle, Lyrica Anderson), John Shanks (Alanis Morrisette, Michelle Branch), Toby Gad (Fergie, The Veronicas), Steve Kipner (Kelly Rowland, Delta Goodrem), Mike Elizondo (Fiona Apple, Gwen Stefani) and Greg Kurstin (Jessica Simpson, Kylie Minogue).

Excellent:

• All You Wanted: written by Michelle Branch / produced by John Shanks.
• Everything: co-written by Michelle Branch / produced by John Shanks.

Very Good:

• Drop in The Ocean: co-written by Jennifer Hagio / produced by John Shanks.
• Goodbye to You: written by Michelle Branch / produced by John Shanks.
• Here with Me: co-written by Michelle Branch / produced by John Shanks.
• If Only She Knew: written by Michelle Branch / produced by John Shanks.
• Sweet Misery: written by Michelle Branch / produced by John Shanks.
• You Get Me: co-written by Shelly Peiken / produced by John Shanks.
• You Set Me Free: co-written by Michelle Branch / produced by John Shanks.

Average:

• Something To Sleep To: co-written by Jennifer Hagio / produced by John Shanks.
• I’d Rather Be in Love: written by Michelle Branch / produced by John Shanks.

Verdict: I’ve always been a fan of Branch’s ever since she came out with “Everything”, but unfortunately wasn’t really encouraged to buy any of her albums until recently, and I’m so glad I did! “The Spirit Room” is an extreme delight from beginning to end as she’s a wonderful singer/songwriter, whilst John Shanks is an amazing producer. The biggest proof to my notion is that this album is still enjoyable despite being released 7 years ago – (4/5).

Blackground/Universal recording artist Kasey Butler posted a new song on her official MySpace profile entitled “Beautiful Goodbye”, produced by Soulshock & Karlin: Carsten Schack and Kenneth Karlin (Samantha Jade, Ashley Parker Angel). The track was initially recorded by Brownstone member Charmayne “Maxee” Maxwell, and you can hear the original version on MySpace as well.

[Visit] Kasey Butler @ MySpace

[Visit] Charmayne "Maxee" Maxwell @ MySpace

As previously reported, Janet Jackson will release "Discipline" – her first album with Island/Def Jam – on 26^th February. The set will be preceded by lead single "Feedback", produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston) and Dernst Emile (Mary J. Blige, Wynter Gordon).

"Discipline" sports additional alliances from Jermaine Dupri (Alicia Keys, Chante Moore), Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Christina Milian, Nicole Scherzinger), Johnta Austin (Leona Lewis, Jessica Simpson), Cristyle Johnson (Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez), Christopher "Tricky" Stewart (Rihanna, Britney Spears), Terius "Dream" Nash (Lucy Walsh, Karina Pasian) and Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (Kelly Rowland, Claudette Ortiz).

Janet Jackson – Discipline (Official Tracklist):

1. I.D.
2. Feedback
3. Luv
4. Spinnin'
5. Rollercoaster
6. Bathroom Break
7. Rock With U
8. 2nite
9. Can't B Good
10. 4 Words
11. Never Letchu Go
12. Truth Or Dare
13. Greatest X
14. Good Morning Janet
15. So Much Betta
16. Play Selection
17. The 1
18. What's Ur Name
19. The Meaning
20. Discipline
21. Back
22. Curtains

Albanian born songstress Genta Ismajli posted a new song on her official MySpace profile entitled "Intoxicated", so make sure you check it out! Her as-yet untitled English debut album is coming out this year, and among the musicians expected on the set are Kara Dioguardi (Ashlee Simpson, Paris Hilton), Jimmy Harry (Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson), Corte Ellis (Katharine McPhee, Fantasia Barrino), Jonathan "J.R." Rotem (Leona Lewis, Natasha Bedingfield) and Evan "Kidd" Bogart (Jennifer Lopez, Lucy Walsh).

[Visit] Genta Ismajli @ MySpace

Sony recording artist Tiffany Evans has her new single "I'm Grown" available for purchase via iTunes, so make sure you support the latest teen singing sensation! The track was co-written by Cristyle Johnson (Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey) and produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins & Dernst Emile (Keke Palmer, Linda Kiraly).

Look out for her self-titled debut album later this year featuring additional alliances from Beau Dozier (Gia Farrell, Joss Stone), Soulshock & Karlin: Carsten Schack and Kenneth Karlin (Samantha Jade, Kelly Rowland), Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Christina Milian, Paula DeAnda), Robert Shea Taylor (Nicole Scherzinger, Wynter Gordon), Eric Hudson (Tynisha Keli, Leona Lewis) and The Clutch: Keri Hilson, Candice Nelson, Ezekiel Lewis, Patrick "J.Que" Smith & Balewa Muhammad (Katherine McPhee, Britney Spears).

The revamped version of Kelly Rowland's underperforming sophomore album, "Ms. Kelly", is confirmed to have a new track entitled "Broken", which was co-written by Taj Jackson (Kelis, Lionel Richie) and produced by Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (Rihanna, Mary J. Blige).

Currently set for an April re-release via Music World/Sony, "Ms. Kelly" will also sport alliances from Nate "Danja" Hills (Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez), Jonathan "J.R." Rotem (LeToya Luckett, Britney Spears) and Bryan Michael Cox (Faith Evans, Chante Moore).

Geffen recording artist Ashlee Simpson will release a three-song digital EP on February 4th, 2008! The EP includes two new joints, "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" and "Rule Breaker" from her upcoming album, "Bittersweet World", plus "Catch Me When I Fall", a hidden gem from her last album, "I Am Me".

"Bittersweet World" is said to boast collaborations with Tim "Timbaland" Mosley (Jennifer Hudson, Nelly Furtado), Kara Dioguardi (Beyonce, Christina Aguilera), Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Nikka Costa), John Legend (Fergie, Keyshia Cole), Sean "The Pen" Garrett (Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani) and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes (Katharine McPhee, Vanessa Marquez).

Here is the video for Asia Cruise's debut single "Selfish", which was produced by Tha Corna Boyz: Pierre Medor & Dwayne Nesmith ("I Wish You Loved Me" – Tynisha Keli / "What Love Can Do" – LeToya Luckett / "High Heels" – Keri Hilson).

[Watch] Asia Cruise - Selfish

According to Dawn Richard’s official MySpace profile, The Stereotypes produced “Damaged” will be the lead single from Danity Kane’s highly-anticipated sophomore album “Welcome to the Dollhouse”, due 18th March via Bad Boy records.

The set will feature additional collaborations with super producer Nate “Danja” Hills, who’s also working on the next projects by Madonna (Maverick), Keri Hilson (Interscope), Mariah Carey (Island/Def Jam), Nicole Scherzinger (Interscope), Christina Milian (Interscope) and Nikki Flores (Sony).

[Visit] Dawn Richard @ MySpace