MAMBAONLINE SPINS

AS I AM (CD/DVD) – ALICIA KEYS

Marketed and distributed by SonyBMG Music Entertainment

When Alicia Keys stormed onto the music scene early in the new millennium with Songs In A Minor, she managed to rack up more Grammy nominations than any other artist that year – six to be exact, of which she won five. This tied her with Lauryn Hill, Norah Jones and Beyonce as the only women to ever win five Grammy Awards in one year. Since her sophomore album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, Alicia has taken home an additional four Grammys and cemented her place in music history as one of the world’s best female R&B vocalists. Her third album, As I Am, is a tour de force that captures her skills as a gifted pianist, her remarkable voice and the essence of ‘70s soul music into one CD. The debut single, No-One, is a killer song in every respect, and several others – Superwoman, Lesson Learned with John Mayer – also impress. As I Am, is bound to repeat Alicia Keys’ previous successes. She is already a legend, and ‘how she is’ is exactly how I love her.

SAWDUST: B-SIDES & RARITIES 2003 – 2007 – THE KILLERS

Marketed and distributed by Universal Music SA

In the process of making an album, musicians often end up with more recorded songs than will eventually make it onto the final CD. This allows the band to put only the best on the album, but also leaves them with enough additional material, or ‘B-sides’, for their live performances, or in the case of The Killers, a whole new album. Featuring B-sides from Hot Fuss and Sam’s Town, Sawdust brings a sense of completion to the band’s debut and sophomore albums. I particularly liked Glamorous Indie Rock And Roll from the Hot Fuss sessions in 2003, and Sweet Talk and Where The White Boys Dance, both from the Sam’s Town sessions in 2006. Also included are four brand new tracks, including Tranquilize with Lou Reed, a cover of the classic Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town and Jacques Lu Cont’s Thin White Duke remix of Mr Brightside. Sawdust: B-sides & Rarities 2003 – 2007 is something of a collector’s item, especially for the fans that just cannot seem to get enough of The Killers.

GREATEST HITS – DAVID GRAY

Marketed and distributed by Warner Music Gallo Africa

You may find it odd seeing a Greatest Hits album by David Gray on the shelves, considering that his hits come from just three albums which he’s released since 2000. But that is the beauty of David Gray’s music: it has the ability to crawl under your skin and stay there, making just about every song that he’s crafted a masterpiece. As such, David Gray’s Greatest Hits really does feature all of them, from Babylon (his breakthrough hit from White Ladder) to The One I Love (the big hit off his last album, A New Day At Midnight), and all the other goodies in between: Please Forgive Me, Be Mine, This Year’s Love and the eccentric Caroline. The piano-driven new single, You’re The World To Me, is another future David Gray classic. I suppose this is a completely redundant album if you already own White Ladder, Life In Slow Motion and A New Day at Midnight. But if you don’t, you’ll do yourself a huge favour by getting his Greatest Hits and acquainting yourself with this master of melancholy.

ECHOES, SILENCE, PATIENCE & GRACE – FOO FIGHTERS

Marketed and distributed by SonyBMG Music Entertainment

After twelve years and five albums, Foo Fighters return to the global music scene with Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, a collection of songs that ties together everything that is Foo Fighters into their most masterful and confident album yet. The recent Grammy nominations speak for themselves, especially those in the elite categories of Record and Album of the Year. Sure, the Foo Fighters might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but that they are one of rock’s best and most influential bands is undeniable. First single, The Pretender, is an anthemic masterpiece that deserves all the accolades thrown its way, while Let It Die builds on this recipe with stripped down verses and rocking choruses. Long Road To Ruin and Summer’s End deserve a mention, with the melodic Cheer Up Boys (Your Make Up Is Running) sure to become a fan favourite. 2007 saw many rock bands release phenomenal albums, but alas it is Foo Fighters who walk away with the glory. Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace is undoubtedly the rock album of 2007… and 2008.

quick SPINS

REJOICE – KATHERINE JENKINS

Marketed and distributed by Universal Music SA

Don’t let the title of Katherine Jenkins’ latest album fool you. Rejoice is not a gospel or Christmas album, but yet another brilliant classical crossover album from a master. I loved her interpretations of I (Who Have Nothing) and Somewhere.

CARNIVAL VOLUME 2: MEMOIRS OF AN IMMIGRANT – WYCLEF JEAN

Marketed and distributed by SonyBMG Music Entertainment

With Carnival Volume 2, Wyclef Jean gives you a brilliant new body of work: Sweetest Girl (with Akon), King & Queen (with Shakira), Fast Car (with Paul Simon) and What About The Baby (with Mary J Blige) are examples.

THAT’S LIFE – RUSSELL WATSON

Marketed and distributed by Universal Music SA

That’s Life was recorded while Russell was recovering from brain surgery and is a remarkable return from one of the classical-crossover genre’s favourite voices. Similar in style to Michael Bublé, it offers soothing and enjoyable sun-downer songs.

LA VIDA…ES UN RATICO – JUANES

Marketed and distributed by Universal Music SA

Colombian heartthrob Juanes impresses on La Vida…Es Un Ratico with a beautiful collection of acoustic tunes that sound even better because I don’t understand Spanish. I liked Hoy Me Voy, Minas Piedras and Bailala with its latin beats.

SCREAM – TOKIO HOTEL

Marketed and distributed by Universal Music SA

Don’t let the aggressive album cover, or even the title, fool you. While Tokio Hotel makes rock music, it’s not nearly as aggressive as the visuals would want you to believe. In fact, it’s fairly melodic and not difficult to absorb. A nice surprise.

RYANDAN – RYANDAN

Marketed and distributed by Universal Music SA

Twin brothers Ryan and Dan present an album with classically inspired tracks that showcase their remarkable voices. It contains a number of well-known and loved numbers including The Prayer, Wind Beneath My Wings, You Needed Me and I’ll Be There.

REVIVAL – JOHN FOGERTY

Marketed and distributed by Universal Musi