Karen Poole shot to stardom by being one half of girl-group Alisha's Attic with sister Shelly, and after the band parted ways, she committed herself to songwriting for other artists, which is now a career she's extremely successful in. Some of the her well-known penned hits include Jamelia's "Beware Of The Dog", Shapeshifters' "Lola's Theme", Kylie Minogue's "Chocolate", Sugababes' "Caught In A Moment" and Dannii Minogue's "Put The Needle On It". I caught up with the British singer/songwriter to talk about the music industry, future projects, dream-collaborations, favorite clients, and Janet Jackson. Happy reading, and don't forget to post your thoughts :)

PS. Karen said that she stopped doing interviews since she became a songwriter, but fortunately for me, she was willing to make an exception, and I'll always love and respect her for that .....

Why did you split from Alisha's Attic?

We split because we got dropped from our record company, and it was very sad! But if I am honest, it was probably time.

Do you have plans of releasing a solo album, especially since many successful songwriters (Johnta Austin, Sean Garrett, Keri Hilson, Amanda Ghost, etc ...) are pursuing singing careers nowadays?

I am very happy doing what I do, and I'm singing everyday (just not in public) …But I do guest on friends' projects, and I will never say never!!!

You've worked with some of the best producers in the music industry, most notably Carsten "Soulshock" Schack (Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston), Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson (Christina Milian, Britney Spears), Johnny Douglas (Kylie Minogue, Amerie) and William Orbit (Madonna, Pink), and I was wondering with whom you shared the best chemistry?

All of the above are Awesome! I do have favorites and people I know I do my best stuff with (in all different genres) … I love William, Bloodshy and Johnny Douglas for their strive for originality … They are good pals and genius as well.

Tell us about the song you wrote for Janet Jackson on "Damita Jo", "Put Your Hands On". And were you disappointed when the song didn't make it to the final cut?

I wrote the song with Anders and Arnthur at Murlyn … I wrote it in my hotel room in Stockholm and came in the next day with the idea …. The guys then finished the song with Janet, and it turned out cool …

Yeah, it's a shame that the song didn't make it to the album, but hey, water off a duck's back in this game!!!

You've had a successful working relationship with girl group Sugababes, as you've penned some of their biggest hits (most notably "Follow Me Home" and "Caught In A Moment"). Did you think your equation with the other band members will change once you started working with ex-member Mutya Buena?

I was working with Groove Armada which is how the Mutya thing came around … I am really happy with the song and it was great to see Mutya again …

I love the girls!!! The Sugababes are ace, and very special to me … So I hope to get work with them again … I hear their new stuff is Awesome!

How's your relationship with your sister Shelly, whose also leading a successful career in songwriting? And is there any competition between the both of you?

I think there is enough room for two Pooles in the industry!! I've been at it full time for longer (Shellie has been concentrating on her own … Very cool music, watch out for her new album, it's ACE!) and so my CV is a bit bigger, but Shell is catching up fast and is a wicked songwriter … I am stoked that we get to do what we love for living.

Out of all the singers you've worked with, whom did you enjoy working with the most? And why?

Well, Will Young is one of my very best friends, so I would have to say him ... He is a special artist! And my most inspiring session was writing with Annie Lennox … But I have to say I love almost everyone I work with :)

Which artists are on your collaborations wish-list?

• Gwen Stefani.
• Timbaland.
• Justin Timberlake.
• Christina Aguilera.
• Beyonce.
• Mindy Smith.
• Patty Griffith.
• Dolly Parton.
• Zero 7 ... and tons, tons more!!!

Can you tell the readers of Monica Mania about your current and future projects?

I am working with Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, Nina Sky, and Will Young again … Mutya/Groove Armada, and Leon Jean Marie coming out soon.

Any message you'd like to give to your fans all over the world?

Just a big massive hug :)

[Visit] Karen Poole on MySpace

“Untouchable” will be the lead single from Latin beauty Melissa Jimenez’s upcoming debut album “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”, which is due later this year via SRC/Universal Records. The new set is expected to boasts star-studded alliances from Bryan Michael Cox (Kelly Rowland, Mary J. Blige), Adonis (Whitney Houston, Amerie), Kendrick “Wyldcard” Dean (Brandy, Toni Braxton) and Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean (Beyonce, Angie Stone). Other tracks set for inclusion on the final track-list include “He Ain’t The Only One”, “Feel It In The Air”, “These Tears”, “Never Give You Up” and “I’ll Try”.

New girl group Prima J, which is made up of sisters Jessica and Janelle, are planning to release their upcoming debut album later this year via Geffen Records. The new set is expected to boast hot productions courtesy of Beau Dozier, who lent his talents to joints like “Go Hard”, “Flip The Script” and “911”. You may also remember Prima J from the track they contributed on Disney’s motion picture soundtrack “Jump In” called “Gotta Lotta”.

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Pop siren Kylie Minogue was recently photographed coming out of the studio with music producers Bloodshy & Avant, who are belting out hits for her upcoming 10^th album rumored to be titled "Lessons", and is expected to boast additional collaborations with songwriters Karen Poole (Janet Jackson, Enrique Iglesias) and Amanda Ghost (Beyonce, James Blunt). On the other hand, the Swedish production duo is also working on British girl band Sugababes' next album, so that should be dope!

Teen Pop star Hilary Duff will release her upcoming album “Dignity” on 3^rd April via Hollywood Records. The new set will be preceded by lead single “With Love”, which was produced by Vada Nobles, who’s also known for work with Rihanna, Lauryn Hill, and Angie Stone. “Dignity” sports additional collaborations with producers/songwriters Kara Dioguardi (Nicole Scherzinger, Gwen Stefani), Rhett Lawrence (Kelly Clarkson, Victoria Beckham), Tim & Bob (Jennifer Lopez, Chante Moore), Greg Wells (Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan), and Will “Will-I-Am” Adams (Mary J. Blige, Kelis).

Here is the official track list for “Dignity”:

1. Stranger
2. Dignity
3. With Love
4. Danger
5. Gypsy Woman
6. Never Stop
7. No Work, All Play
8. Between You And Me
9. Dreamer
10. Happy
11. Burned
12. Outside Of You
13. I Wish
14. Play With Fire

Credits:

• Kara Dioguardi co-wrote: - “Stranger”, “Dignity”, “With Love”, “Danger”, “Never Stop”, “No Work, All Play”, “Between You And Me”, “Dreamer”, “Happy”, “Burned”, “I Wish” and “Play With Fire”.
• Vada Nobles produced: - “Danger”, “With Love” and “Stranger”.
• Greg Wells produced: - “All Work, No Play”.
• Rhett Lawrence co-wrote: - “Happy” and “Play With Fire”.
• Tim & Bob produced: - “I Wish”.
• Will “Will-I-Am” Adams produced: - “Play With Fire”.

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It has been officially confirmed that "Umbrella" will be the lead single from Rihanna's upcoming 3^rd album "Good Girl Gone Bad", which is due 5^th June via Def Jam Records (so that means she'll be going head 2 head with label mate Chrisette Michele? Hmm ...). The track was produced by Tricky Stewart, who's also known for joints like Mya's "Case Of The Ex" and Britney Spears' "Me Against The Music". Other collaborators on "Good Girl Gone Bad" include Sean Garrett (Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez), Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Celine Dion, Whitney Houston), Will "Will-I-Am" Adams (Mary J. Blige, Nicole Scherzinger), Evan Rogers & Carl Sturken (Emma Bunton, Kelly Clarkson), Tim "Timbaland" Mosely (Aaliyah, Nelly Furtado), Johnathan "J.R." Rotem (LeToya Luckett, Paris Hilton) and Stargate (Megan Rochell, Claudette Ortiz).

As it was previously reported, R&B superstar Beyonce will re-release her sophomore album "B'Day" on 3^rd April via Sony Music with 4 new tracks, and they are "Flaws & All", "Welcome To Hollywood", "Still In Love (Kissing You)" and "Beautiful Liar" featuring Shakira.

Here are some of "B'Day" album credits:

• "Beautiful Liar": produced by Stargate / co-written by Amanda Ghost.
• "Welcome To Hollywood": co-written by Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith/ produced by Scyience.
• "Flaws And All": co-written by Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith and Solange Knowles / produced by Shea Taylor.
• "If": co-written by Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith / produced by Stargate.
• "World Wide Woman": co-written by Sean Garrett and Makeba Riddick/ produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins.

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Even though he hasn't set the title for his upcoming album, R&B crooner Usher is planning to release it by November via LA Face Records. The new set is expected to boast collaborations with Jermaine Dupri (Chante Moore, Deborah Cox), Dre & Vidal (Amerie, Mariah Carey), Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean (Beyonce, Mary J. Blige), Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Jessica Simpson) and Robin Thicke (Christina Aguilera, Faith Evans).

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MTV recently caught up with Harvey Mason Jr. (left) and Damon Thomas (right) of production duo The Underdogs, and they revealed their plans of booking studio time with biggies like Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith and Nick Lachey. Other projects they're currently working on include producing hot joints on the next albums by J. Valentine, Chris Brown, Durrell "Tank" Babbs, Megan Rochell, Claudette Ortiz, Keke Wyatt and new girlgroups Jack and Gyrlfriend. They also hooked up with Canadian songstress Deborah Cox on tracks like "U Need 2 Quit" and "If I Had One Wish", but I'm not sure if they will be included on her upcoming R&B album … All in all, I wish them all the best …

PS. Harvey is such a cutie, isn't he? 

Singer/songwriter Erika Rose is currently putting the final touches on her upcoming debut album rumored to be titled "Rosegarden", and it's due later this year via indie label Infiniti Le Mode. The new set is expected to boast productions from Krucial Keys, with whom she previously hooked up by co-writing Alicia Keys' "A Woman's Worth", "Samsonite Man" and "Heartburn". Some of the tracks tipped for inclusion on the "Rosegarden" are "I Can Not Save You", "The Darkness" and "Spell On You".