[Discuss] Drake Uses Deceased Muse, Aaliyah, on New Song "Enough Said"

Rapper Drake has made no bones about his adulation for deceased singer, Aaliyah. He even recently had a second tattoo dedicated to her- his first being a picture of her face on his back (!)- down the side of his torso.

Being such a prominent source of inspiration on his own career, it's little wonder that he would eventually create a song that featured Aaliyah. I just imagined that when that day came it would involve sampling material that was already out there! Instead, Drake has managed to get his hands on some unheard, unreleased material and created the "duet" Enough Said using it.

[Review] Mariah Carey "Triumphant (Get Em)"

Now if there is any Diva out there that I would "Stan" for, it would be Mariah Carey. But let's get this straight, I don't Stan for anybody, because in the end it doesn't help anyone: not the star, not the fan and least of all someone who is trying to critique music as objectively as possible. You might wonder why I'm adding this rambling disclaimer-of-sorts to the start of the review, but I feel I need to, because what I'm about to write I can't even believe is true, but here goes: Mariah Carey's new single, Triumphant (get em), is a total disappointment.

Vocal Profile: Debelah Morgan

Debelah Morgan

Vocal Type:Coloratura Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 Octaves 5 notes and a semitone (C3-Bb6)
Whistle Register:Yes
Vocal Pluses: Brilliant technique that demonstrates complete vocal freedom, being able to execute various vocal acrobatics along the entire range. Her vocal dexterity and stamina means Debelah Morgan  is able to transition and jump throughout the range on a single breath and hold notes without any effort and with apparent ease.

The lower range is slightly smoky, dark, but breathy, and is connected well to the midrange. The midrange itself [top of third octave, start of fourth octave] is richer and well supported. It displays a maturer, fuller timbre than the upper part of the range, and is healthier and better controlled than the lower extremes of the voice. However, Debelah Morgan  does display versatility in the mid-range and is able to make it lighter and airer if she so chooses [Hear the thicker midrange on Yesterday and its airier counterpart on Its not over].

The belting range is contrasting depending on how it is accessed. When it is utilised without mixing it
is thicker, rounded and heavier, but when mixed it becomes lighter, thinner and noticeably sweeter. From here the voice passes effortlessly into the head voice, where she is able to carry it effortlessly throughout most of the 6th octave (up to Bb6)

Shows a nearly unrivalled skill within her bright and piercing whistle register. Debelah Morgan is able to articulate within this part of her range, as well as conducts trills, runs that traverse the range and hit staccato notes accurately [all can be heard done live in Dance With Me from 4.30].

Vocal Negatives: Sometimes child-like tone isn't to everyone's taste, along with the head-dominant singing throughout the voice. The voice overall lacks real weight.

[Recommended Listening] Oh Daughter "The Wild Youth"

[Note: This is an old post I forgot to publish, but as it's such a great little EP I thought it was still worth publishing.]

Ever wonder what it would sound like if Feist and The XX got together to create an album? Well wonder no more as I introduce you to my "currently listening to": Oh Daughter and The wild youth EP.

Electronically sparse backing, muted baselines and echoey XX-esque electric guitar form the backdrop of this 4 song EP. It provides a cool and measured backing for Elena Tonra's -the woman behind the album- soft and hushed voice to bring to life the beautiful and thoughtful lyrics.

News Spam: Joss Stone, Mariah Carey and Madonna

I was a little miffed when during the talks about who would sit on The Voice (UK) judging panel, that there was no mention of one of Britain's best young singers, Joss Stone. Well though there was no mention of her name, it turns out that the singer was in fact asked, and guess what, she turned it down! Her reason:

"The thing is I love music and I love singing with other people and I don't see it as a competition at all. I feel that those things are really good to get exposure but they kind of make it into a competition and that is just sad.

"Other than that it is great because they get to be heard by millions and they never would have been before."

Christina Aguilera Speaks About Mariah Carey and Britney Spears Joining Competing Talent Shows

Christina Aguilera being nice in an interview. OMG! But not just nice, humble too. *PASSES OUT*

I know her fans will say that she's always been nice, but I've watched enough of her interviews to know that this is one shady lady who gives interviews though usually super (artificially) sweet, are more than often dripping with grade-A arsenic.

[New Video] P!nk- "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)"

Was P!nk's new video shot on a HD camcorder and edited together on the bundled video software that comes with every Mac? Because it sure looks like something I could have created at my local National Trust manner house, with a budget of ...let's say....50 quid. Realistically most of that'll go on the booze- because this is one director who needs to be liqueured up to create his "art"- but I'm sure I could create something that is a close approximation of the video Dave Meyers' delivered here for Blow Me (One Last Kiss)...well bar the flying machine part at the end. I'd probably need an extra tenner for that!