The Roots are the band known to listeners of different ages and loved by followers of various genres. They started out as one of hip-hop pioneers and then went on to add touches from other schools. The ability of these musicians to evolve and transfigure their sound is the key to holding on to the elite league for so long. However, many were set to believe that the 2008 release of Rising Down was the last long player in The Roots collection. That was the group’s darkest work that planted seeds of pessimism in the hearts of its numerous fans. There was a widespread opinion that, before leaving the stage for a long-deserved rest, The Roots decided to preach about the stigmas of the contemporary global community. Nevertheless, in less than year, the ensemble premiered a single called How I Got Over that later was announced as the title track to the upcoming full-length effort. How I Got Over is the ninth album from The Roots that puts it more than clear that the band has not sung the sawn song yet, no matter what the age.

Multitude of guest artists and plenty of excellent lyrics

The album is opened by A Piece of Light that may easily fling you into confusion. The Roots have long been reputed for their experiments with rap and modifying it at their will this way or another, but playing modern days jazz with funk marking is something in their arsenal. And then comes the time for The Roots traditional type of music. Walk Alone has a very sad story and understated keys that distract you from anything else so that you do not notice how these keys carry you over to the next Dear God 2.0,one more effort by one more artist to get a straight answer from the Almighty. The songs are different to the largest extent because of the choruses in many cases decorated by the voices of the guest singers. Particularly many parts are entrusted to P.O.R.N., and Dice Raw. You will enjoy the singing of John Legend who did his work for The Fire. The vocals and supreme lyrics often overshadow the hard work done by other participants of the project, specifically ideally timed beats fitting perfectly house parties. Only in the last track of the album, Hustla, beats flow to the top thank to especially heavy and thick basses. This composition does not have much in common with the rest of the material from The Roots; and this, as strange as it sounds, helps you get more focus on the other songs of How I Got Over.

Too early to say good bye

The Roots have only one more step to make to reach the landmark of ten studio albums. We have to admit that today the band’s CD do not sell as massively as they did ten or fifteen years ago; but these musicians have not realized their potential to the last yet, which is proved by their new long player. The subjects raised in the texts of The Roots freshly released album are again connected with issues of religion, politics and culture. Yet, this time, the musicians decided that there is still hope. The lines in the chorus of How I Got Over saying that there must be someone who cares become the motto of the entire album. While the music, arrangements and flawless vocals of How I Got Over remind us that The Roots had the right reason to call themselves a ‘legendary crew’, the lyrics reminds us that although there are many bad things in this world, men must find the inner strength to resist the band fight for the good.

Some new information about upcoming Michael Jackson’s album was revealed. It will feature 10 remastered versions of earlier unreleased songs by late King of Pop. The album is set to hit the stores in November.

It will be produced by Michael Jackson’s brother Jackie and Rodney Jerkins, who is famous for his work with such artists as Britney Spears, Spice Girls, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Janet Jackson, Beyonce and others. Jerkins also produced Michael Jackson’s album Invincible that hit the stores in 2001.

There were rumors earlier that Michael Jackson was working on the new album before his death.

Michael Jackson has died from a heart attack last year on June 25 at the age of 50.



Ben Drew better known as Plan B is an undoubtedly extraordinary personality. The artist had considered himself an outcast since childhood, the father left the family when the boy was only six and he was far from the best pupils at school. When a teenager Ben taught himself to play guitar, wrote love songs with some R&B spirit, but already at the age of 18 he preferred to turn to rap viewing the style as more appropriate for self-expression. In 2006 Plan B released his debut album Who Needs Actions When You’ve Got Words. Both the audience and the critics made a varied acclaim but nobody remained indifferent and he quickly got himself a fan base. Yet soon it turned out that the choice of genre was not definitive for Ben for that time. This winter the single Stay Too Long from Drew’s new album The Defamation Of Strickland Banks was released and it was clear at once – the guy felt obviously too tight in the frames of one direction only and therefore he remembered about what he had started his music path from – about soul and R&B, and surprised everyone with his incredibly beautiful vocals.

The mood changes regularly on The Defamation Of Strickland Banks

One should not that except for music Ben Drew got actively involved in film making, played in a couple of films and took part in writing the soundtrack. The album The Defamation Of Strickland Banks was born exactly with the connection with that interest. Ben initially wanted to create a story of a character suffering from drug addiction, make a film about him and record the album as the official soundtrack to it. Thus The Defamation Of Strickland Banks is a conceptual record, the protagonist is a young singer named Strickland Banks who falls in love, is put in prison for a crime he never committed, goes deep into introspection, prays, is set free and continues his searching of life’s sense. Little by little we learn it all from each of the album’s 13 compositions. The story unveils with the most melodious accompaniment and is told with Plan B’s most pleasant voice with some falsetto elements – from the opener Love Goes Down till the final What Yo Gonna Do you cannot help admiring it. The mood changes regularly depending on the situation in which the main character finds himself. Thus, the single Stay Too Long is one of the most eclectic compositions on the album, whereas a most beautiful soul-number She Said conquers with its sensuality. A very beautiful and powerful song Welcome To Hell opens the series of prison stories, and it is only the third track from the end, Free, on which liberation finally occurs. Closer to the album’s finale a little melancholic atmosphere reigns on I Know A Song, making it clear that happy endings are for kids, and the things are much more complicated in the real life.

Not just an album but a complete romance

It is an interesting fact that Ben has actually invented his pseudonym because he was not willing to sing sweet R&B songs anymore and changed his plans for hip-hop. So at first one may think he has made a kind of step back. The point is, however, that the album concept would be even more understandable if The Defamation Of Strickland Banks was a hip-hop album, and this makes it even more unusual. Some of the compositions do contain a bit of Plan B’s rapping but the album’s general slant is rather romantic. The protagonist thinks of his ups and downs, suffers and reflects a great deal. Simple and complicated tunes, contagious beats and high level arrangements will not make you feel bored, and when the album comes to a full stop you realize that you have actually listened to a complete romance. In one of his interviews Plan B told that he plans to record a hip-hop album in the nearest future so those fans anticipating can be reassured and those who are just getting acquainted with this unique artist will surely appreciate The Defamation Of Strickland Banks as it deserves.

Alexandra Zachernovskaya

Sir Paul McCartney shared his opinion about upcoming UK general election day, which is set for May 6. Ex-The Beatles member claimed that he felt dissatisfied with all three candidates for prime-minister position – Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg and David Cameron. He also wished he had an opportunity to vote for Barack Obama.

«I’m not awfully impressed with the people who are in it. You know, I want a Barack Obama. If Obama was running here I think I’d be able to say: «Yeah, change, this is good, this is something different». That is what I want», said he.

Paul McCartney also claimed that he was recently invited to Houses Of Parliament to watch debates: «It was a very boring debate. But that’s not the point, it’s kind of seeing democracy at work».

Last week Paul McCartney announced that Concord Music Group company would reissue all his solo records, including the last studio effort Memory Almost Full. It will also re-release all albums by his side project Wings. Plans concerning another his side project, The Fireman, are unknown.

Susan Boyle’s second studio album may feature a duo with American hip-hop star. According to the reports by British press, singer’s label Syco is currently in talks with unnamed US rapper.

A source in Syco told The Sunday Mirror: «They are looking at ballads and more musical style stuff, but this time around they want to try to make her a recording artist – original material, and giving Susan a chance to show what she’s really all about. She’s got an opportunity to find herself and she loves all sorts of music – including rap».

Last month US rapper Snoop Dogg promised to record a duo with Susan Boyle. Artist said he was admiring Susan Boyle’s talent and added he was sure that it would be easy for them to get along.

«Susan Boyle is a great artist. I’m looking forward to going into the studio with her. Why not? We’re going to get our minds together and figure out what we’re going to sing about. I’m down with that. There isn’t much I can’t do», claimed he.

Susan Boyle came to international public attention last spring after performing song I Dreamed A Dream at the Britain’s Got Talent TV show. Although not a professional singer, she quickly became known for her powerful voice. Her debut album I Dreamed A Dream became the fastest-selling record of 2009 in the UK.

Singer is set to start the recording of the new album within few weeks.

Shortcuts from three songs by Katy Perry have leaked online yesterday. Thirty-second fragments from the tracks In Between, California Gurls and E.T., were posted on one of the music service sites.

One of the tracks, California Gurls, is a collaboration between Katy Perry and US rapper Snoop Dogg. It is set to be released on May 25 as a first single from Katy’s new studio album.

Earlier Katy Perry revealed that her record was inspired by ABBA as well as by The Cardigans’ hit Love Fool. Singer added that upcoming record would be more «dancing» than the previous one, One For The Boy.

«It is more groove ridden and more making people dance because when I went on tour, as much as I love all the in-between songs, I felt I was missing some of the stuff that made people bounce up and down and I really love that feeling when people are all jumping in unison», claimed she.

Katy Perry is currently recording new album in Los Angeles with Dr Luke, who also produced One For The Boy.

Shakira is the world’s most popular Latin musician, says the special research by Ovi Nokia web service. Singer, who released new album She Wolf last year, topped the chart based on the music sales in more than 35 countries.

Colombian born singer was followed by Mexican singer Alejandro Fernandez and pop band Camila. The chart also features Mariah Carey’s former boyfriend Luis Miguel.

Last week it was announced that song Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) by Shakira has been chosen FIFA as the official anthem of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The singer will perform her composition at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Johannesburg on June 10. She will also take part in the closing ceremony on July 11.

At the same time, Shakira, Alicia Keys and The Black Eyed Peas are set to perform at the upcoming concert at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg. This event will take place to mark the start of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The show is scheduled for June 10 – the day before the official opening ceremony.

Lady Gaga will act in the next film by Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino, says MTV News. According to the reports, the singer has met with Tarantino recently, and Kill Bill creator asked her to play main role in his new movie.

Unnamed source, close to the director, told MTV News: «Quentin is a huge fan of Lady GaGa and loves her whole personality. He has already sounded her out on a couple of projects, one of which would see her playing an assassin».

Last year Lady GaGa revealed that she was eager to become a movie star. The spokesperson by the singer said: «She sees acting as a natural progression in her career. She has the drive and confidence to make it big as an actress».

Singer has recently released nine-minute video for her new single Telephone, which also features Beyonce.

The music industry history has a number of cases when some of young performers could be sure about commercial success of their upcoming debut records even without having any official releases made before. The 23-year-old singer Ellie Goulding seems to have come from this very category as she may have no worries about the sales of her first long player, Lights. The conditions for growing the audience’s interest to her music and personality as well as gathering a huge following was nicely prepared. And the reason is that Ellie topped the BBC Sound Of 2010 rating, a massive poll to find the most promising young performers. After signing her first professional contract with a musical label, the singer prepared her debut CD within a very short period of time and released it early in 2010. Working in the field of pop-music, Goulding does not look to crush stereotypes or arrange a revolution. Her goal now is to release a powerful and emotional album with catchy melodies and vocals that would become her distinctive character.

Pop music plus something else

Lights is a sheer pop music product. The folder features the singer’s face as her name catches your attention much faster than the title of the record. Indeed, the purpose of the CD is, first of all, promoting the Ellie Goulding trademark and then her music. Ten tracks together last less than forty minutes; and this is not as bad as one might think in the beginning. In the end, a good album that has no fillers does not have to be longer. The featured songs have two standout hits, the singles Starry Eyed, and Under The Sheets. Both are placed in the first half of the album, which secures it an impressive start. Fascinated by such a good beginning, the listener is destined to want to listen it up to the end. The Writer, and Every Time You Go betray Goulding musical roots. These piano-ridden compositions reveal tangible folk-music influence, a media where Ellie feels herself especially comfortable. The album’s closing track goes even farther aside from pop-music standards. Salt Skin –is the longest track here and has a singular futuristic atmosphere with a wide range of particular sounds as if stolen from the life of an unknown city from the times far ahead of today.

Live up to the expectations of millions

Lights is a perfect explanation why it was Ellie Goulding who found herself number one in the list of the best young performers compiled according to the views of a great deal of musical critics. It has little to do with her singing. The girl has a pleasant voice to hear, yet you could manage to find those who could beat here in this game. The same goes with her appearance. She looks amazing, but the musical stage has always been flooded by beauties. Experts and ordinary listeners regarded highly Goulding’s other qualities too. Listening to her debut album leaves a very powerful impression similar to the ones produced by the works of experienced masters. It appears so that Goulding possesses a unique instinct, so rare for her age, that helps her to know the best way for each and every song to sound. All her voice intonations form a perfect match to the music content and lyrical meanings of her tracks. As an author, she demonstrates fantastic confidence when it comes to the choice of the right words for expressing her thoughts. You will never suspect her of stealing someone else’s ideas or singing about what never concerns her. And you have to admit, in pop-music, many act just the opposite way. Sure, the first place in a BBC poll is a great honor and grand pleasure. But, on the other hand, it’s a huge responsibility too. Ellie Goulding was supposed to release something much more than just a debut album. This work had to justify all the trust that was put in her, prove her ambitions and talent. Lights seems exactly to do so.

Alex Bartholomew

The artists of the British trip-hop collective Massive Attack do not hurry up with releases and do not try to satisfy the needs of recording companies. Haste makes waste is their credo. This time they needed seven long years to create a new disc. Between the studio attempts, the artists issued the best songs compilation in order to cheer the fans and to draw a line in their career – however, such a lengthy pause can be baldly called risky. Well, such cult-making command as Massive Attack, can afford even such tricks with the listeners. The work over the new long-play was started in the far 2005, and finished only in 2009. The record of this disc was made with the irreplaceable Daddy G and D, vocalist Horace Andy and other guest performers. Such famous artists as Patty Smith and David Bowie were credited to take place in the labor, but finally they did not collaborate with Massive Attack. Tricky and Tom Waits also did not take place as it was planned – however, the recording sessions gave an excellent result even without these guest celebrities. The new disc Heligoland, called so in honor of a German archipelago, will present the listeners with ten astonishing and thrilling tracks in the recognizable stylistics of the band – the songs are so typical of Massive Attack that you are not going to mix them with anything.

Professionalism and intelligence

Dramatic and frightening, filled with the otherworldly atmosphere, these songs create an illusion that the Massive Attack musicians did not make a break in their career for several years. The album opens with the magnificent and pedestrian track Pray For Rain with Tunde Adebimpe on vocals – his voice is wisely tinted with dark and gloomy harmonies. The song Babel follows up with the tender and tuneful vocals by Martina Topley-Bird, and her singing is perfectly contrasted with the harsh beat. From the first seconds of the politically-versed single Splitting The Atom you are going to see that its minimalism is deceptive – this soul-grasping composition is really intensive and tense. Decorated with the sounds of horns and drums, the tune Girl I Love You will remind the listeners of the previous works by Massive Attack, it is fulfilled in their classical style. It is followed by a cute due to Topley-Bird’s vocals track Psyche. The song Paradise Circus with the voice of Hope Sandoval is undoubtedly one of the brightest spots on the whole record – it possesses the memorable bass line, hesitating piano and handclaps, while the climax of the song is keenly stressed by the strings. Such tracks, as Rush Minute, brought back the elements of blues into Massive Attack’s songs – this personal composition, decorated by Robert Del Naja’s voice, goes about the love for life in the mature age. The disc finished with the slow-tempo composition Atlas Air, in which the artists show themselves in their best form and make us sure that they do not need guest vocalists to stay marvelous.

One more successful work

It is well known that any really popular and possessing identity band will always have copycats. For seven years that passed after the release of the last studio fulfillment by Massive Attack to the issue of Heligoland, the artists were unsuccessfully copied so many times that it will be hard to count all the attempts. However, no one was able to create something as charming and mesmerizing as the Massive Attack’s opuses. One of the reasons for it is that only a few musicians have the colossal experience equal to this band’s, and the habit to work in the ensemble without any remorse for one selves – the artists can spend days and nights in the studio, working over the new material until perfection is reached. Seven years passed, and Daddy G with 3D recorded Heligoland, thus presenting the world with the new full-length in their original manner. Professionalism, intelligent approach and smooth team work resulted in a gorgeous and monolith disc. Besides, the members of Massive Attack added elements of rock and blues on Heligoland, which lacked on 100th Window, and it gave the record the shades on soulfulness and liveliness. Although the disc can not boast of many experiments, it did not spoil it. The record is a big and strong comeback on the scene for a band that was absent for more than five years.

Ninelle Kazakoff