#MUSICMONDAY #SOUNDOFTHEWEEK - LET ME FIND OUT, IMMATURE

I had a discussion with my favourite music compadre - Mi Madre - recently, and we were discussing the merits of all of these pop groups returning. By the end, we agreed that the younger names were probably still hankering for their once upon a time, career highs; and the elders, most likely just really needed the cash.

That isn't to say that every big reunion is a grandiose mistake - Atomic Kitten, I am NOT talking to you, stay where you are, please - individually (and silent). Take the real singers for example; Immature, if you haven't heard of them before, are a 3-piece, male singing group, formed in Los Angeles, California. Releasing the first of many well-received albums in 1992 at the age of 11, by their fourth album, Immature became IMx to mark the 10th year of their career, and their musical and personal maturity.

Going back to their original format (when they were at their best in my humble opinion); the boys have reformed as men, and brought the sexy back to a whole new level...

Here's your #ESP Sound of the Week: Let Me Find Out by Immature...

 Parental Advisory - Explicit Lyrics

Do you need cooling down as well? I knew it couldn't just be me!

The track is the first of a number of free downloads to come from the group's forthcoming album, that currently has no release date.

Until the next...Enjoy (literally)!
ES ;)

#MUSICMONDAY Sound of the Week: BEATNIK ft. TYSON - 'BYE BYE' (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

'Bye Bye' by Beatnik feat. Tyson is enough of a badarse anthem to make me wish I had a working set of legs to run me over to the gym, wheelchair-free, for some serious squattage. Exactly what you need to get you 'into the zone', the Drum'n'Bass beat is genuinely hypnotic, and singer Tyson’s vocals are uplifting enough to take you through any set of reps that the most hardcore of personal trainers dare bestow upon you.

With a banging video to match – lookout for DJ Nikki's 'Ladies Touch'; from some killer sexy heels on the turntable, to her trademark crystallised headphones, to her beloved pet pup Purdey. It’s just as well Tyson is dressed in head to toe black; that colourful, turnt up energy would clash with any bright colour. As for the loveable teddy bear that is Statis Beatnik, he holds up the men’s corner for the GQ Style section.

Now GO - Run this into your collections IMMEDIATELY!

Until the next...

ES ;)

#MusicMonday: #WaveRunner - Thirsty, Mariah Carey

Well now. Due to the ongoing demands of the preparations for this weekend's Graduation Fashion Week, our Mariah Week regrettably had to be deferred by a few (7) days. But never fear, we are back now, and I absolutely DARE you to not to feel, and see her differently if you catch every piece this week. I may not make a supporter out of you, but I most definitely AM aiming to make a non-believer an accepter.

I had to rewrite this review in between my first listen, and last play, earlier this morning. The official 'Buzz' single for Me.I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse; Thirsty was met by a mostly favourable crowd almost a week to the day of release. 'Fans' and Music Critics alike (it's getting hard to tell the difference nowadays), practically declared the track The Saviour of Mariah's Career, by being exactly the catchy type of joint that she made famous.

I would absolutely agree that the song is excellent, bar one small factor – a hook that is to Yours Truly, the musical equivalent of Marmite; either you love it, are perplexed, or you hate it. Personally, I started out en route to the latter. Hate is a very strong term, and I wouldn't apply that one with any semblance of accuracy in this case, but I've only reached the point of tolerance, after starting out disliking it intensely. Hook aside; we're in for quite the tumultuous ride with the rest of the album if this track sets the precedent. 

For now, Thirsty gets a (10% shy of straight) Thumbs Up.

What’s ruling your airwaves and why? Feel free to share in YOUR Stage, aka the Comment Box below.

Until the next…!
ES ;)

#SoundOfTheWeek: XSCAPE - MICHAEL JACKSON

Since the untimely passing of Michael Jackson, music buyers have become firmly rooted in one of two camps. Either you believe that his decades of unreleased material should remain locked up and enshrined in his memory, knowing how particular he was about what the public got to hear, without his stamp of approval (making their release a desecration of his creative integrity). Or, you just want to hear the magic; even if that means the art is compromised by allowing others to finish the vision that MJ had started. You feel he did the basics and others can finish what he started, in fact you fail to see what the big fuss is even about!

Personally, I'm barely a step away from the former. When you have someone so intrinsically linked to everything that they create, you cannot have any old producer – no matter how talented, come in, and finish it with Michael's ear – no-one else is that gifted. Will I listen to it? Absolutely, it is the Greatest Entertainer of ALL Time, after all! Would I buy it, however? Not a chance – I will not support Sony's ongoing attempts to loot a deadman's vault, and steal his children's legacy to line their own pockets, it's shameful, and unconscionable.

Now that we've got the ethical issues out the way, let's talk tracks shall we?

Once you take the fact that as excellent a producer is, he will never produce the project to Michael's stellar level of skill out of the equation, you can judge the work on a more even footing. The standard version of the album consists of 8 'reworked' tracks, with the deluxe containing each in their original state, plus one bonus remix featuring Justin Timberlake. More about that mess later...

Lead single 'Love Never Felt So Good' kicks off the compilation set. A feel good, modern day Disco track, the opening strings are very 'typically Michael' in their slow, artful start. Taking you back to the days of 'Off The Wall', it’s an excellent open that sets the tone for the rest of the project in a big way. As the title suggests, the song is a thank you to a cherished partner, in recognition of the love that she makes him feel, and the happiness that comes along with it. The live original - one of the bonus tracks - is as poignant as it is natural, with just Michael, the piano, some handclaps and fingersnaps. The greatest moment however, comes at the end, when you hear Michael’s voice, giving his ok on the studio take. The first time you hear it brings startled surprise, chills, nostalgia, and a touch of wistful sadness, as you remember that the great man behind the talent is no longer with us. 

'Chicago' sounds like something that could have made the 'Invincible' album infinitely better. Michael's lower register dominates the moment in the best of ways in this semi-apology to the husband of his girl, as he recounts how she duped them both through the story of how they met. This is a healthy Michael, doing what he did best – singing his heart out with compelling emotion. 

'Loving You' is a stellar, standout track. Although it is distinctly 90s RnB / Soul, the modern day tinge means that it's competing with absolutely nothing on the radio right now. As suggested by the title, this one is a love letter with his typically beautiful harmonies, taking the whole five minutes and thirty-five seconds to an entirely new level.

'A Place With No Name' takes its bones from America's 'A Horse With No Name'. But the original songwriter's involvement notwithstanding, the similarities end there. This is a takeover club track, just begging to rule a dancefloor. Michael's lyrics and delivery catch you up in the dreamworld that he describes in infinite detail. Even the production by Jackson himself, songwriter Dewey Bunnel, and Dr. Freeze, sounds surreal. A mystery woman shows up in the middle of nowhere, and walks him through a mist into an unnamed Utopia where human, and environmental life coexist happily to a level of imaginary perfection, and attempts to use her wiles to keep him there. She almost succeeds, until he pulls out a picture of his family and girlfriend, which succeeds in reminding him that the dreamworld he stands in, does not compare to what he has waiting at home.

'Slave to the Rhythm' begins dramatically with the slow, clinking sound of manacles dragging on the ground, backed by equally intense strings setting a vivid scene for the next chapter. The victim of the story dances to every beat of it. Sounding like something you expect to watch crews battle to. A wife and mother works herself to the bone to keep both her tyrant husband and her merciless boss happy.

'Do You Know Where Your Children Are' seems like a ridiculous addition to me. Not because I believe any of the accusations, nor because the song is bad (far from it); but since this is supposedly a compilation in his honour, it seems completely mercenary and disrespectful to throw in a track that will invite personal controversy. Keep it about the music, I say. On that note…With production that wouldn't have been out of place on Chaka Khan's 'I Feel For You' album from 1984, Jackson plays out a variety of scenarios in which children pay the ultimate price for an adults lack of responsibility and supervision. The message is a viable one, it would just carry more weight coming from someone that half the world didn’t believe the wrong things about.

'Blue Gangsta' doesn’t quite wash with me message-wise. First of all, love Michael as I do, you cannot justifiably claim to be a gangsta and mention crying as early as the intro of the song. It's just against the rules of Gangstafied Living! Am I right, or am I right? Anywhoo, a rather mean and unchaste female who, at one time, had promised to marry him, has been exposed as a liar, and a cheat, and he's understandably upset. About as 'hard' as he gets, is 'watch me light the fuse'. Not much 'gangsta talk' beyond that. Solange Knowles in a hotel lift – Gangsta. MJ – the most Gansta of all-round performers throughout history. Apart from that? Not so much…

'Xscape' is the Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins big finish that sees the late, great one go out with a bang. The injustices of a world that treated him so callously are called to mind, as his haunting words echo being hounded to seek real life escapism…

'why is it I can't do whatever want to /

when it's my personal life, and I don't live for you...'

Now that's Gangsta!

The bonus remix of 'Love Never Felt So Good' featuring Justin Timberlake was far more of a sombre addition than I'm sure was intended. We didn't get the usual cocky ex-boyband member with the boyish, and sometimes flirty charm. Instead, a nervous sounding boy fan provided a nervous sounding verse, that should have been a cinch for him at the worst of times. Considering the tall order however, I suppose it's hard to condemn his nerves, but at the same time, don't try so hard not to make a mistake, that you overcompensate by under-delivering to the fullest potential as we all know that you are capable of doing.

And there you have it - all 9 parts of Sony’s latest money-making venture. Is it a good compilation? Yes, very much so. However, you cannot get away from the fact that this was not how the King of Pop would have wanted this music to be heard. These songs belonged to his children, and it was up to them, how the material should have been released – if at all - not some conglomerate wanting to clear the entertainer's hotel bill.

'Xscape' is available now from all major music retailers.

You know what time it is - share you thoughts below, let's talk!

Until the next...

ES ;)

#MusicMonday Sound Of The Week: JADE - Don't Walk Away

But a few days ago, I was having an intercontinental chat with a friend of mine, and this song came on my playlist. It got stuck in my head, and stayed with me for days, now I'm passing the torch to you!

Jade's Don't Walk Away, is the very first #MusicMonday #SoundOfTheWeek

Enjoy until next week!

ES ;)

Welcome to the ALL NEW #MusicMonday feature on 'The ESintheP Blog'!

Welcome to the ALL NEW

#MusicMonday feature on 'The ESintheP Blog'!

There's been a teensy bit of a revamp all-round if you've noticed, but for those who are new, let me introduce you...

If ever you question what else this blog portal has to offer, then there is a handy shop slideshow on your right. For more details, simply visit the ESP website. Check ESP Social Media for the latest news, or better still, connect directly, so that you get all the breaking alerts first! See what's most popular on the blog, by checking the everchanging Top 5 stories. Or purchase the mainstream releases that you see, or read about here - like Iggy Azalea's new album review, coming later today, with a twist - from Amazon in the bottom-right.

Oh yes, and do be sure to share your thoughts on the new blog banner - do we like, or no? You tell me in the Comments Box below.

Now to the meat of the meal. #MusicMonday will consist of any, or all of the following features in any given week:

Headlines are the top News Stories of the past week. They may not always match with the mainstream - in fact I sincerely hope they don't - but you will learn interesting tidbits that you're not as likely to pick up anywhere else!

Since this IS a Spotlight forum, Flashing Lights is dedicated to the winner of our weekly music review...

Lost In Music returns, with a look at past releases, that left an indelible print on musical history.

Sound of the Week is the tune that won't get out of my head, and imprints on my brain. Love it or Hate it, Old, New, or Just Released - it could be anything!

Talk on Corners is the talking point where I shine a light on certain topics currently ongoing, or that seem to be slipping under the radar, and ask YOU to join in the talk with me, over the course of the week.

And finally, Wave Runner is a look at the biggest songs in the media right now (and occasional, legitimate examinations of why on Earth they're there...)

Now as an EXTRA-special Launch Day Treat, I'm giving you one of EVERYTHING throughout the course of the day - but don't think I'll be spoiling you like this every week! With the exception of Flashing Lights, and Headlines, only a selection of features will run every Monday. Sidenote: Naming features after song titles certainly does help create a theme, let me tell you...and we all know how I love a theme!

It's time to get ready for your first offering of the day. It's only right to open big on a celebratory day...ENJOY (and please do let me know what you enjoy [or not] the most)!!!

ES ;)