Music Trend Setters Blog

Gwen Stefani's Sweet Escape

Gwen Stefani's new album "The Sweet Escape" will be out on Dec. 5.  It will include new colaborations with Akon, No Doubt's Tony Kanal, and Dave Stewart. The first single "Wind It Up" is produced by the Neptunes.

According to her website: “This album is surprisingly different than the last one. I started recording it last year before Kingston was born and it’s definitely evolved over the last year. The dance sound is very ‘now.’ It’s modern…not so retro,” says the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter.

Gwen gave a sneak preview of her new single "Wind It Up" on Oct. 24 on Z100 in NYC and KISS FM in LA. It is very different from what we expected, but it's often hard to have an opinion on a first listen. It is now available on iTunes.

By the way, there are also talks of a U.S. tour starting in April.

Once Again... John Legend

One can only imagine the pressure of putting a second album out, when the first one was met with so much approval and validation, by the industry and the public at large. So, just to make sure John Legend did not feel lonely on his road to his second album he called Kanye West, will.i.am, Sa-Ra, Raphael Saadiq, and many more talented artists. Some of our favorites include the single "Save Room", "Stereo", and "Another Again". We hope you will enjoy the entire album as much as we do, and that after listening to this collaboration-filled album, you will walk away feeling that the only thing John Legend needs to really impress us is... a piano.

One last thing, he is currently touring the US, and the show is getting great reviews...

MJ's Return to... Music!

Could it be that Michael Jackson is about to make headlines, and that these will be about nothing but new music? This would be very good for many reasons, and the teaser below reminds all of us to "Keep The Faith" as the complete interview of Michael Jackson on Access Hollywood will air on November 2nd...

The only news to have surfaced so far is that Jackson and will.i.am are in an Ireland studio, working on Jackson's next album.

Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got

Jay-Z new album will be released on Nov. 21, and it's supposed to be as good as the last one, which was supposed to be the last one. In any case it's called "Kingdom Come" - named after Superman novel which features the man of steel returning from retirement to lead the old guard against the misguided new regime. Every track we've heard so far is fabulous. Especially the title track "Kingdom Come".

Aaron Neville Brings It Home

In Aaron Neville's first release since Hurricane Katrina "Bring It on Home...The Soul Classics", the much respected artist demonstrated how the worst pains in life can bring out the best in some people. Most of the 13 songs are familiar to all of us, four are duets (with Mavis Staples on "Respect Yourself," Chaka Khan on "Let's Stay Together," Art Neville and David Sanborn for "People Get Ready," and Chris Botti on "Rainy Night in Georgia"). With this kind of ingredients, the Louisiana native has cooked up something that does in fact bring it on home.

Conya Doss's Love Rain Down

On her third disc, Love Rain Down, the compelling songbird Conya Doss pours passion and appealing eccentricity into a dozen stunningly inventive jams that reflect quintessential soul music infused with a pinch of subtle funk. "I think this new album is very unconventional and takes me out of the 'neo-soul' box. The music is more like a tribute and a praise to icons I grew up listening to such as Bonnie Raitt, Doobie Brothers and Jane Child." While feel-good harmonies can be found sprinkled throughout this delightful musical journey, especially on "Those Were The Days", "Call Me" and the title track, "Love Rain Down," it's Conya's magical ability to deliver a potent mixture of confessional, bittersweet and meaningful lyrics with childlike charm.

Love Rain Down is expansive mood music to the fullest; the soundtrack to the intellectual and emotional thoughts of Conya Doss's mind. Each tune is effortlessly strong and beautiful, capturing the exuberance of finding love, as well as the disappointment associated with losing it. The mid-west native encompasses far more than infectious rhythms and silken-voiced hits, she establishes her own definite sound instead of following radio trends. As the author and performer of one of the year's most critically-anticipated albums, Conya Doss punctuates the fact that she is a mesmerizing force of nature who has successfully rid herself of any mis-used genre labels. She is just as comfortable with lascivious R&B wails as she is with gospel-themed fare. Composing yet another intricately crafted and cohesive body of work that illuminates her unequaled musicianship, Conya Doss only scratches the surface of what she is capable of.
In a time when many pop stars have become further and further removed from the folks that they speak to with their custom made looks and unattainable lifestyles, Conya Doss remains a tender, tough, self-possessed young lady who puts her community before commercial concerns. When summing up what her music is about, Conya Doss offers a simple answer: “Life in general.” Not just hers, but ours as well.

Source: http://www.conyadoss.com/

Catch a Legend Live

Catch John Legend's tour if you can. He performed last week at the Royal Albert Hall in London a show that is probably very similar to what the US tour below should sound like...

October 26th - Washington , DC - Hilton Washington
October 27th - Atlantic City , NJ - Borgata
October 28th - Philadelphia , PA - Electric Factory
October 30th - New York City , NY - Nokia Theatre
October 31st - Baltimore , MD - Rams Head
November 4th - Boston , MA - Avalon
November 5th - Washington , DC - Cramton Auditorium
November 6th - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
November 8th - Detroit , MI - State Theatre
November 9th - Chicago , IL - Riviera
November 10th - Minneapolis , MN - Quest
November 13th - Boulder , CO - Fox
November 14th - Salt Lake City , UT - Harry O's
November 16th - Los Angeles , CA - Wiltern
November 18th - San Francisco , CA - TBA
November 20th - San Diego , CA - House of Blues
November 21st - Anaheim , CA - House of Blues
November 22nd - Phoenix , AZ - Celebrity Theatre
November 24th - Dallas , TX - Gypsy Ballroom
November 25th - Houston, TX - House of Blues
November 27th - Orlando, FL - House of Blues
November 28th - Ft. Lauderdale , FL - Revolution / Hard Rock
November 30th - Atlanta , GA -Tabernacle
December 1st - Charlotte , NC - Tabernacle
December 2nd - Norfolk , VA - Norva

Prince will Perform at the Rio, Vegas

Originally announced as a potential one-weekend engagement, Prince is now rumored to start a 3 month stint at the Rio Hotel in Vegas (his website is the only hint). Our source told us that the Harrah's Casino (which owns the Rio) is counting on this event to start by early November.

Only 2 new songs for U2's upcoming release

If you were hoping for a new album, you are going to have to wait a little longer. U2 will release on 11/21 a compilation with 16 of their best songs. It will also include a new song and a cover of Scottish punk band the Skids' "The Saints Are Coming" with Green Day.