Singer/songwriter Lisa Simmons of Heatrox Xperience checked in with fans via her blog at MySpace on Sunday (March 30) with the following message: - "What's up everybody? Make sure you go and pick up 'The Other Side of Love' on iTunes, Napster, Tunecore, Amazon.mp3, and Rhapsody! It's the first of many releases from the Heatrox Xperience album that Flinstone and I are doing. You are in for a treat, and I promise you won't be sorry."

[Visit] Lisa Simmons @ MySpace

As previously reported, “Forgive Me” and “Misses Glass” are 2 new tracks included on the U.S. edition of Leona Lewis’ debut album, “Spirit”, due 8^th April via Syco/J Records. However, you probably didn’t know that some of the other joints that didn’t make the final cut include the Nina Woodford penned “Stay”, and “Perfection”, co-written by Ruth-Anne Cunningham.

“Stay” was produced by Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, Mutya Buena), who also crafted the Kara DioGuardi assisted “Forgiveness" – B side to “Bleeding Love”.

The Billy Steinberg & Josh Alexander helmed “Perfection” marks the 2^nd collaboration between the British songstress and the songwriting/production duo, keeping in mind that “The Best You Never Had” was their first.

Excellent:

1. Change The Game: (Laney Stewart, Tab Nkhereanye, Traci Hale, Ciara Harris)
2. Feelin' You: (French, Lakiesha Miles, Ciara Harris, Keri Hilson)

Very Good:

1. Average Girl: (French, Zena McNally, Lakiesha Miles)
2. In Too Deep: (Wayne Lawes, Rikardo Reid, Zena McNally, Heon Irving)
3. Let's Get This Party Started: (Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Wirlie Morris, Tab Nkhereanye, Dorian Hardnett)

Good:

1. Been Around The World: (Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Traci Hale, Tab Nkhereanye, Jason "J.Que" Patrick)
2. Pull Ya Brakes: (Bernard "Focus" Edwards Jr., Kandi Burruss)

Passable:

1. I'm Ready: (Saqib, Zena McNally, Heon Irving)
2. Get On It: (Zena McNally, Heon Irving)

Forgettable:

1. All Of Me: (Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Wirlie Morris, Traci Hale, Tab Nkhereanye)
2. Baby Be Mine: (Zena McNally, Heon Irving, Mega Man, Leke Awoyinka, Antoine Moradbakthi, Martin Okasilli)
3. Do She Know: (Wayne Lawes, Zena McNally, Ricardo Reid)
4. Fallin' For You: (Trevor Davey, Zena McNally, Heon Irving)
5. It's About Time: (Trevor Davey, Zena McNally, Heon Irving)
6. Necessary Thing: (Anthony Dent, Angela Irons)

My Thoughts:

Former Misteeq member Zena McNally released her debut solo album, "All of Me", via Avex Trax Japan, and luckily for me, I found a reasonably priced copy on eBay! Now that I've given it a proper listen, I'm gonna honestly say that it's not that bad!

However, I can't help but wonder why lead single "Been around the World" was chosen to kick-off her solo career cuz it's nothing special, and besides, the video version made McNally look as if she's making a guest appearance on a Vybz Kartel track.

On the other hand, the Keri Hilson penned "Feelin' You" and "Change the Game", co-written by Ciara made the album worth-while. Other highlights include "Let's Get This Party Started" and the French produced "Average Girl".

The midtempo "Pull Ya Brakes" - featuring background vocals from Kandi Burruss - is decent enough despite containing tacky lyrics such as "Dinner and a movie won't lead you to my booty" and "Get your hands off my ass, you're just movin' too fast". 

Rating: (3/5) – Good.

British songstress Maria Lawson checked in with fans on her blog at MySpace on Friday (March 28) with the following message: - "Hi everyone! Thanks for logging in and checking out my blog. I have been incredibly busy for the last couple of weeks looking after Brandon and getting used to motherhood. Its hard work but I wouldn't change it for the world, he is so adorable. I feel truly blessed to have him. I keep staring at him and sometimes I can't believe he's mine. From the instant I held him, my life has completely changed. I want to thank everyone who sent messages, presents, flowers and congratulations to us. You have all been amazingly kind. I was so touched. I have also been getting ready for my album at the same time so it has been pretty manic but now I am ready and more determined than ever. The album shoot is done and the glam squad on the shoot hooked me up. The photos look fabulous. I will be uploading the single and photos and revamping the site soon so keep checking back."

[Visit] Maria Lawson @ MySpace

Here is the video for “This Love”, the 3^rd single off The Veronicas’ sophomore album “Hook Me Up”. The track was produced by Toby Gad, who previously collaborated with the Australian duo on joints like “Secret”, “Mouth Shut” and “Speechless”, taken from their smash debut LP, “The Secret Life Of …”

“Hook Me Up”, currently earmarked for a May release in the States via Sire/Warner Bros. Records, boasts additional collaborations with Shelly Peiken (Christina Aguilera, Ashley Parker Angel), Greg Wells (Michelle Branch, Paris Hilton), Billy Steinberg (Kylie Minogue, Celine Dion), and Josh Alexander (Katharine McPhee, Ruth-Anne Cunningham).

[Watch] The Veronicas - This Love

It's been confirmed that "In the Rain" is the track Johnny Douglas produced on Estelle's forthcoming sophomore album, "Shine", due 31^st March via Homeschool/Atlantic Records.

This is also not the first time the British hitmaker collaborates with the "American Boy" singer as she did the background vocals on Remi Nicole's "Rock N Roll", as well as co-writing Alesha Dixon's "Fired Up" and "Everywhere I Go" – all produced by Douglas, who on the other hand, is best known for his work with Kylie Minogue ("Chocolate"), Gabrielle ("I Wish"), Sugababes ("Buster"), Rachel Stevens ("Secret Garden"), Javine ("Best of My Love"), All Saints ("Lady Marmalade"), Mutya Buena ("Paperbag"), and Eternal ("Just a Step from Heaven").

Here is the album cover for Raven Symone's forthcoming self-titled album, which is due 29^th April via Hollywood Records. The set features collaborations with songwriting team The Clutch: Candice Nelson, Patrick "J.Que" Smith, Balewa Muhammad & Ezekiel Lewis ("Keep a Friend", "Double Dutch Bus"), Eric Hudson / Tawanna "Frankie Storm" Dabney ("In The Pictures"), Chastity Nwagbara / Kwame Holland ("Got it Girl", "Green"), Marvin Ambrosius / Warren "Oak" Felder ("Love Me or Leave Me"), and Sean "The Pen" Garrett ("What Are You Gonna Do", "Stupid", "Girl Get It", "Shorts Like Me").

Singer/songwriter Mariah Carey has christened "Bye Bye" as the 2^nd single to be lifted from her forthcoming album, "E=MC²", due 15^th April via Island/Def Jam Records. The track was co-written by Johnta Austin (Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton), and produced Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (Beyonce, Janet Jackson).

"E=MC²" spawns additional alliances from Jermaine Dupri (Alicia Keys, Christina Milian), Bryan Michael Cox (Keyshia Cole, Gwen Stefani), Scott Storch (Britney Spears, Kelly Rowland), Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean (Angie Stone, Mya Harrison), Nate "Danja" Hills (Madonna, Jennifer Lopez), Cristyle "The Ink" Johnson (Monica, Jennifer Hudson), Taurian "Adonis" Shropshire (Natasha Ramos, Tynisha Keli), Terius "Dream" Nash (Wynter Gordon, Karina Pasian), Christopher "Tricky" Stewart (Tamar Braxton, Blu Cantrell), and Balewa Muhammad (Amerie, Paula Campbell).