Home & Garden – Domesticated [Reviews]

Home & Garden’s Domesticated offers jackin’ house beats and downtempo grooves, but each are spiced with experimental elements that sometimes help to complement their respective genres’ defining ingredients, and other times providing accessibility for casual dance music fans.

This is especially true on “All the Same,” a pop-style track with vocals by Colette, in which she pleads for a pursuer to leave her alone over a garage-tinged, funky house melody. Additionally, the album’s title track showcases DJ Derrick Carter’s soulful crooning effortlessly collaborating with the tune’s organic, live instrumentation.

The instrumental “El Cortez” is infused with Latin flavor and highlights clever solos from a number of musical sources. “Endless Pieces,” on the other hand, is full of bridges, choruses and verses courtesy of Lucy Woodward, and plenty of Hendrix-esque guitar riffs and ’70s disco beats to take listeners on a psychedelic trip.

Traveling the mellow road is “Sunday Morning,” featuring Mic Murphy, that’s coffeehouse cool mixed with a funky lounge vibe full of live instrumentations, synth solos and the grinding feel of early ’80s R&B. The talk-vocals of Russell Taylor make “Braille” a sexy yet gritty seduction that also embraces that Hendrix-style guitar present in “Endless Pieces.”

Domesticated walks a fine line between electronic music and the many other styles it seeks to incorporate. The effort is valiant, but may turn off some listeners looking for a straight pop or dance record. For those willing to let Home & Garden guide them through their vision, the trip is one worth traversing.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “Easy Going Down” feat. Jennifer Karr
2. “All the Same” feat. Colette
3. “Domesticated” feat. Derrick Carter
4. “El Cortez”
5. “Someday” feat. Lisa Shaw
6. “Endless Pieces” feat. Lucy Woodward
7. “Body & Soul” feat. Mic Murphy
8. “In And Out” feat. Chez Damier
9. “Wanna Walk Away” feat. Lisa Shaw
10. “Sunday Morning” feat. Mic Murphy
11. “Braille” feat. Russell Taylor

Lil Mama – VYP: Voice of the Young People [Reviews]

Teenage rap artists often have a hard time balancing between the bulk of their fan base ― kids whose parents expect lyrics to fall in the PG range ­― and the genre’s incessant demand for hard-edged rhythms and explicit subject matter. Though Lil Mama doesn’t embrace the second portion of the latter, she manages to bridge beats with her pop radio-friendly rap on her debut, VYP: Voice of the Young People, with an appeal to all ages within the hip-hop generational gap.

On no track is this more true than on “Lip Gloss,” the hand clap-driven ode to makeup in which Lil Mama flows briefly with “no music” to demonstrate a rhyming ability rarely found in rappers her age. Though not everyone will relate to the topic, the melody alone is enough to ignite a party. And no playlist would be complete without “Shawty Get Loose,” the bouncy number featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain that screams to listeners to get up and dance (and it’s hard to resist the song’s summons).

The nursery rhyme melody of “G-Slide (Tour Bus)” borrows from “The Wheels on the Bus,” which explains why it’s so catchy, and the accompanying dance is enough to keep the song on repeat. Keeping in tune with the kids’ stuff, “Swim” is an interesting ditty that seems to be a new telling of the story of The Little Mermaid, only this time around, the guy Lil Mama’s eyeing says that he’ll join her under the sea.

“College” is definitely one of the more mature songs included on the album. Here, Lil Mama discusses some of the more complicated matters many face when first attending a university, such as no parental support and being recognized as an outsider among the school’s student body. Additionally, the acronymic “L.I.F.E.” is the mandatory “life is rough, but I’m going to persevere” inspirational track, complete with references to 2Pac, crack and a mom who wasn’t there.

Lil Mama can easily claim the title of the Voice of the Young People ― despite her gruff voice ― because of her confidence, and her ability to talk about childish topics and more grown-up material. Doing so allows her to relate to her peers, as well as those younger and older who may have had similar experiences. She also is able to do so over hip-hop beats that rival that of her contemporary competitors, securing her position for the meantime as the VYP.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “Intro”
2. “Lip Gloss”
3. “One Hit Wonder”
4. “Get Loose Request”
5. “Shawty Get Loose” feat. Chris Brown and T-Pain
6. “What It Is (Strike A Pose)” feat. T-Pain
7. “G-Slide (Tour Bus)”
8. “Gotta Go Deeper Skit”
9. “Stand Up”
10. “L.I.F.E.”
11. “College” feat. Yirayah
12. “Emotional Rollercoasters Skit”
13. “Broken Pieces”
14. “Swim”
15. “Truly In Love” feat. Peter Toh
16. “Look At My Life Skit”
17. “Make It Hot”
18. “Pick It Up”

Craig David – Trust Me [Reviews]

Craig David is one of the few artists capable of making the foray from 2Step to American hip-hop-laden grooves. This ability, coupled with his silky-smooth voice, explains why fans are willing to shell out good money for his import singles and albums. His 2007 effort, Trust Me, showcases less of the material listeners have come to expect from David, as this album’s focus seems to be journeys down some exploratory paths.

“Hot Stuff (Let’s Dance)” is pure pop, utilizing the same ear-catching melody of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” that Puff Daddy borrowed for “Been Around the World.” The instantly recognizable beat helps the lead single propel the set into the energetic, trumpet-blaring “6 of 1 Thing,” in which David questions his love’s mixed messages, lying and lack of desire to work out their relationship. (Listen for more band-oriented sounds, with tinges of Latin influence, on the disc’s title track and “Don’t Play with Our Love.”)

“Awkward” is more than just a name for the strangely put-together track. It truly captures Craig’s feelings of regret for letting an ex-girlfriend go and the heart-dropping strain to his psyche when he sees her wearing what’s likely an engagement or wedding ring. “Kinda Girl for Me” samples The Stylistics’ “You Are Everything” and, appropriately, an infatuated David lists all the qualities in his woman that makes him love her. The midtempo “She’s On Fire” finds Craig dabbling in a mellow, reggae-style delivery on some verses, while a guitar and a string section helps the melancholy “Top of the Hill” before David offers his take on current hip-hop trends with “This is the Girl.”

Even after the explosive and highly radio-ready first track, the rest of the album will definitely challenge fans’ expectations who are looking for another “What’s Your Flava?” “Fill Me In” or “7 Days.” This is likely due to David’s very personal third album, The Story Goes …, receiving limited commercial exposure in the U.S. Those who heard that album won’t be as surprised at the direction of Trust Me, but those who didn’t that are willing to give his new album a shot will find a much more organic approach to music that’s fun, but capable of delivering a message.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “Hot Stuff (Let’s Dance)”
2. “6 of 1 Thing”
3. “Friday Night”
4. “Awkward”
5. “Just a Reminder”
6. “Officially Yours”
7. “Kinda Girl for Me”
8. “She’s On Fire”
9. “Don’t Play with Our Love”
10. “Top of the Hill”
11. “This is the Girl”

Sunshine Anderson – The Sun Shines Again [Reviews]

When we were first introduced to Sunshine Anderson, she was strongly declaring that she’d “Heard It All Before.” Nearly ten years later, she’s offering up a third serving of raspy soul and grown folks music with The Sun Shines Again.

The flirtatious “Say Something” leads the set, with the playful ditty’s upbeat melody serving as the foundation for Sunshine’s message of “stop your frontin’” to a male admirer. The danceable tracks continue with “Life Back,” whose less-than-happy lyrics are punctuated by Anderson’s raspy voice pleading for a return to a life free of drama.

Speaking of drama, Sunshine lists out plenty in the disc’s first single, “Lie to Kick It,” on which she talks of her man’s shady doings behind her back. The tune is a bit reminiscent of Adina Howard’s “Nasty Grind” and the lyrics are as clever as anything R. Kelly ever composed, but the dramatic performance here is all Sunshine’s.

“Nervous” finds Anderson exploring first date jitters, from picking the right dress to questioning how far she’ll go on the first night. The sensual “U Doin’ It” is a much more confident explanation of what might possibly happen on said date, including “Shakin’ and bakin’, daddy, like I’m in a Luke video.” Things cool down with “A Warning For the Heart,” a piano tune accompanied by India.Arie-esque “la-da-das” and lyrics of resisting love because of inevitable pain and suffering.

The Sun Shines Again is a great balance of dance-worthy and introspective R&B for the grown and sexy set, offering plenty of variety; flashbacks that reminisce of Aaliyah and Surface, among others; and passionate vocals from Anderson. Though we missed Sunshine while she was gone, we appreciate the gift her time away has given to this ear-pleasing album.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “Say Something”
2. “Hard Love”
3. “2nd Fiddle”
4. “Lie to Kick It”
5. “Life Back”
6. “Karma’s a Mutha”
7. “A Warning For the Heart”
8. “Call My Own”
9. “Nervous”
10. “U Doin’ It”

Mariah Carey – Merry Christmas II You [Reviews]

Mariah Carey‘s Merry Christmas is a modern Christmas favorite, and no song on the album better fits that description than the ubiquitous “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Her second disc of holiday music, Merry Christmas II You,  could do nothing but draw comparisons, as Mariah seemingly borrowed from past artwork (see the album covers) and the energy of her previous release.

This is epitomized in “Oh Santa!” a hand-clap-driven ditty which finds the diva crooning lyrics of a “bring him back to me” nature over a festive melody complete with church bells. The song even receives some club treatment with the Low Sunday Edit, which is also included on the disc.

Another trip to the discotheque is “Auld Lang Syne (The New Year’s Anthem),” which begins with a beautiful vocal display before delivering a countdown-induced house beat that’s sure to get New Year’s revelers up and moving while ringing in 2011.

Jazzy, laid-back and more lyric-driven is “When Christmas Comes,” a song of the hope and happiness that comes during the holidays. “One Child” is another original composition, one which presents the story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus in a soft-to-diva-strong manner and features some background help from a number of children.

Who can’t love “Charlie Brown Christmas”? After starting with the melodious “Linus & Lucy,” Carey segues into “Christmastime is Here” for a memory-inducing mashup of two classics from one of our favorite Christmas specials. More mashups appear on Merry Christmas II You, specifically “The First Noel/Born is the King” and “O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah,” which features Mariah’s first recorded duet with her mother, Patricia Carey.

Merry Christmas II You may borrow some elements of Merry Christmas (including a few remixes and live recordings), but the spirit of the first experiences more of a continuation with the new album with it’s fun and festive-inspiring mood.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town Intro”
2. “Oh Santa!”
3. “O Little Town of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy Medley”
4. “Christmas Time is in the Air Again”
5. “The First Noel/Born is the King Interlude”
6. “When Christmas Comes”
7. “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)/Housetop Celebration”
8. “Charlie Brown Christmas”
9. “O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus” feat. Patricia Carey
10. “O Holy Night (Live from WPC in South Central Los Angeles)
11. “One Child”
12. “All I Want for Christmas is You (Extra Festive)”
13. “Auld Lang Syne (The New Year’s Anthem)”
14. “Oh Santa! (Low Sunday Edit)”

Ciara – Fantasy Ride [Reviews]

A consistent hit-maker for three straight years, Ciara dominated radio and clubs with everything from her debut single, “Goodies,” to its crunk & B cousin, “That’s Right.” After a short break, CiCi returned with Fantasy Ride.

Though pushed back several months and missing the T-Pain collaboration, “Go Girl,” the album is full of fresh material and some that pays homage to hits from Ciara’s past.

The first such track is “Ciara To the Stage,” the set-opener on which the Princess of Crunk & B croons (and at one point raps) over a slow jam melody that’s reminiscent of The Evolution’s “Promise.” Here begins the first of many cuts in which Princess C brags about her sexual prowess, but few attempts are as effective as “Love Sex Magic” with Justin Timberlake, which is as hot with its video as it sounds on your iPod.

Ciara’s vocal experimentation on “High Price” features fellow ATL emissary Ludacris. Rather than replicating their first collabo “Oh!” Ciara belts operatic verses that are accented by a cartoonishly delivered chorus. The unusual demonstration is paired with Ludacris’ trademark ― and welcome ― flow, which single-handedly saves the song. (Guilty pleasure lyric: “Booty looks softer than a McDonald’s hamburger bun.” We can’t make this stuff up.)

It wouldn’t be a Ciara record without floor-fillers and “Work” is the best offering on Fantasy Ride. Here, CiCi again teams up with a partner from the past: the one and only Missy Elliott. Given the hotness of “1, 2 Step” and “Lose Control,” it’s no surprise that “Work,” which borders the edge between old-school hip-hop and a house jam, will be a party-starter with its supportive chants and pounding commands.

Taking the alphabetic approach, “G Is for Girl (A-Z)” schools listeners that G stands for “girl-like gangsta” over a funky, electric guitar-infused hip-hop beat. Channeling funk of the Prince variety is “Lover’s Thing,” a duet with The-Dream about a two-way love that’s over, yet each participant desperately desires the other’s return.

More diverse than past discs, Fantasy Ride is an engaging ticket through the many eclectic genres found within today’s R&B. Though some songs focus intently on bump N Grind lyrics, there are more than enough uptempo tracks to not alienate Ciara’s fan base and plenty of experimental tracks to keep them intrigued.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “Ciara to the Stage”
2. “Love Sex Magic” feat. Justin Timberlake
3. “High Price” feat. Ludacris
4. “Turntables” feat. Chris Brown
5. “Like a Surgeon”
6. “Never Ever” feat. Young Jeezy
7. “Lover’s Thing” feat. The-Dream
8. “Work” feat. Missy Elliott
9. “Pucker Up”
10. “G Is for Girl (A-Z)
11. “Keep Dancin’ on Me”
12. “Tell Me What Your Name Is”
13. “I Don’t Remember”

Bruno Mars – Doo-Wops & Hooligans [Reviews]

Bruno Mars’ ubiquitous voice has been all over radio recently thanks in part to his No. 1 single “Just the Way You Are.” With his first album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Mars sets his bar extremely high, culminating in one of the best debuts That’s My Jam has heard since Lady Gaga’s The Fame.

Ammo for this argument starts early, with the set-opener “Grenade.” Here, Bruno laments about a woman for whom he would do anything, but she fails to reciprocate. Mars’ convincing vocals reach into some past experience or thespian training, because the rage and sadness are clear, and the lyrics leave no question as to how he feels.

The reggae-influenced “Liquor Store Blues” appropriately features Damian Marley and follows “Grenade’s” sad path, but “Runaway Baby” is quite the opposite, borrowing heavily from ’60s era rock and soul as Mars proudly embraces his rolling stone status.

“The Lazy Song” evokes memories of a tune by Jason Mraz (as does its sonic cousin, “Count On Me”), with a simple guitar strum guiding the melody and Bruno listing out the many things he plans on doing today … or not. The fun of this cut is how Bruno politely declares his need to just relax in a way so eloquent we can’t help but relate.

“Marry You” may sound like a holiday staple at first listen, especially at this time of year, but Mars’ lyrics “Cause it’s a beautiful night/We’re looking for something dumb to do/Hey baby/I think I wanna marry you” are simultaneously romantic and mocking of the institution. Post-marital bliss is explored in the sensual “Our First Time,” which is reminiscent of an island tune and not as overtly sexual as some current songs on the same subject matter.

Bruno Mars successfully accomplishes duality on this album in many areas: his influences are both mainstream and underground; he understands and delivers pop hooks, but maintains a sense of true artistry; and he romances the girls and provides a party album for the boys. It’s addicting and easy to listen to repeatedly, yet with each play, one comes away with something new they didn’t hear before. It’s a modern classic that will likely see its share of hits in 2011.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “Grenade”
2. “Just the Way You Are”
3. “Our First Time”
4. “Runaway Baby”
5. “The Lazy Song”
6. “Marry You”
7. “Talking to the Moon”
8. “Liquor Store Blues” feat. Damian Marley
9. “Count On Me”
10. “The Other Side” feat. Cee-Lo & B.o.B.

 

 

Rihanna – Loud [Reviews]

Rihanna returns from the darkness of Rated R with Loud, a collection of happy-go-lucky, fan-pleasing tunes. The set’s first single, “Only Girl in the World,” established this precedent with its upbeat urbantronica melody and RiRi’s belting of its title within the chorus.

The party continues with “Cheers (Drink to That),” with the Barbadian diva toasting to the weekend and with it, some much needed R and R (no pun intended).

“S&M” is one of ‘Loud’s’ guilty pleasures, as Rihanna chants “Cause I may be bad, but I’m perfectly good at it/Sex in the air, I don’t care, I love the smell of it/Sticks and stones may break my bones/But chains and whips excite me” over a raucous dance melody. This is further punctuated with the recurring “Na-na-na-na-come on” she peppers into the prose.

“Raining Men” is a female empowerment anthem featuring a guest flow from none other than Nicki Minaj. Borrowing practically nothing from the Weather Girls‘ 1982 hit of a similar name, Rihanna breaks down the numbers, reassuring that there are plenty of other fish in the sea for ladies being hit on by lowlife men.

Things tone down on “California King Bed,” a lament about the emotional distance between Rihanna and her unnamed lover. The heat gets turned up and the physical presence drastically reduced on “Skin,” a more sensual interpretation of the raunchy lyrics presented in “S&M.”

Though Loud does contain its share of good tunes, it lacks the boundary-pushing cuts that permeated Rihanna’s previous albums. Given fans’ and critics’ reactions to Rated R, Loud also listens as an appeasing return to No. 1s such as “Umbrella” and “Take a Bow” rather than reflecting where she may be personally (yes, we’re referring to the Chris Brown incident, on which she’s been quite dismissive and reassuring that she’s fine. We can only take her at her word, but is simply including “Love the Way You Lie (Part II)” with Eminem all she has to say about the situation?). Well, we also aren’t saying she should dwell. Instead, we take Loud as a balance to her last disc’s seemingly dark mood and appreciate the smile-inducing cuts it includes.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “S&M”
2. “What’s My Name?” feat. Drake
3. “Cheers (Drink to That)”
4. “Fading”
5. “Only Girl in the World”
6. “California King Bed”
7. “Man Down”
8. “Raining Men” feat. Nicki Minaj
9. “Complicated”
10. “Skin”
11. “Love the Way You Like (Part II)” feat. Eminem

Christina Aguilera – Keeps Gettin’ Better: A Decade of Hits [Reviews]

Greatest hits collections have become much more prevalent over the last decade. As shelf space in box retailers becomes harder to secure, artists are forced to compile their best-known songs in order to stay relevant in the eyes of the deal-hunting public. Christina Aguilera’s first such disc, initially complete with exclusive distribution at Target, seems to fall prey to this phenomenon.

Now don’t get us wrong ― there are plenty of reasons to pick up this compilation. The defining single “Genie In a Bottle” is here, as is the single/video version of its equally popular cousin, “What a Girl Wants.” Ballads such as “I Turn To You” and “Beautiful” are also present and accounted for, as is the hip-hop banger “Dirrty” with Redman, and the throwback joints “Candyman” and “Ain’t No Other Man.”

Noticeably missing, though, are important songs such as Aguilera’s commercial debut, “Reflection,” and other notable singles such as the “The Voice Within,” “Can’t Hold Us Down,” her pairing with Lil Kim, and anything from 2000’s Mi Reflejo, the Spanish album. You can also forget about legally owning “Lady Marmalade,” Aguilera’s other pairing with Kim, Pink and Mya.

To fill these voids, Aguilera has included four new singles: “Keeps Gettin’ Better” and “Dynamite,” which both have a quality reminiscent of Rihanna’s “Disturbia” or one of the tracks from Lady GaGa’s album; a remix of “Genie In a Bottle” titled “Genie 2.0,” that takes on the same melodic tone of the two new singles; and “You Are What You Are (Beautiful),” a much more mellow take that’s as impassioned as the original.

This collection seems premature, especially given that Aguilera only had three studio albums at the time. Though the decade-spanning set is missing some key elements, it’s still a fun trip down memory lane that reminds us of when we were first introduced to the girl with the powerful pipes. We’ve been hooked ever since, and if the next decade is as full of timeless hits, we may forgive the exclusions.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “Genie In a Bottle”
2. “What a Girl Wants”
3. “I Turn To You”
4. “Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)”
5. “Dirrty” feat. Redman
6. “Fighter”
7. “Beautiful”
8. “Ain’t No Other Man”
9. “Candyman”
10. “Hurt”
11. “Genie 2.0”
12. “Keeps Gettin’ Better”
13. “Dynamite”
14. “You Are What You Are (Beautiful)”

Wynter Gordon – The First Dance [Reviews]

Wynter Gordon made spring and summer special with her single “Dirty Talk.” During and after its success, fans wondered when dance’s new powerhouse would release her debut disc.

The wait is sort of over thanks to The First Dance, an EP collecting 6 upbeat tracks, one of which is a remix of “Dirty Talk.” The Denzal Park version doesn’t fully capture the fun or commercial nature of the original, but it’s no less danceable — or any less worthy of being included in this compilation.

Also present is Gordon’s latest, the Freemasons-produced “Believer,” whose symphonic melody transcends Wynter’s voice into the realm of a religious experience. Rhythm Masters and MYNC‘s “I Feel Love” is a tribute worthy of Donna Summer, as Gordon’s much shorter version perfectly replicates the original’s flavor, while still impressing with the range in Wynter’s voice. This track side by side with “Right Here” (the Famties remix) proves Gordon can keep her dance music diverse.

Speaking of, “Renegade” is a bouncy set-starter that touts pop elements, while David Guetta‘s “Toyfriend” is equally playful and pop radio-ready.

The one major gripe about The First Dance is that it’s too short, especially if the rumor proves true that a full-length is on the way. We would have preferred one whole album, one that included the original “Dirty Talk” and a few of the other stray singles we’ve been hearing over the years. But the album is a good filler for the time being, one that keeps engaging with each rotation.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “Renegade” feat. Static Revenger
2. “Toyfriend” (David Guetta feat. Wynter Gordon)
3. “Believer” [Club Mix Version] (Freemasons feat. Wynter Gordon
4. “I Feel Love” (Rhythm Masters & MYNC feat. Wynter Gordon)
5. “Right Here” (Famties Remix)
6. “Dirty Talk” (Denzal Park Remix)