TAPE DECK SHUFFLE

The playlist of our favourite songs this week. 'Side A' features some latest cuts, while the classics make the 'B Side'.



SIDE A

KANYE WEST-POWER: The first single off Kanye's latest classic album is still electric. First it gave power to 'The Social Network' trailer and now it has showed it's cinematic quality yet again by being the perfect soundscape for the trailer of the new Bradley Cooper movie 'Limitless'. Truly powerful.

LUPE FIASCO-THE SHOW GOES ON: Speaking of electric, fellow Chi-town rapper Lupe Fiasco's new album 'Lasers' is exactly that and this lead single is the perfect marching band, rally tune for NCAA Basketball's March Madness.

NELLY Feat KELLY ROWLAND-GONE: This celebrity couple are heating up the video circuit with their second major collaboration and this sexy track should cause them more 'Dilemmas', the good type of ones.

R.E.M.-BLUE: This groups latest album 'Collapse Into Now' is one of their best in years and this concluding track is deep, epic and evoking. From Stipe's poetry to the haunting vocals of Patti Smith. 'Blue' is clearly one of the best groups of all-time's greatest songs.

NICKI MINAJ-RIGHT THROUGH ME: The greatest female M.C. of the moment keeps proving how good she is with her great debut, 'Pink Friday'. Still on this former single we really see clearly how deep her talent gets.

SIDE B

JAY-Z-HEART OF THE CITY (AINT NO LOVE): Speaking of Kanye, he and his mentor Jay-Z will 'Watch The Throne' soon with their collaboration project, but let's take it back to 'The Blueprint' of this legendary performance with this hip-hop classic.

THE FUGEES-READY OR NOT: Speaking of hip-hop classics how about this gem? Now this is one act that need to get back together. Now if Lauryn Hill can return like she has surely they can all settle 'The Score'.

INCUBUS-OIL & WATER: Break-ups are break-ups however, black and white or grey areas pending and this metaphorical gem from this legendary Los Angeles act paints it perfectly.

CARL THOMAS-I WISH: Now 'I Wish' for another album from Mr. Thomas. This R&B legend is another guy that needs to return to the airwaves because this break-up lament was pure, controlled emotion and soul. Mature and diligent.

112-CUPID: Perhaps the arrow of this fellow, former Bad Boy Records act could pinpoint some sort of return too. A slow, sweet number perfect for those mixtapes or special evenings. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

REVIEW: R.E.M.: COLLAPSE INTO NOW

4/5

The rapid eyes have it in motion.

With their 15th studio album after 31 years in the industry, R.E.M. may look even older, but their sound has remained young, fresh never tired. Every one of this acts albums have been great and there are just too many classic long players to choose from. All the way from their 'New Adventures In Hi-Fi' to L.P.'s that are 'Automatic For The People'. Classic songs including 'Everybody Hurts' and 'Losing My Religion' have defined not only the band but the incredible 90's decade of popular music. This band is so popular and familiar that although it doesn't seem like three years since their last release they are always sorely missed during hiatus and warmly welcomed on their return between fans and industry critics alike. Following 2008's 'Accelerate' and a great tour the band re-unite with the albums producer Jacknife Lee, fast-forwarding their sound even further for old tape-decks and new iPods alike with this weeks release 'Collapse Into Now'.

This alternative act had a lot of choices for this set's inspiration. Recording in Berlin, Germany, Nashville, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana to expand their already wide world sound. This new sound kicks off, live in stereo with the upbeat, uplifting 'Discover', where the band find the help of Patti Smith for some additional vocals. Then the group give more of their effort to the great rock and roll number, 'All The Best'. As he band step into second-gear it's clear their going to stay right on track.

Now how about the singles? The cheekily sweet 'Mine Smell Like Honey' is traditional, 'Monster' era R.E.M. with great lyrics like "I would dare you, but I know I don’t need to/You’re going to do just what you want to/You’re going to take the leavings here at the fairground/You’re going to sing the praises of your fruit". While the great, German inspired third single 'Überlin' is a typical, timeless slow, sublime, beautiful ballad. Still it's the second single co-wrote by Scott McCaughey, 'Oh My Heart' that stands first and foremost amongst the rest. Bursting through with it's trumpet and sousaphone marching band feel with some real March Madness to begin this month.

Then the legendary act further their legacy with Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder for the stellar, stunning collaboration 'It Happened Today'. Vedder's haunting vocals make this a shining jam worth it's weight in pearls. It's little wonder the band have made 12 video clips to go with these 12 songs because they are all huge with a cinematic edge to them. The motivating 'Everyday is Yours To Win' could see itself in some movies or writers work playlists for years to come. Truly inspiring.

As the album heads to it's fall, this first quarter release ignites the start of the year even more with the piano fuelled led potency of 'Walk it Back'. This track that harks back to other R.E.M. slow burners steps in the direction of greatness. As Stipe classically croons "something needs to change", one things for certain, he and his band needn't. Then on the alliteration rocker 'Alligator, Aviator, Autopilot, Antimatter' the group show despite age, their amazing, appealing attitude is still apparent after 'Automatic', 'Adventures' all the way to their recent 'Around The Sun' and 'Accelerate'.

On 'That Someone is You' Stipe gets to his point quicker then he did on 'The End of the World' verses but on a precision, point track it all feels fine. Referencing 'Scarface' and Al Pacino the group then get theatrical on 'Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and I'. A track enigmatic and interesting like the great actor was. Still, however as Patti Smith rejoins the three-piece for the closer and a 'Discover' reprise, R.E.M. save their best for last with 'Blue'. As classic as the Joni Mitchell album of the same name this deep, dark spoken word number really harks back to the early days of the band when the hair was on Michael Stipe's head, not his chin. Stipe may aswell have his 'Orange Crush' megaphone, as this rally cry refuses to yield with lyrics like, "I don't mark my times with dates, holidays, fate, wisdom, luck" as the group inspire and refuse to be moved or changed all at the same time. This is a notion that has kept this 'best band in the world' so relevant and so alive in the industry for all these decades and albums. As R.E.M. refuse to fall in line they still remain accepted even to this modern-day. 'Collapse Into Now' is a truly great disc to add to an incredible growing discography. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

ALBUM SELECT OF THE WEEK: R.E.M.: UP

R.E.M. are one of the greatest bands ever, period and now even over 30 years and 15 albums deep their still moving at a fast pace with no sign of being put to sleep. These old timers can still rock with the young ones with timeless, classic rock. In celebration of their new album 'Collapse Into Now' coming out this week (keep it here for the review) lets drop a classic L.P. For our 'Album Select Of The Week', but which one? There's too many ('Automatic For The People', 'Life's Rich Pageant', etc), but were going to go with the criminally underrated 'Up' from the group who have nothing but great material for the record. Sure the band lost their drummer Bill Berry before this record, but they didn't lose a step. Sure this album was haunting and deeply experimental, but it worked and sent shock waves through your stereo. From the energising, kick-off 'Lotus' to the truly sad, man-tear inducing single 'Daysleeper'. It didn't stop there as the proud, inspiring 'Walk Afraid' and the uplifting, higher-powered 'Your In The Air' and 'Falls To Climb' blessed and breathed this out of this world album the second-wind that ensured it didn't meet gravity. Every track, break, interlude and beat fitted together perfectly on a complex but classically concise and crafted courageous conceptual album. After this disc, R.E.M. Where really 'at their most beautiful'. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

TAPE DECK SHUFFLE

The playlist of our favourite songs this week. 'Side A' features some latest cuts, while the classics make the 'B Side'.

SIDE A

DRAKE Feat T.I.-FANCY: Drake is still being thanked a year after his debut album dropped and this fashionable cut with T.I. is a real banger, shouting out independent women and late, fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Also with a wardrobe change in flow and pace halfway through, this really is a stylish cut.

T.I. Feat DRAKE-POPPIN' BOTTLES: Drake returns the favour as he guests on host Tip's party track. This celebration is classy and flashy a the two formidable flowers bring their Jay-Z game. There's just something about Drake's boomshackalacka rhyme however that makes everything else not matter.

TIMBALAND Feat LYRICA ANDERSON-MENTALLY: Timbaland continues making Thursdays like Thanksgiving with his free weekly downloads. This cut of a few weeks back tracks Timbaland's incredible potential in urban-pop and discovering new talent.

GINUWINE-FROZEN: Tim's former superfriend Ginuwine remains the same-ol G with this beautiful R&B ballad of his personal new album 'Elgin'. This chilling account of a relationship still in situation critical receives praise for it's shuddering vocals and chilling lyrics. Cool and as ice cold as 3000 Andre's.

TANK-EMERGENCY: Ginuwine's super-group, TGT partner Tank is also on a hot streak with his new album. This super, sublime second-single worthy track shows that the writers solo career is in no state of emergency. Tank has rolled in and made the never now.

SIDE B

R.E.M.-I'VE BEEN HIGH: With the rapid eye movement's releasing a new album (stay posted for the posting) and having the 'Album Select Of The Week' (see below) AMP's & 808's, 'Artist Of The Week' could fill both sides of this feature with their classics. Still this 'Reveal' album and live favourite makes the cut. I once sung it word for word to an old girlfriend at the groups 'Accelerate' tour of 2008. Why? Because just like her it's nothing short of beautiful.

CEE-LO GREEN Feat TIMBALAND-I'LL BE AROUND: before he told the world 'F%$@# You' or before he had crazy success as one half of Gnarles Barkley the Dungeon Family and Goodie Mob played a chart-winning hand and rolled out this classic beat knocker with Timbaland's one of a kind production acting as the ace in the hole.

PETE YORN & SCARLETT JOHANNSON-I AM THE COSMOS: When she's not making movies sell or men swoon the red hot Scarlett is making hit records. Releasing a classic duet L.P. with one of this generations greatest singer/songwriters, Pete Yorn. This cover was the best take on an incredible album. Out of this world and uplifting.

LUPE FIASCO Feat SNOOP DOGG- HI-DEFINITION: Lupe's electric new album 'Lasers' is out this week. Make sure you cop it and while your at it check out Snopp Dogg's 'Puff Puff Pass Tuesday's' for your downloads and mixtape burning. Still on this smoking and lightening track both M.C.s showed they where HD ready before all of this. A real stand-out.

MICHAEL JACKSON-ANOTHER PART OF ME: What can you say about this man that hasn't already been said. Well how about another idea? Just listen instead and as soon as this song starts you'll be dancing like Chris Tucker at the start of 'Rush Hour'. Truly explosive. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

1 IN 10: RIHANNA Featuring EMINEM: LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE (PART II)

('1 IN 10' is a series that looks at the best track of the month, here's March)



Rihanna is the Katherine Higel of the music industry, she has a hit out almost every week, she will always be on the radio everyday for that matter. The mainstream queen has taken over Beyonce and is giving Lady Gaga a run for her billion, dollar money as the industries new Madonna. Her new album 'Loud' is screaming with hits from 'Ooh naa, naa's' to ex-rated video's. Still one song that hasn't been releases, needs to be and is are '1 In 10' song of the month for March. Normally part two's or remix's aren't worth their salt and never get released but Rihanna's take on Eminem and her hit 'Love The Way You Lie' is epic. Switching roles with Rhi, Rhi host and Em guest, 'Love The Way You Lie (Part II)' is deeper, darker, sung-better and rapped better then the original. Believe that. From cinematic, hard-hitting production to haunting vocals and sneering lyrics, all goose bumps and arm hairs will stand to attention when Rihanna sings "So maybe I'm a masochist" right before Marshall Mathers devours the track with a signature serious sixteen. If you copped 'Loud' late last year, this song is no new thing or surprise but it's time it got released. It really is better then 'part one' and that was the biggest and best song of last year. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

REVIEW: LUPE FIASCO: LASERS

3.5/5

Let's hope this isn't Lupe's end with this lightening release.

Ever since Lupe Fiasco kicked and pushed his way into the music game with his debut 'Food & Liquor' he has provided the industry with refreshing, food for thought rhymes. Giving Chicago rap it's second-wind along with Kanye West, Common and Twista, Chi-town's finest has established his own legend while standing in the shadow of greatness in rap like Scottie Pippen did in basketball. After his classic debut, the geeked out of this world M.C didn't slump with his sensationally versatile, superior sophomore release, 'The Cool' . An album named after one of the best tracks off his first album.

Lupe's first two discs came in rapid succession, but his third and supposed last (which originally was meant to be a three disc set entitled 'Lupe3nd' or 'The Great American Rap album') was stuck on the shelf between label problems and release date push backs. Still the Bruce Willis, die-hard, lobbying fans have been tied over by things like Lupe's supergroup with Kanye and Pharrell (Children Of The Corn) or like-minded, like-talented rappers (Kid Cudi). Now, however the firm fiasco is finally back with a truly great American rap album, 'Lasers'. A stunning effort, aimed to raise the spirit of the down-trodden and so called 'losers'. Losers they are not as Lupe heralds them as 'Lasers' with a strobe striking metaphor.

So after a potential three disc was left on the cutting room floor, there was one and with a concise, 12 song set the Linkin Park of hip-hop starts with The Future produced, 'Letting Go'. With a distorted voice Lupe sounds unrecognisable but unmistakeably great as he brings beautifully talented protegee, Sarah Green along for the ride. After that Fiasco brings aboard, Youtube star and rising talent Skylar Grey for 'Words I Never Said'. The star in the making-who barely has any press photos-but has blessed the massive Diddy Dirty Money single 'Coming Home' and the Dr. Dre and Eminem cut, 'I Need A Doctor' takes it further to the galaxy of stars on this futuristic, introspective hip-hop cut.

Then on the Needlez produced 'Till I Get There', Lupe takes it back to the old-school to a fine point, with a precision perfect, uplifting jam. If you want to talk about uplifting, the inspiring 'The Show Goes On' picks up where 'Superstar' left off almost an unbelievable, half decade back. The hip-hop hero saves the charts life with a super single, making it feel like his star-talent never left the mainstream even though it's been four, long...long years. With every verse Fiasco takes the inspiration higher with lines like "One in the air for the people that ain’t here/Two in the air for the father that’s there/Three in the air for the kids in the ghetto/Four for the kids who don’t wanna be there". No matter how high this song scales the charts, it has unparalleled height in heart.

There is great developing talent, production on this album and guest spots from everyone from British rapper Sway to Mr. 'Steal Your Girl', Trey Songz. Still it's when Fiasco forms with up and coming producer The Future, or ecstasy feel-good artist MDMA where things look their best brightest. Both combine with Lupe on 'Beautiful Lasers (2 Ways)' for the perfect hip-hop menage. Still despite the great guest spots in support, it's the superstar that illuminates the track like neon on a Las Vegas night. Lupe then raises his game to an even higher note on 'Coming Up'. Over Dr. Dre esque piano the rapper proves he has more bounce with every ounce of his rhymes. On the cut 'Break The Chain', Fiasco goes to his underground, 'Blackout' flow and beat riding or a stunning track.

The clean, anarchy painted artwork of 'Lasers' is reminiscent of the arty Jay-Z video 'On To The Next One' and with the song 'All Black Everything' Lupe borrows a famous line from the track of his mentor and executive producer of his first album. Over haunting choruses, Lupe raises spirits with his verses, showing he really is on to the next something. John Legend guests up to play us out on 'Lasers' closer 'Never Forget You' as the two artists get warm and nostalgic with a lasting impression that will be remembered for time.

Overall 'Lasers' has two striking soundscapes. One being introspective, Fiasco like deep cuts and the other being chart-worthy songs tailor made for the radio, but in Lupe's signature style. What results is an album that takes Fiasco even further out this world as he remains true to himself, all while appealing more to the mainstreams ear. Sure with this fine-line shooting, there are some misfires and with a clean cut dozen tracks you know you'll be missing out on those trademark stellar Fiasco B-sides for your collection. Still, this is what makes the enigmatic rapper that more sought after and even with all this, 'Lasers' is still a striking, electric album. So futuristic but right now too, with an old-school flavour. The main over-arching theme of this album however is positivity overcoming negativity as Fiasco gets his Bob Marley on and lights up the darkness. As the super talent shoots for the stars, 'Lasers' propels him forward at light speed. Let's just hope his next shot is here a little quicker. Warp speed would be preferred. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

ALBUM SELECT OF THE WEEK: ANITA BAKER-RAPTURE

Dust through your parents old vinyl's and between the dodgy choices and eras your bound to find some classics. Classics like sensational soul legend Anita Baker's ravishing, 'Rapture'. This album really draws you in with it's sweet, sensual warmth. Right from the beautiful artwork to the eight concise tracks, perfect for a romantic night in or a relaxed, laid back night-time drive. From the sugary smash single, 'Sweet Love' to the evoking 'Caught Up In The Rapture' this timeless album has a legacy of lasting tracks. The magnificent 'Mystery' sounds before it's time and the delightful 'No One Else In The World' is devotion at it's deepest. From 'Been So Long' to 'You Bring Me Joy', Anita's strong but subtle voice shines with golden soul. An album full of heart whose beats have influenced generations gone and generations to come. We've all been caught up in Baker's sweet rapture. It's all the 'Same Ole Love'. TIM DAVID HARVEY.