Blue Chi’s

Tarkan is the most successful pop star in Turkey. He became a worldwide icon upon the international release of his self-titled album in 1999. His hit ‘Sikidim’ (Kiss Kiss) was covered by more than 10 international artists in many languages including Arabic, English, Spanish, Japanese and many more.

Tarkan released his first English album last month in some parts of Europe, the album features 14 new tracks and a new English version of the hit ‘Shikidim’. Tarkan’s English album is a mixture of mainstream pop and Turkish music, a lot of tracks sound very catchy, such as Shhh, Bounce (the first single), In Your Eyes, and Why Don’t We (Aman Aman) featuring Wyclef Jean. The music of ‘Come Closer’ sounds really awesome, it just the right mix of oriental instruments with a hint of urban production.

What I do not like about Come Closer is that it is way too ‘mainstream’, Tarkan’s English is perfect and his album does not really seem to reflect anything about the Turkish culture, I had to compare this to international artists such as Shakira and Utada that made English albums that sounded so fresh lyrically and in terms of themes, unlike Tarkan’s English album which talks about nothing but him and his girl playin’ games. There are some songs in this album that song so random and shallow as if it were taken from a boys band album, while his other actual Turkish songs sound so much better and the translations of the lyrics of these songs are really amazing. I do not hate Come Closer, but I would have liked something more creative, but I guess that he had to sound more stream to sell.

1. Just Like That
2. In Your Eyes
3. Why Don’t We (Aman Aman) (featuring Wyclef Jean)
4. Mine
5. Over
6. Start The Fire
7. Shhh (I Wanna Hear Love Speak)
8. Bounce
9. Come Closer
10. Don’t Leave Me Alone
11. Shikidim
12. I’m Gonna Make U Feel Good
13. Mass Confusion
14. Touch
15. If Only You Knew

(PS. You can check Tarkan DeLuxe – the greatest blog about Tarkan. )

Pink is not dead at all, her music is more inspirational than ever as she explores love, survival, loneliness, politics, fame, and sex. “I’m Not Dead” is an awesome rock/pop album that brings back more of the ‘Missundaztood‘ Pink than any of her other reflections. It took me a whole week to get the strength to actually stop playing “I’m Not Dead”. This is clearly my favourite album in 2006 until now.

1. Stupid Girls
2. Who Knew
3. Long Way To Happy
4. Nobody Knows
5. Dear Mr President – Pink & Indigo Girls
6. I’m Not Dead
7. Cuz I Can
8. Leave Me Alone (I’m Lonely)
9. U + Ur Hand
10. Runaway
11. One That Got Away
12. I Got Money Now
13. Conversations With My 13 Year Old Self
14. Fingers
15. Centerfold
16. I Have Seen The Rain

Being a huge fan of both artists this sounds too good to be true, but it actually happened. You can view the commercial here, it features a new song by Christina titled “Here to Stay”.

I found this at O.C.

I only recently had the chance to listen to Keyshia Cole’s debut album, and I thought that it was an awesome blend of soul and RnB. It is amazing to see someone as ghetto as Keyshia Cole (Check out her interviews and live performances to see what I mean) sing with such a divine voice. ‘The Way It Is’ is a rare successful combination of singing talent and great production. A must-listen to all RnB/Soul fans.

1. (I Just Want It) To Be Over
2. I Changed My Mind
3. Thought You Had My Back
4. I Should Have Cheated
5. Guess What?
6. Love
7. You’ve Changed
8. We Could Be
9. Situations
10. Down And Dirty
11. Superstar
12. Never

Mila J is a new RnB Hip Hop artist that was previously featured in the song “Take It Off” by Omarion. Her first single is titled “Complete” and it is another flip of J Lo’s “The One”, Nivea’s “Can’t Mess With You”, Le Toya’s “Torn”, etc, etc, however, Mila’s version is the smoothest in my opinion. The video for this song came out recently and could be seen at her official website, but it sucks, so visit her official website, pause the video and listen to the song using the little player at the footer as the sound quality of the music player is perfect unlike the video. Mila’s debut album is due June 28th and is titled “Split Personality”.

Mila J’s Official Website.

Wikipedia‘s page on Mila that she is of Japanese, Native American, and African-American descent and that her sister’s name is Miyoko.

Pink’s new album has leaked but I refrained from downloading it. The album will get released on the 3rd of April and I think that I can wait to get my hand on the legal copy instead of listening to it now.

Pink – I’m Not Dead.
1. Stupid Girls
2. Who Knew
3. Long Way To Happy
4. Nobody Knows
5. Dear Mr President
6. I’m Not Dead
7. Cuz I Can
8. Leave Me Alone (I’m Lonely)
9. U + Ur Hand
10. Runaway
11. One That Got Away
12. I Got Money Now
13. Conversations With My 13 Year Old Self
14. Fingers
15. Centerfold

I cannot get enough of Elissa’s new album, I am not sure if I feel this way because I am a fan or because of the actual quality of it, I cannot really tell the difference, I haven’t listened to anything else for the last four days, I am so obsessed about it I feel like I’m finally getting a musical ringtone soon. I am so obsessed I cannot read for my tutorials. I am so obsessed it hurts every time I have to pause the music to answer the phone. I am so obsessed I cannot write anything proper in this post. I am so obsessed about it and I think that you already got the point.

1. Bastannak
2. Kirmalak
3. Fatit Sineen
4. Zanbi Ana
5. Ba3eesh 3ala 7issak
6. 6lob Tmanna
7. Ta3a
8. Mat’7afsh Minni
9. 7ikayti Ma3ak
10. Lao Ba99ait 2uddamak
11. Lao Kan
12. Lao Ta3rafooh

Another musical jewel of the late 90s that can no longer be found is Shola Ama, a British RnB singer that released 3 albums. Shola Ama has now almost disappeared, she has no serious official website, her record label dropped her after her second album, and her 2002 Japan-only album “Supersonic” had a limited release in Europe. Wikipedia says that she is currently working on her fourth album, but I couldn’t find ANYTHING about it any where on the web. The last known appearance of Shola was on the Pirate’s single “You Should Really Know“. I recently managed to get my hands on the whole of her second album “In Return” which featured the production of Rodney Jerkins, Babyface, and many other high profile producers. I was really blown away with the great album, I really hope that she is working on a new album.

Shola Ama – In Return
1. Still Believe
2. Imagine
3. Deepest Hurt
4. Lovely Affair
5. Run To Me***
6. My Heart
7. Everything
8. Can’t Have You
9. This Time Next Year
10. Surrender
11. That Thing
12. In Return
13. He Don’t Know
14. Queen For A Day
15. Superficial Fantasy
16. Can’t Go On

Song writer and producer William Orbit will release his second music album on the 20th of February this year. Though I never listened to a ‘music’ CD – i.e. one without singing – in the past, it was very hard for me not to get interested in Orbit’s work. I found Hello Waveforms breathtaking and totally amusing, several track in the album made a beautiful reminiscent echo of Madonna’s Ray of Light album and All Saints Pure Shores – both of which he produced. His music is so descriptive without the use of words, it is music that flows along your skin and gets you really deep inside. I am officially a fan.

1. Sea Green
2. Humming Chorus
3. Surfin’
4. You Know Too Much About Flying Saucers
5. Spiral – Featuring Sugababes
6. Who Owns The Octopus
7. Bubble Universe
8. Fragamosia
9. Firebrand
10. They Live In The Sky
11. Colours From Nowhere

Kiley Dean is a very talented RnB singer that was previously signed to Timbaland’s record label ‘Beat Club Records’. She has released two singles and recorded an album that was supposed to be released in 2003 but never made it out due to the bad sales of her singles. I have always thought of Kiley as the new Aaliyah and I was very disappointed to see her name fade away. She has previously collaborated with Bubba Sparxxx, Petey Pablo and Utada Hikaru. However, Kiley has finally moved to another record label and is expected to release her new debut album ‘Changes’ this March. I wish her the best of luck!

Her new official website has only the image you see at the post above, http://www.kileydean.com while her fansite http://www.kileyfan.com seems to be quite outdated. You can learn more about Kiley from her page on Wikipedia.