R&B crooner Omarion is currently working on his 3^rd solo album, and it's been confirmed that among the musicians snagged for the new project is singer/songwriter Edwin "Lil' Eddie" Serrano, who's resume includes penning hits for the likes of Jojo ("Coming for You"), Kylie Minogue ("All I See"), and Paula Abdul ("Dance Like There's No Tomorrow").

The "Entourage" singer's as-yet untitled set is the follow-up to "21", which was released in December 2006 via Sony Music, and spawned alliances from Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes (Kelis, Toni Braxton), The Underdogs: Harvey Mason Jr. & Damon Thomas (LeToya Luckett, Katharine McPhee), Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley (Madonna, Nelly Furtado), Eric Hudson (Raven Symone, Tynisha Keli), Sean "The Pen" Garrett (Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani), Durrell "Tank" Babbs (Fantasia Barrino, Keke Wyatt), Bryan Michael Cox (Faith Evans, Nicole Scherzinger), Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean (Chante Moore, Karina Pasian), Taurian "Adonis" Shropshire (Jennifer Lopez, Danity Kane), and The Clutch: Keri Hilson, Candice Nelson, Ezekiel Lewis, Balewa Muhammad & Patrick "J.Que" Smith (Amerie, Paula Campbell).

Singer/songwriter Gwen Stefani checked in with fans via No Doubt’s official website on Friday (28^th March) with the following message: - “Been thinking so much about you all lately as I am back in the studio again with the boys, trying to write some new music. What an amazing few years it has been. So inspired going through the dance-record phase of my life. Thank you so much for all your support! The tour was incredible. We ended up doing over 100 shows around the world, and it was so rewarding and again inspiring. Thank you to everyone who came out to see it ... memories for life! Great to be home with all my boys! Feels crazy to be pregnant all over again!!!!! We have been spending every day up in the little studio in our house, trying to write music. My favorite part so far is just seeing the guys every day and hanging out. We have so much fun together. The songwriting part is a bit slow on my part. ... I think it has something to do with the baby in my belly, but I'm sure it is all of the process, and I really believe this could be the most inspired No Doubt record so far. Can't wait to see what happens."

The Allaune “Akon” Thiam produced “Forgive Me”, taken from the US version of Leona Lewis’ hit album “Spirit”, was co-written by up and coming songwriter Claude Kelly, who’s best known for penning Kat DeLuna’s “Love Me, Leave Me”, “In the End” and “Love Confusion”.

Speaking of the “Whine Up” singer, she’s also gearing up for the re-release of her debut disc, “9 Lives”, with Akon executively producing the rejuvenated project.

Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams is getting ready to shoot the video for "We Break the Dawn", the lead single off her forthcoming 3^rd album "Unexpected", which is due in August via Music World Entertainment/Columbia. The track was co-written by Solange Knowles (Beyonce, Kelly Rowland), with joint production credits by Andrew Frampton & Wayne Wilkins (Leona Lewis, Mutya Buena).

"Unexpected" boasts additional collaborations with Soulshock & Karlin: Carsten Schack and Kenneth Karlin (Toni Braxton, Keyshia Cole), Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson), Makeba Riddick (Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez), and The Heavyweights (Maria Lawson, Christina Milian).

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.