Dear Monica Mania Readers,

I've recently created a new blog entitled Musicians' Galore where I celebrate my favorite songwriters and producers by compiling some of their biggest hits (and personal favorites of mine) in a single Mixtape. [It will be updated at the 1^st of each month].

Another new feature of the blog is entitled *Artist of the Week* where I'll be choosing a performer that deserves FULL recognition for his/her work. Head over there and check out which artist I've chosen for this week. [It will be updated every Sunday].

If you're an artist, songwriter or producer who'd like to be featured in Musicians' Galore, please don't hesitate to send me your material (released or unreleased) at supa_monica@yahoo.com

Hope you'll enjoy this blog as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Love always,

Hamada

[Visit] Musicians' Galore

Ciara Harris has delayed the release of her highly-anticipated conceptual album, "Fantasy Ride", from December 2008 till early 2009. The singer/songwriter reportedly booked additional recording sessions with Jim Jonsin (Beyonce Knowles, Christina Milian), Bloodshy & Avant: Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg (Jordin Sparks, Lindsay Lohan) and Scott Storch (Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera), so all we can do is wait for the outcome, which I'm sure is going to be worthwhile.

Be on the lookout for her duet with Enrique Iglesias, "Takin' Back My Love", taken from the Latin crooner's "Greatest Hits" compilation, due on 11^th November via Interscope Records. The track was co-written and produced by Nadir "Red One" Khayat (Toni Braxton, Brandy Norwood).

Excellent:

Better Without You: (Charlie Bereal, Kenny Bereal, Joseph “Lonny” Bereal, Charmelle Colfield).

Gotsta Go: (Charlie Bereal, Kenny Bereal, Joseph “Lonny” Bereal, Angela Beyince, Kelly Rowland).

Still In Love With My Ex: (Billy Mann, Carsten Schack, Kenneth Karlin, Lyndria Price, Joseph “Lonny” Bereal).

Very Good:

Every Thought is You: (Dana Stinson, Loren Dawson, Billy Mann, Huy Nguyen, Shalondra Buckines).

Flashback: (Charlie Bereal, Kenny Bereal, Joseph “Lonny” Bereal, Huy Nguyen, Britney Jackson).

This is Love: (Billy Mann).

Good:

Comeback: (Scott Storch, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Lyndria Price, Kelly Rowland).

Ghetto: (Durrell “Tank” Babbs, Joseph “Lonny” Bereal, Kelly Rowland).

Like This: (Sean Garrett, Jamal “Polow Da Don” Jones, Elvis “Blac Elvis” Williams, Jason Perry).

Love: (Slav Vynntsky, Marc Joseph, Solange Knowles).

Work: (Scott Storch, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Kelly Rowland).

Weak:

The Show: (Durrell “Tank” Babbs, Joseph “Lonny” Bereal, Kelly Rowland).

Rating: (3/5) – Good.

Up and coming group Dear Jayne posed 3 new songs at their official MySpace profile in the shape of “Double Take”, “Make Me a Man” and “That’s A No No”, so feel free to give them a listen! Their debut album, “Voice Message”, will be released in 2009 via Music Line Group / Capitol Records.

Album contributors include Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson), Terius “The Dream” Nash (Usher Raymond, Celine Dion), Carlos “L.O.S. Da Maestro” McKinney (Chris Brown, Karina Pasian), The Clutch: Balewa Muhammad, Candice Nelson, Ezekiel Lewis, Keri Hilson & Patrick “J.Que” Smith (Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige) and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart (Nicole Scherzinger, Beyonce Knowles).

[Visit] Dear Jayne @ MySpace

Keisha White is out with the video for her new single, "Wrong N Right", taken from the British singer/songwriter's upcoming album, "Changes". Make sure you check it out!

[Watch] Keisha White - Wrong N Right

In addition to penning hits with Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel Storleer Eriksen of Stargate for Esmee Denters' upcoming debut album, Justin Timberlake has also roped the Norwegian production team for the follow-up to "Future Sex / Love Sounds", which is due in 2009 via Jive Records.

Look out for more of Stargate on the next projects by Shontelle [Universal / Motown Records], Livvi Franc [Jive Records],  Keyshia Cole [Geffen Records], Britney Spears [Jive Records], Jennifer Lopez [Epic Records], Monica Arnold [J Records], Lindsay Lohan [Universal / Motown Records], Claudette Ortiz [Interscope Records], Rihanna Fenty [Def Jam Records] and Beyonce Knowles [Music World Entertainment / Columbia Records].

Keri Hilson is out with the video for her new single, “Return the Favor”, taken from the singer/songwriter’s debut album, “In a Perfect World”, which is due on 9^th December via Mosley Music / Interscope Records. The track was produced by frequent collaborator Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley [“Rehab” – Rihanna Fenty / “Step” – Mya Harrison / “Heartburn” – Alicia Keys].

[Watch] Keri Hilson - Return the Favor

Cassie Ventura has teamed up with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins for her forthcoming sophomore album, which is earmarked for an early 2009 release via Next Selection / Bad Boy Records. The super producer is also working on up and coming projects by Toni Braxton [Atlantic Records], Fantasia Barrino [J Records], Beyonce Knowles [Music World Entertainment / Columbia Records], Mario Barrett [J Records], Brandy Norwood  [Knockout Entertainment / Epic Records], Ciara Harris [Jive Records] and Britney Spears [Jive Records].

Other musicians backing the "Official Girl" on the yet to be titled project are Nate "Danja" Hills (Keshia Chante, Samantha Jade), Terius "Dream" Nash (Chris Brown, Rihanna Fenty), Christopher "Tricky" Stewart (Lucy Walsh, Karina Pasian), Kara DioGuardi (Leona Lewis, Nick Lachey), Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes (Usher Raymond, Solange Knowles), Tiffany Starr (Vanessa Hudgens, Kat DeLuna), Fernando Garibay (Paris Hilton, Wynter Gordon), Corey Williams (Tiffany Evans, Joanna Levesque), Kanye West (Christina Milian, Janet Jackson), Eric Hudson (Raven Symone, Jesse McCartney), Ryan Leslie (Cheri Dennis, Megan Rochell), Mario Winans (Faith Evans, Ashanti Douglas) and Bryan Michael Cox (Mariah Carey, LeToya Luckett).

Lilly Allen has dubbed “Everyone’s At It” as the lead single from the British vocalist’s sophomore album, “It’s Not You, It’s Me”, which is due on February 9^th via Regal / Parlaphone Records. The track was produced by Greg Kurstin of The Bird and the Bee, who previously collaborated with the artist on tracks like “Everything’s Just Beautiful”, “Not Big” and “Alfie”.

Kelly Clarkson has revealed that "If I Can't Have You" is the title of the track she recorded with Ryan "Alias" Tedder of One Republic. The hitmaker is best known for his work with Leona Lewis ("Bleeding Love"), Natasha Bedingfield ("Love like This") and Beyonce Knowles ("Halo").

Clarkson's yet to be titled 4^th studio album will also boast contributions from Curtis Richardson of The Conglomerate, who's behind Keri Hilson's "Come Clean", Rihanna Fenty's "The Final Goodbye", Craig David's "Officially Yours" and  Jennifer Lopez' "All I Have".