I remember Ashley Parker Angel from his days with boyband O-Town, and always thought that he along with the afro-haired guy were the cutest fellas in the group! I also had no idea "Soundtrack To Your Life" was recorded as part of a reality-based show documented via MTV, cuz I bought it solely on the basis that producers Soulshock & Karlin helmed most of the album.

The Max Martin & Dr. Luke produced "Let You Go" is catchy enough, whereas "I'm Better" (my favorite track on the album) is what you'll get when you combine Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" and Pink's "U + Ur Hand".

"Crazy Beautiful", a mid-tempo ballad with an addictive chorus arranged by The Matrix (Christina Milian, Avril Lavigne), is one of the highlights as well. "Who Cares" reminds me of Sugababes' and All Saints' older material where the beats completely change at the end of the song (think "Never Ever" or "Run For Cover"), and I think that's pure genius. "Beautiful Lie" touched me with its subject of holding on to your loved one even though there's little hope of things getting back to how they were. If "Where did You Go" was placed on a TV show like "Grey's Anatomy", it would have shot straight to # 01. Fans of piano-driven songs will definitely like "Apology", in which Ashley showcases his vocal skills without additional studio arrangements.

All in all, "Soundtrack To Your Life" is perfect for fans of Pop-Rock music, and I applaud Angel for belting out such a wonderful album.

Monica'z Rating = = Very Good

[Listen] Ashley Parker Angel - I'm Better (produced by Max Martin & Dr. Luke)

New girl-group Prima J just finished shooting the video for their new single “Rockstar” with director Billie Woodruff, who’s well known for his work with Toni Braxton (“You’re Makin’ Me High”) and Mary J. Blige (“Take Me As I Am”). The track will be part of the soundtrack to the movie “B.R.A.T.S.”, and might end up on their forthcoming debut album as well. As previously reported on Monica Mania, among the tracks tipped for inclusion on Prima J’s as-yet untitled disc are “Go Hard”, “911” and “Flip The Script”, all helmed by multi-talented producer Beau Dozier (Jojo’s “Anything”, Tila Tequila’s “Fuck Ya Man”, Joss Stone’s “Nothing Better Than”).

Australian artist Che’Nelle will release her forthcoming debut album, “Things Happens For A Reason”, on August 28^th via Virgin Records. The disc includes hits like “Fell In Love With The DJ”, “Can’t Make You Love Me”, “Teach Me How To Dance”, “Club Jumpin” and a cover of Janet Jackson’s “Pops Up”. Among the producers she enlisted for the new set are Sean Garrett (Beyonce, Gwen Stefani), Rich Harrison (Christina Aguilera, Kelly Rowland), The Insomniax (Bobby Valentino, Stefani Vara) and The Arkitects (Karina Pasian, Chris Brown). New girl-group Myxx also recorded a duet with Che’Nelle for their debut album as well, so that should be interesting!

Newcomer Boniface is currently working on his forthcoming debut album, which is expected to be released sometime this year via Virgin Records. Among the tracks tipped for inclusion on the as-yet untitled set are "Heartbreak On The Floor", "Can't Get Enough", "Tell Me You Love Me", and the Beau Dozier produced "Money In The Air".  The singer/songwriter also stated that his version of "Lie About Us" is the original, not like many people think, and here's what he had to say about it:

Lie About Us ( This is the original , not a cover )

I wrote this demo a while ago with a ridiculously talented writer/ producer Beau Dozier. We gave it away to Avant this year. That's how I got in the game out here. It was Avant's single featuring Nicole from the Pussycat Dolls. They changed the style though. Can't say I liked what they did to it better than our version though. Regardless, this is the original demo and it'll probably be on my Album coz It's such a hot song. Enjoy

I don't know if I'm saying this because I heard Avant's version first, but I pretty much like his version with Nicole more than the original. What do you guys think?

[Visit] Boniface @ MySpace

R&B vocalist Chrisette Michele will release her upcoming debut album, "I Am", on 19^th June via Def Jam Records. The disc sports collaborations with John Legend (Mariah Carey, Keyshia Cole), Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds (Whitney Houston, Madonna), Will "Will-I-Am" Adams (Mary J. Blige, Nicole Scherzinger) and Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, Mutya Buena). Lead single, "If I Have My Way", was recently filmed, so expect a video for it anytime soon. Personnel wise, Babyface co-wrote "Your Joy" and "Best Of Me", while Will-I-Am helmed "Be OK" and "Let's Rock". Other album cuts include "Love Is You", produced by John Legend, as well as "Good Girl" and "In This For You", both belted by hitmaker Salaam Remi.

Chrisette Michelle – "I Am" [Official Track-List]

1. Like A Dream
2. Work It Out
3. If I Have My Way
4. Best Of Me
5. Your Joy
6. Good Girl
7. Be Ok (featuring Will-I-Am)
8. Mr. Radio
9. Golden
10. Let's Rock
11. Love Is You
12. In This For You
13. Is This The Way Love Feels

Singer/songwriter Jeannie Ortega posted 2 new songs from her forthcoming sophomore album on her official MySpace profile and they are:

• Over Your Head: produced by Kuya / co-written by Jeannie Ortega and Chrisette Michele (yes, the new Def Jam artist).
• Dreamz: produced by Hak of Pitch Black / written by Jeannie Ortega.

The as-yet untitled set is expected to be released later this year via Hollywood Records. Are you looking forward to it? And what do you think of the joints mentioned above?

[Visit] Jeannie Ortega @ MySpace

[Read] My Interview with Jeannie Ortega

Make-up artist turned sexy R&B siren Tori Alamaze just released a new mixtape, and the set includes hits like "Quite Simply" featuring Cee-Lo, "Take Control" (yeah it was originally hers before it went to Amerie), as well as several other hot unreleased joints. The "Freaky Boys" singer is also putting the final touches on her forthcoming debut album slated for release later this year, and I just can't wait for it!

[Purchase] Tori Alamaze - The Mixtape

[Read] My Interview with Tori Alamaze

R&B artist Paula Campbell has won Glamour Magazine’s competition against Samantha Jade (Jive Records) and Tiffany Evans (Sony Music), thus the video for her lead single will be directed by none other than Crunk princess Ciara (since when she knows how to direct videos as well?!!). Campbell’s debut album, “I Am Paula Campbell”, is due later this year via Sony Music and will feature collaborations with Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion), Carvin & Ivan (Faith Evans, Chante Moore) and songwriting team The Clutch (Bobby Valentino, Omarion).

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R&B queen Mary J. Blige revealed in a candid interview with Hamptons Magazine that she’s currently recording the follow up to her multi-platinum selling album, “The Breakthrough”, and here’s what she had to say about the recording process:

"It's like the difference between a rotisserie meal and a microwave dinner," she explained. "It takes hours to get right, but it's going to be really good and you won't forget it. I'm a nice rotisserie — caramel-colored and well-seasoned."

Among the producers/songwriters expected on the forthcoming set are Bryan Michael Cox (Nicole Scherzinger, Brandy), Johnta Austin (Whitney Houston, Enrique Iglesias), Sean Garrett (LeToya Luckett, Amerie), Soulshock & Karlin (Fantasia Barrino, Kelly Rowland) and Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean (Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson).

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It has been confirmed that Keyshia Cole's sophomore album is entitled "Just Like You", and the release date has been set on 18^th September via A&M Records. The lead single, "Let It Go" featuring Missy Elliot and Lil Kim, will be directed by Benny Boom, who also filmed Mya's comeback single "Lock You Down". Among the producers expected on "Just Like You" are Kanye West (Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey), John Legend (Chrisette Michele, Karina Pasian), Mario Winans (Faith Evans, Tamia) and my favorites Soulshock & Karlin (Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston).