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R&B crooner Mario Barrett is closely associated with a new production team called Nightriders, and they have produced 3 cuts on his upcoming album "Go", as well as additional joints on the next albums by Usher (La Face Records), Chris Brown (Jive Records), Jennifer Lopez (Sony Music) and Raven-Symone (Hollywood Records). I haven't heard of them before, but I'm definitely looking forward to their work, especially with Symone, whom I personally think is a great vocalist, and with the right producers, she's gonna return to the music scene with a spectacular album!

As it was previously reported, R&B crooner Joe will release his forthcoming album "Ain't Nothin' Like Me" on 24^th April via Jive Records. The new set features star-studded alliances from Stargate (Jessica Simpson, Beyonce), Taj Jackson (Lionel Richie, Kelis), Johnta Austin (Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige), Bryan Michael Cox (Nicole Scherzinger, Gwen Stefani), Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean (Toni Braxton, Brandy), Tim & Bob (Jennifer Lopez, Tamar Braxton), Cool & Dre (Christina Milian, Keyshia Cole), Diane Warren (Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey) and The Underdogs (Jennifer Hudson, Whitney Houston).

Here is the US track list & credits for "Ain't Nothin' Like Me":

1. Get To Know Me (featuring Nas): produced by Tim & Bob.
2. If I Was Your Man: produced by Stargate / co-written by Taj Jackson.
3. If I Want Her: co-written by Sean Garrett.
4. Where You At (featuring Papoose): co-written by Sean Garrett.
5. My Love: produced by Bryan Michael Cox / co-written by Johnta Austin & Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean.
6. Go Hard: produced by Bryan Michael Cox / co-written by Johnta Austin & Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean.
7. Ain't Nothin' Like Me (featuring Tony Yayo and Yung Buck): produced by The Underdogs.
8. It's Me: produced by Stargate / co-written by Taj Jackson.
9. Let's Just Do It (feauring Fabolous): produced by Cool & Dre.
10. Feel For You: produced by Bryan Michael Cox / co-written by Johnta Austin & Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean.
11. Just Relax (featuring Dre): produced by Cool & Dre.
12. Love Is Just A Game: co-written by Diane Warren.
13. You Should Know Me: co-written by Joylon Skinner & Michelle Williams.
14. Life Of The Party: co-written by Joylon Skinner.
15. That's What I Like: produced by Tim & Bob.

Here is the official cover for Mutya Buena's upcoming debut album "Real Girl", which is also the title of the lead single from the album. The new set is due June 5^th via Island Records and boasts collaborations with Johnny Douglas (Amerie, Kylie Minogue), Greg Kurstin (Jessica Simpson, Sophie Ellis Bextor), Karen Poole (Janet Jackson, Leona Lewis), Jim Beanz (Nelly Furtado, Shakira) and Salaam Remi (Nina Sky, Amy Winehouse).

Here is the official album cover for Rihanna’s forthcoming 3^rd album “Good Girl Gone Bad”, which is due June 5^th via Def Jam Records. The new set will be preceded by lead single “Umbrella” featuring Jay-Z, which was co-written by Terius Nash (Britney Spears, Sugababes) and produced by Tricky Stewart (Blu Cantrell, Mya). Other collaborators on “Good Girl Gone Bad” include Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Heather Headley, Christina Milian), Stargate (Jessica Simpson, Lionel Richie), Tim “Timbaland” Mosley (Madonna, Nelly Furtado), Justin Timberlake (Macy Gray, Keri Hilson), Will “Will-I-Am” Adams (Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson) and Evan Rogers & Carl Sturken (Kelly Clarkson, Emma Bunton).

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Latin actress-singer Jennifer Lopez said that the first single from her upcoming English album will come out in June, whereas no details are given to when the LP will be released. The new set will sport collaborations with Sean Garrett (Enrique Iglesias, Kelly Rowland), Johnathan “J.R” Rotem (LeToya Luckett, Rihanna), and Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean (Britney Spears, Jennifer Hudson), who produced the joints “Still From Da Block” and “Skip The Blues (Not Me)”.

Looking back over the years, how would you describe your experience as a
member of Brownstone? And do you have any regrets?

It was a terrific experience, wouldn't change it for the world ... I feel very blessed to have been a part of history in the music industry ... I never have regrets because not many people are able to accomplish what I or we have.

Do you miss being in a girlgroup or you're happy being solo?

I miss it sometimes, but I love being solo as well.

Are you still in touch with your ex-bandmates Nicci, Mimi, and Kina?

I speak to Nicci nearly everyday, and kina every now and then by email, but I haven't spoken to Mimi in a year.

A lot of fans wonder with Mimi left the band, can you give us the lowdown on what happened?

She was ready to fly and move on!

What are some of your favorite songs while you were part of Brownstone? And why?

My favorites are:

1) "If You Love Me" because I love the vocals and arrangement.

2) "Sometimes Dancing" because that's when I met the love of my life.

3) "Around You" because I love the lyrics.

[Listen] Brownstone - Around You (written by Robin Thicke)

Are there any artists you'd love to write songs for?

Yes why not, maybe Michael Jackson or Mary J. Blige.

Which girlgroup when you look at you say to yourself "These girls remind me of my days with Browntone"? And do you think R&B has now been way too commercialized?

Destiny's Child, looking at them reminds me of us a lot, and no I don't feel R&B has been too commercialized.

Which producers you think brought out the best of you as an artist while you were with Brownstone?

Dave Hall and Soulshock & Karlin.

What do you have to say about the success your ex-bandmate Nicci Gilbert achieved as a play director? And will we see you as an actress one day?

I'm quite proud of her. She's extremely talented, so I'm not surprised at the same time ... Maybe I'd like to do a movie one day, but it has to be perfect for me.

Tell us about your upcoming solo album? And when are you planning to release it?

Still working very hard on it so I'm not sure when I will release it, hopefully sooner than later (smile).

You previously told me that there are plans of a Brownstone re-union, and if that happened, what will you do with your solo material?

I plan on continuing my solo project of course...

Which producers/songwriters you'd love to work with if given the opportunity?

I love Quincy Jones, and Glen Ballard.

In a recent interview with Monica Mania, producer Carsten "Soulshock" Shack revealed that both of you are dating … Tell us something that most people don't know about him? And was there any attraction when both of you met for the first time during Brownstone's "From The Bottom Up" recording sessions?

He is quite a hard worker and very very focused. He has lots of drive, and is a great dad. We have a son named Nicolaj, and we are one happy family. And yes sparks flew right away when we first met, but I don't believe in mixing business and pleasure, so I accepted his date after we were finished recording with the album.

Last but not the least, is there any message you'd like to give to your fans all over the world?

Yes, thank you SOOO much for your support (smiles) ... Maxee

[Visit] Charmayne "Maxee" Maxwell @ MySpace

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Fellow site Rap-Up got the opportunity to preview Kelly Rowland’s sophomore album “Miss Kelly”, which is due 26^th June via Sony Music. The new set contains 12 songs, and features collaborations with producers/songwriters Sean Garrett (Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears), Jamal “Polow Da Don” Jones (Christina Aguilera, Nicole Scherzinger), Scott Storch (Beyonce, Amerie), Soulshock & Karlin (Keyshia Cole, Toni Braxton), Dana “Rockwilder” Stinson (Janet Jackson, Kelis), Billy Mann (Pink, Anastacia), Mysto & Pizzi (Cassie, Uness), and Durrell “Tank” Babbs (Aaliyah, Jamie Foxx).

Here is the track list for “Miss Kelly”

1. “Like This (featuring Eve)” – produced by Polow Da Don / Co-written by Sean Garrett.
2. “Comeback” – produced by Scott Storch.
3. “Ghetto (featuring Snoop Dogg)” – produced by Durrell “Tank” Babbs.
4. “Work (Put It In)” – produced by Scott Storch.
5. “Flash Back” – produced by Charlie and Kenny Bereal.
6. “Every Thought Is You” – produced by Dana “Rockwilder” Stinson and Loren Dawson.
7. “The Show (featuring Tank)” – produced by Durrell “Tank” Babbs.
8. “Interlude” – produced by Billy Mann.
9. “Still In Love With My Ex” – produced by Soulshock & Karlin.
10. “Love” – produced by Mysto & Pizzi / co-written by Solange Knowles.
11. “Better Without You” – produced by Charlie and Kenny Bereal.
12. “This Is Love” – produced by Billy Mann.

Pop artist/actress Jessica Simpson shocked the world when she announced that she'll be working with veteran R&B producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for a cover of Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'", and most of us weren't disappointed in the song or the extra-raunchy video! I was even more excited when I learned that the hitmaking duo will be producing more tracks on her next album "A Public Affair", and for that particular reason, I bought it. To my surprise, it's not R&B influenced as much as I thought it would be despite containing additional collaborations with urban songwriters/producers such as Johnta Austin (Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige), Makeba Riddick (Toni Braxton, Beyonce) and Cory Rooney (Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey).

Lead single "A Public Affair" is very catchy, and yes, it's heavily influenced by Madonna's "Holiday" as well as few Kylie Minogue-esque vocal arrangements. "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)" is indeed a very good cover of Dead Or Alive's 80s smash. "If You Were Mine" is perfect for the dance-floors, and it sounds very similar to "A Public Affair" due to the fact that it was co-produced by Greg Kurstin, who's also known for his working with Peaches ("Downtown"), Sophie Ellis Bextor ("Catch You") and All Saints ("Rock Steady"). "Walkin' Round In A Circle" sounds like something Carrie Underwood would sing, and took me a few listens to get used to the it. "The Lover In Me" is single-worthy due to it's meaningful lyrics, and I bet y'all didn't know that it was co-written by former American Idol contestant Tamyra Gray.

I hated it "Push Your Tush" when I heard it for the first time, but now I realize that it's actually not that bad … A perfect description to the song would be "These Boots Are Made For The Walkin' – Part II" (PS. I also think the break-down at the middle of the song was completely unnecessary). "Between You & I" heavily samples "Unchained Melody", and god knows how many artists covered that classic love song. Now the prize for best song on the album goes to the Stargate produced "I Don't Want to Care" … I just love everything about it, and really don't understand why she didn't release this excellent joint as a single. "Fired Up", on the other hand", is the worst song on the album, and what saddens me more is that it's produced by Scott Storch, whose one of my favorite musicians …

All in all, "A Public Affair" is not a bad album by any means, but could have been a lot better, and if I were in charge, below were the songs I would have chosen on the final track-list to make it a much more enjoyable listening experience …

Jessica Simpson – A Public Affair [Monica's track list]

1. A Public Affair – produced by Lester Mendez.
2. You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) – produced by Cory Rooney.
3. Sexified – produced by Scott Storch.
4. If You Were Mine – co-produced by Greg Kurstin.
5. Walkin' Round In A Circle – produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
6. The Lover In Me – produced by Sam Watters.
7. Mr. Operator – produced by Scott Storch.
8. Push Your Tush – produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
9. Back To You – produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
10. I Don't Want To Care – produced by Stargate.
11. Let Him Fly – produced by Lester Mendez.
12. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Scott Storch Remix) – Bonus Track.
13. I Belong To Me – produced by Stargate.

Monica'z Rating = = Good

Def Jam recording artist Karina Pasian posted a new song on her MySpace profile called "Cry", which was co-written by Gordon Chambers (Beyonce, Whitney Houston) and produced by The Arkitects. Her forthcoming debut album is due later this year and will boast collaborations with label-mate Sterling Simms, as well as songwriters/producers Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Emily King, Megan Rochell), Sean Garrett (Janet Jackson, Amerie), Jermaine Dupri (Usher, Jessica Simpson), Wyclef Jean (Samantha Jade, Claudette Ortiz), John Legend (Jennifer Hudson, Keyshia Cole) and Troy Taylor (Black Buddafly, Trey Songz).

PS. What the hell are you doing Chris? I said I'm gonna get a divorce from my husband LL Cool J to be with you, and now I see this!!! I'm really disappointed …

[Visit] Karina Pasian on MySpace

[Read] My interview with Karina Pasian

It has been reported that British songstress Leona Lewis (left) is currently recording tracks with mega-producer Dallas Austin for her upcoming debut album, which is due later this year via J Records. The hitmaker, who recently caused waves with his controversial Fucking For Tracks video, is also working on the next albums by Brit & Alex, Craig David, Sugababes and JC Chasez. On the other hand, another person Lewis will be collaborating with on her debut is songwriter Karen Poole, and she's known for her work on Jamelia's "Beware Of The Dog" and Kylie Minogue's "Red Blooded Woman". Can't wait to see whom Leona will work with next … PS. Am I the only one who thinks Leona has a striking resemblance to R&B artist Javine (right)?