Diddy & Bad Boy Records Present...
We Invented The Remix
Bad Boy
Taking a cue from ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez's number one hit remix album, P. Diddy releases one of his own, this time claiming the patent on it. Despite having his name on the cover, not all of the tracks on the record were remixed by him. This is a collection of remixes by Diddy, his production team The Hitmen, and non-Bad Boy producers that collaborated with Bad Boy artists, such as the Irv Gotti produced "Unfoolish" by Ashanti featuring a sampled verse from the late Notorious B.I.G. Most of the tracks are already proven hits so there's no worry that only one or two songs will be any good. The single "I Need A Girl (Part One)" featuring Usher and Loon has been and is still in heavy rotation. Also included is Part Two, recently featured on MTV's Making The Video. Other notables are "Peaches and Cream" by 112 with Ludacris, "No More Drama" by Mary J. Blige, and "You Gets No Love" by Faith Evans using an unexpected but wicked sample of the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams". The enhanced CD also contains videos, pictures, and bios. If only PD included some of his earlier remixes, this would be a perfect collection. As it is, it is still one you could put on, press play, and listen all the way through. -85 Mics
Thursday
Full Collapse
Victory Records
Thursday may be the best band you haven't heard yet. They aren't being played on the radio, and you won't be seeing their video on TRL anytime soon. They are a group of five guys from New Brunswick, New Jersey who started out pretty much like every other band, playing anywhere and everywhere they could. Early on in their career they had the privilege of playing with great bands like At The Drive-In, Boy Sets Fire, and a few others of that same hardcore style. But their sound is unlike anyone else. Every song is put together so well; the craftsmanship coupled with the diversity of the material will keep you tuned in. One second it's a beautiful melody that turns into hair raising screams and hard drum beats. They are not on a huge label that's trying to force them to be mega pop stars or anything like that so when you listen to Thursday you're just getting pure talent playing whatever they want to play. Thursday is on Victory Records, a label known for their "independent" style acts. Full Collapse is their second album (their first, Waiting, released in 1999. If you are into some good, hard, rock music, go out and catch this album, you will not be disappointed. -Chux
Flora Purim
Flora Purim Sings Milton Nascimento
Narada Jazz
The album begins with a booty-shaking bossa nova rhythm. Instinctively your head will join in, bobbing back and forth to the beat. Enter Flora Purim's diva-indicative voice. A smile creeps on the face, as the body leans back, settling in for a relaxing time. Her lithe vocals quietly demand due respect. Purim, originally from Brazil, has been making bossa-nova/jazz/rock fusion since the mid '70's and has worked with the likes of Chick Corea, Stan Getz, and Duke Pearson. Impressive. As a matter of fact look for her on the road, touring with the Return to Forever reunion. (Not sure if this includes Al DiMeola. We recommend guitar fanatics confirm that before purchasing tickets.) Listening to this Brazilian inflected CD you can seriously get lost in the beautiful rhythms and melodies. Purim hand-selected the songs of her longtime friend and collaborator, and by adding her own sultry style, has succeeded in creating a memorable tribute to Milton Nascimento. -RCR