WOMAN'S WORLD

Guess who tried to quietly leak new music?

On Thanksgiving, Cher put a link on her website to listen to her first new material in twelve years and is now surprised that it is all over the web. Apparently, she wanted to complete the music video before officially releasing the track but now the song, "Woman's World" is being put out earlier than planned. This throbbing dance tune (co-written by Paul Oakenfold) is the title cut from the album due out in January.

Unfortunately, I can't say I'm really feeling Cher's new song as it's much too generic for my taste but I remain optimistic as rumor has it that both Lady Gaga and Pink have contributed songs for the forthcoming album.

Have a listen:

"Woman's World" - Cher

MAJOR HARRIS (1947 - 2012)

The music world has lost another great talent, as Major Harris, the former vocalist with the r&b band, The Delfonics passed away on November 9th.

Harris joined the soul group, (best known for the hit songs, "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" and "La-La (Means I Love You)") in 1971 to replace singer Randy Cain but the group's glory days were behind them. Major Harris struck out on his own in 1975 and had a smash hit with "Love Won't Let me Wait". The song hit number five on the pop chart and went to number one on the r&b chart with the single selling over a half million copies.

After his solo career waned, Harris returned to The Delfonics and toured with the group for many years.

Let's celebrate the memory of this artist with his classic tune:

"Love Won't Let Me Wait" - Major Harris (1975)

TAKE TWO: ROBERT PALMER

British artist, Robert Palmer never came across much of a rock & roller as he was quite dapper, usually performing wearing a suit and the occasional tie but he was more than capable of tearing the roof off with his rich, powerful voice.

Heavily influenced by the American blues and r&b he heard as a kid, Palmer began his music career performing in several rock and jazz-fusion bands before going solo and achieving his first taste of commercial success with the 1978 song, "Every Kinda People" off of his fourth album, "Double Fun". The single reached number sixteen on the U.S. pop chart while the lead single off his next album, "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)" going slightly higher, peaking at number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100 the following year.

Robert Palmer was invited to join Duran Duran members, John Taylor and Andy Taylor along with Chic drummer, Tony Thompson to form a super-group, The Power Station in 1985. Their self-titled album featured two U.S. top-ten smashes, "Some Like It Hot" and a remake of T. Rex's "Bang A Gong (Get It On)".

Around the time of the recording of The Power Station album, Palmer was working on his next solo album with assistance by his fellow bandmates and the record was produced by Bernard Edwards of Chic. "Riptide" was released later in '85 and featured Palmer's only number one song, "Addicted To Love". The song was also made memorable due to the music video which was inspired by the work of artist, Patrick Nagel. A cover of r&b vocalist, Cherrelle's 1984 hit, "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" also made the top five with the album becoming his biggest seller with over two million copies sold and winning the singer a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

Although the world lost Robert Palmer in 2003, his legacy lives on with a vibrant collection of music that still feels very fresh and exciting.

Enjoy two of my favorite songs by Mr. Palmer:

"Every Kinda People" - Robert Palmer (1978)

"You Are In My System" - Robert Palmer (1983)

 As a bonus, I couldn't resist showing the simple but quite clever sexy video for "Addicted To Love":

ELECTION DAY

I think it's safe to say that most people are severely fatigued due to this long Presidential campaign with all of debating, promises, spinning, fact distortions and the endless television commercials trying to sway your opinion.

The day is finally here and a decision will be made. I'm about to get on my soapbox and strongly urge everyone to please get out and VOTE!  This is important and every, single vote counts.

Make your voice heard!

"Election Day" - Arcadia (1985)

THRILLS AND CHILLS

Have a scary Halloween.

HOT AND FRESH OUT THE KITCHEN

"THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE" - PINK

Despite Pink recently becoming a mother, don't think for a moment she's about to become soft and start singing lullabies. On her sixth CD, "The Truth About Love", Pink displays that she's still quite able and willing to rock out with the best of them. The singer co-wrote the entire album with Greg Kurstin (the Grammy nominated producer is also one half of the pop duo, The Bird and the Bee) who also produced a large part of the record.

Her clever first single, "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" has reached the top five on the pop charts and there seems to be plenty of other potential hits to come with artists Lily Rose Cooper (the Brit pop artist formerly known as Lily Allen) and Eminem contributing to some tracks.

"Here Comes The Weekend" - Pink featuring Eminem

Here is the sexy music video for the second single, "Try" with Pink performing some impressive interpretive dance moves:



"PUSH AND SHOVE" - NO DOUBT

No Doubt, the Anaheim-based rock band decided to take some time off after their 2004 tour to pursue solo projects with the most visible being lead vocalist, Gwen Stefani's two highly-successful solo albums. The band, which also features Tony Kanal on bass, Tom Dumont on guitar and drummer, Adrian Young, have reunited for their sixth studio album, "Push and Shove".  With this new record, it feels like time has almost stood still as their sound is still heavily SKA punk influenced. Although there are some contemporary touches throughout however not enough to feel truly fresh.

Here is the new single from the album, "Looking Hot":



"RED" - TAYLOR SWIFT

Although the twenty-two year old, Taylor Swift has become a country music superstar in a very short period of time, she has no interest in resting on this success. With her latest CD, "Red", the singer/songwriter has decided to challenge herself by moving slightly out of her comfort zone and collaborating with talent not usually associated with her musical genre. This appears to have been a smart move as the first single (co-written and produced by pop hit-makers, Max Martin and Shellback), "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" has become her first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

I have to admit I've never been much of a fan as I found her a little too precious but she has grown as an artist and I like much of her new work.

"State of Grace" - Taylor Swift

"TWO ELEVEN" - BRANDY

Brandy is finally back with new music after a four year absence with a new label on RCA Records. The title of her sixth album, "Two Eleven" represents the singer's birthday as well as the date of the tragic death of her good friend and idol, Whitney Houston.

This collection has returned to the feel of the classic Brandy sound much like her hit recordings as a teenager but now comes from the prospective of a mature woman. Passionate and sensual, these songs are cutting-edge r&b with production assistance by Rico Love, Bangladesh and Frank Ocean.

"Wildest Dreams" - Brandy

"FREE DIMENSIONAL" - DIAMOND RINGS

Canadian vocalist, John O'Regan who is better know by his moniker, Diamond Rings first came to attention with his first single, "All Yr Songs" in 2009 that he had written, produced and self-distributed. His debut album, "Special Affections" came out the following year and eventually released on a major label, Astralwerks Records. This lead to him opening for the Swedish pop star, Robyn on her "Body Talk" tour.

The out and proud twenty-seven year old has now returned with his exciting new release, "Free Dimensional" that is heavily inspired by the electro-pop music of the 1980's when he was just an infant. It's a really fun record and it's one of my favorites of the year

"All The Time" - Diamond Rings

"RELEASE ME" - BARBRA STREISAND

One of the most popular and successful recording artists in history, Barbra Streisand has released her latest album appropriately entitled, "Release Me". It features a collection of songs she had recorded throughout her almost fifty years in music but just didn't quite make the cut to be included on any album. Now this material is finally seeing the light of day with songs ranging from Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Jimmy Webb and Randy Newman as well as tunes from Broadway shows including "Finian's Rainbow" and "The Wiz".

In celebration of her spectacular career, the veteran songstress is even on the road with a rare concert tour to promote the album throughout North America.

"Home (From "The Wiz")" - Barbra Streisand

Beyonce's younger sister, Solange is back with some new music. "Losing You" is a funky song with a great video shot in South Africa:

TAKE TWO: KARYN WHITE

Los Angeles native, Karyn White first became noticed when she provided vocals for jazz artist, Jeff Lorber's single, "The Facts of Love" in 1986. This lead to her being signed to Warner Bros. Records and releasing her first self-titled album in 1988 that featured four highly successful singles; "The Way You Love Me", "Superwoman" and "Love Saw It" (a duet with Babyface) each reached number one on the r&b chart with "Secret Rendezvous" making the top ten on both the pop and r&b charts. The album went on to sell over a million copies and White received two Grammy Award nominations for her work.

The follow-up, "The Ritual of Love" was released in 1991 with hit-makers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis producing several tracks. Not only did their collaboration on the lead single, "Romantic" top the pop and r&b charts but during the recording of the album, White and Lewis became romantically involved. The couple married the following year and had a daughter, Ashley. White's next album, "Make Him Do Right" in 1994 was not a great success and soon decided to take some time off to focus on her family.

Now that her daughter is in college, Karyn White has finally decided to return to music and has released her fourth studio album, "Carpe Diem- Seize The Day" after seventeen long years. It is now available on ITunes and her website, Karyn's World

Enjoy two of my favorite classic Karyn White songs:

"The Way You Love Me" - Karyn White (1988)

"The Way I Feel About You" - Karyn White (1991)