In addition to putting the final touches on his upcoming debut album “Turbo 919”, singer/songwriter Sean “The Pen’ Garrett secured himself 4 placements on Raven Symone’s self-titled LP – due 29^th April via Hollywood Records - including “What Are You Gonna Do”, “Stupid”, “Girl Get It” and “Shorts Like Me”.

Fans of Garrett’s poignant songwriting should also keep an eye on the next projects by The Pussycat Dolls (A&M Records), Paradiso Girls (Interscope Records), Ashlee Simpson (Geffen Records), Jesse McCartney (Hollywood Records), Keyshia Cole (Geffen Records), Karina Pasian (Def Jam Records), Jennifer Hudson (J Records), Madonna (Maverick Records), and Whitney Houston (J Records).

Jive records’ artist Asia Cruise posted a new song on her official MySpace profile entitled “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me”, so make sure you check it out!

The “Selfish” singer’s forthcoming debut album – rumored to be titled “Who is Asia Cruise?” - is expected to hit the stores later this year featuring alliances from vocoder master T.Pain (Sophia Fresh, Mariah Carey), and Tha Corna Boyz: Pierre Medor & Dwayne Nesmith (Candace Jones, Megan Rochell).

[Visit] Asia Cruise @ MySpace

Jamaican born artist Tami Chynn will release “Frozen” as the lead single from her forthcoming sophomore album, which is due later this year via Universal Records/SRC.

The as-yet untitled set was recorded in 10 weeks under the executive supervision of hitmaker Allaune “Akon” Thiam, who’s best known for his work with Gwen Stefani (“The Sweet Escape”), Nicole Scherzinger (“Puakenikeni”), and Brick & Lace (“Never Never”).

[Visit] Tami Chynn @ MySpace

[Watch] Tami Chynn - Interview with BBC 1Xtra

My prayers go out to Corinne Bailey Rae whose husband, Jason Rae, passed away on Saturday 22^nd March 2008 … May god rest his soul in peace …

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Congratulations to singer/songwriter Estelle for scoring her first # 01 single in Britain with “American Boy” featuring Kanye West. The Will-I-Am produced joint is lifted from her forthcoming sophomore album, “Shine”, due 31^st March via Atlantic Records.

The set features additional collaborations with John Legend (Chrisette Michele, Karina Pasian), Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean (Angie Stone, Macy Gray), Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen), Wyclef Jean (Mary J. Blige, Claudette Ortiz), and Thomas “Cee-Lo” Callaway (Tori Alamaze, Solange Knowles).

British songstress Leona Lewis is set to release her debut album, "Spirit", in the United States on April 8^th via Syco/J Records. The US version contains 2 new tracks including the Mad Scientist produced "Misses Glass", and "Forgive Me", belted by Allaune "Akon" Thiam.

If you've also noticed, the tracks mentioned above replaced "Homeless" and "The Best You Never Had", which are available only on European version of the disc. The latter track was crafted by songwriting/production duo Josh Alexander & Billy Steinberg, best known for their work with Katharine McPhee ("Over It"), Jojo ("Too Little, Too Late"), The Veronicas ("I Could Get Used To This"), and Fefe Dobson ("Don't Let It Go To Your Head").

Leona Lewis – Spirit (US Version - Official Track List):

1. Bleeding Love
2. Better in Time
3. I Will Be
4. I'm You
5. Forgive Me
6. Misses Glass
7. Angel
8. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
9. Yesterday
10. Whatever It Takes
11. Take A Bow
12. Footprints in the Sand
13. Here I Am

As previously reported, Hollywood Records' artist Raven Symone will release her forthcoming self-titled album on 29^th April. The set is expected to feature alliances from The Clutch: Balewa Muhammad, Ezekiel Lewis, Candice Nelson & Patrick "J.Que" Smith (Jesse McCartney, Tiffany Evans), Eric Hudson (Tynisha Keli, Leona Lewis), Tawanna "Frankie Storm" Dabney (Rihanna, Stacie Orrico), Sean "The Pen" Garrett (Janet Jackson, Keyshia Cole), Warren "Oak" Felder (Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Lopez), and Kwame Holland (Christina Aguilera, Fantasia Barrino).

Raven Symone – Raven Symone (Official Track List):

1. Got it Girl
2. Anti-Love Song
3. In The Pictures
4. What Are You Gonna Do
5. Green
6. Love Me or Leave Me
7. In Your Skin
8. Stupid
9. Girl Get It
10. Keep a Friend
11. Shorts Like me
12. Hollywood Life
13. Double Dutch Bus

Excellent:

• Butterflies: written and produced by Karl Wolf.
• Cuz I Love You: written and produced by Karl Wolf.
• Desensitize: written and produced by Karl Wolf.
• Princess: written and produced by Karl Wolf.

Very Good:

• Face behind the Face: written and produced by Karl Wolf.
• Radio: written and produced by Karl Wolf.
• Summer Days: written and produced by Karl Wolf.

Passable:

• Just a Moment Away: written and produced by Karl Wolf.
• Life: written and produced by Karl Wolf.
• Life on a Break: written and produced by Karl Wolf.

Weak:

• Bootyful: written and produced by Karl Wolf.
• Hollow Girl: written and produced by Karl Wolf.
• Referee: written and produced by Karl Wolf.

My Thoughts:

Lebanese born/Canadian based singer/songwriter/producer Karl Wolf first caught my attention with the catchy “Desensitize”, but when I heard the Middle-Eastern flavored “Butterfly”, whose intro is similar to Shakira’s “Eyes Like Yours”, I knew I had to buy this album …

“Cuz I Love You” reminds me of Justin Timberlake’s “Like I Love You” with its acoustic guitars, whereas you can’t help but fall in love with the heartfelt delivery and lyrics in “Princess”.

The emotional “Summer Days” is about how peaceful Beirut used to be before the war, and “Radio” – despite being the albums’ only Pop joint – is one of its highlights as well.

On the other hand, tracks like the reggaeton influenced “Hollow Girl” and the stupidly titled “Bootyful” get on your nerves … “Referee” also sounds like an annoying version of Usher’s “Burn” ….

Rating: (4/5) – Very Good.

Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams is set to release her forthcoming third album, "Unexpected", in August via Music World Entertainment/Columbia. The set will be preceded by lead single "We Break the Dawn", followed by fan favorite "Stop This Car".

The disc features collaborations with Soulshock & Karlin: Carsten Schack and Kenneth Karlin (Kelly Rowland, Solange Knowles), Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (Beyonce, Mary J. Blige), Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson), and Makeba Riddick (Jennifer Lopez, Toni Braxton).

Michelle Williams – Unexpected (Official Track List):

1. Unexpected
2. Hello Heartbreak
3. We Break The Dawn
4. Lucky Girl
5. The Greatest
6. Till The End of the World
7. Private Party
8. Hungover
9. Stop This Car
10. Unexpected
11. Thank You
12. Too Young for Love

Jive Records artist Lil Mama has set April 29^th as the in-store date for her forthcoming debut album, “VYP: Voice of the Young People”. The set features the hit singles “Lip Gloss”, and “Shawty Get Loose” featuring Chris Brown and T.Pain.

Even though no track list has been confirmed yet, the disc is expected to spawn collaborations with Scott Storch (Beyonce, Keyshia Cole), Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean (Mariah Carey, Fantasia Barrino), Cool & Dre: Marcello Valenzano and Andre Lyon (Jazmine Sullivan, Christina Milian), Nate “Danja” Hills (Britney Spears, Nelly Furtado), and Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson).