What’s so remarkable about Paris-based Nyolo’s latest CD is how organic and effervescent the melody-rich music is, whether it’s steeped in the bikutsi rhythm of the singer’s Cameroon homeland or fired by other Afro-pop influences, including highlife. It’s the former Zap Mama member’s return-home project, where she hooks up and collaborates with local musicians […]
Lead singer of ’90s mainstream chart-topper SWV, Coko returns with a gospel project that is nothing short of stunning. Her singular soprano still soars from subtle to supernatural, and strong, substantive material shows her still to be one of the era’s most gifted vocalists. Smash producers (Warryn Campbell, Donald Lawrence and Shep Crawford, among […]
The original “A Chorus Line” soundtrack set the standard for musical theater at a time when the genre was long past its mainstream prime. Chronicling its Broadway revival, some performances here are almost paint-by-numbers covers of the originals, particularly “I Can Do That,” while others pale in comparison, namely “What I Did for Love.” […]
From the disco-era “Entourage” to new “Icebox,” it seems Omarion is experimenting heavily on upcoming sophomore effort “21.” So did Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake, and what those two have in common is a Timbaland hit: “Promiscuous” and “SexyBack” both topped the Billboard Hot 100. Omarion might have another on his hands if listeners can […]
After unleashing her desires and frustrations, respectively, in “Deja Vu” and “Ring the Alarm,” Beyonce finally settles down enough to make a sensible record. The high-octane belter shows fortitude in “Irreplaceable,” a vocal-centric cut that finds her ditching a no-good beau with stinging lyrics (”Everything you own in a box to the left”). The song […]
Gwen Stefani admitted on MTV that her upcoming “The Sweet Escape” comprises leftovers from her first solo album. Really, she shouldn’t have. “Wind It Up” sets another new low for high-octane acts releasing some of the year’s most irritating music. This jam is so monotone and melody-free that it makes Fergie’s similarly cast “London Bridge” […]
Chris Isaak is talented, handsome, enduring — and yet the hits have inexplicably eluded him so many times. He reaches out once again with another single from his “Best of Chris Isaak,” a frathouse-worthy, rockabilly-infused cover of Cheap Trick’s 1979 top 10 signature “I Want You to Want Me.” As he often does, Isaak meshes […]
This talented foursome’s first Equity single peaked at No. 9 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, and the last one, the sultry ballad “Bring It On Home to Me,” hit No. 3. This new outing could be the one that rings the bell for Little Big Town’s Kimberly Roads, Jimi Westbrook, Philip Sweet and Karen […]
After scoring big at radio with the epic rock of “Dani California” and the crisp funk of “Tell Me Baby,” the Red Hot Chili Peppers ready the third single from the colossal “Stadium Arcadium.” One of the album’s catchiest tracks, “Snow” is a bittersweet pop tune driven by a seductively serpentine melody, which curls and […]
30 Seconds to Mars proved its potency with rock hit “The Kill (Bury Me).” Now it digs into the meat of debut album “A Beautiful Lie” to retain its radio stronghold. “From Yesterday” builds on a soothing synth hum and erratic drums before swelling into a reach-for-the-sky chorus with sprawling guitars that veer between angst […]
30 Seconds to Mars proved its potency with rock hit “The Kill (Bury Me).” Now it digs into the meat of debut album “A Beautiful Lie” to retain its radio stronghold. “From Yesterday” builds on a soothing synth hum and erratic drums before swelling into a reach-for-the-sky chorus with sprawling guitars that veer between angst […]
Dance goddess Amber has become the most consistent hitmaker in the genre during the past decade or so, with seven No. 1 hits and another six top 10s, thanks in large part to a take-charge business acumen. But make no mistake, the artistry remains face-forward, thanks to her indefatigable talent at crafting singable, skyscraping melodies […]
The light and the darkness in Los Angeles’ historic rock bands are much on display this week in two 40th anniversary celebrations.
On Wednesday night at UCLA’s Royce Hall, Brian Wilson was scheduled to deliver what likely will be the last live L.A. performance of the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds.” That sublime 1966 album was rereleased […]
Prince fans, fire up that Little Red Corvette and head for Las Vegas: the purple one will be performing there every weekend starting Nov. 10.
The diminutive rocker will play Friday- and Saturday-night shows at 3121, a nightclub inside the Rio hotel, according to a Wednesday news release by P R Plus, a Vegas firm […]
