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| 7/29/04 |
JC profile @ Miss Teen USA site JC Chasez Anyone who paid attention to Chasez's recent collaboration with Basement Jaxx ("Plug It In" from Jaxx's latest, Kish Kash) or Chasez's solo debut on the soundtrack to Drumline ("Blowin' Me Up (With Her Love)" has an idea of the diverse musical tapestries that Chasez's debut solo effort covers. Make no mistake about it: Chasez's signature harmonies and lyrical style are here, the album Schizophrenic, dabbles in a wealth of genres (New Wave, techno, Latin rhythms, soul, R&B, and even reggae) that showcase this superstar's wide-eyed musical vision. In order to produce Schizophrenic, Chasez, who co-wrote all 15 tracks, went into self-imposed exile, away from the hoopla of being a member of the one of the biggest groups in the world. The result is a stunning collection that will surprise even the staunchest of critics. To sculpt the varied Schizophrenic, Chasez hooked up with a wealth of production wizards, including Rockwilder, Riprock 'n' Alex G, and Basement Jaxx (who returned the favor on Schizophrenic's sensual "Shake It"). With his debut solo album, Chasez shows that his musical limitations know no bounds. Schizophrenic will no doubt surprise fans and critics alike, but the end results are all JC -- a kicked-back, no holds barred discography of the life of a 27-year-old pop star who doesn't care about what's hip or what’s selling now, but rather what is true to himself now as a grown-up artist. It's sonic recklessness in the most ear-pleasing of ways.
Students get down to business at UI program CHAMPAIGN – Beyonce or Justin Timberlake: Which young R&B star would most likely cause feverish ticket sales and make the most profit at the Assembly Hall? The answer is being hunted down by 30 academically gifted minority high school students participating in a nationwide program. ...The Leadership Education and Development program, a national initiative, aims to increase the number of black, Hispanic and American Indian students enrolled as undergraduate business majors. LEAD comes to the UI for the first time, while 10 other universities are simultaneously running the program this summer, too. The UI participants are made up of students from 11 states and Puerto Rico. ...The students are divided into teams of three or four and must determine hypothetical ticket prices, gauge stage and promotional costs and take other factors into account. Whether the Assembly Hall is standing room only for the simulated concert or barely filled up to Section A, the artist takes home a guaranteed appearance fee: $500,000 for and Beyonce $450,000 for Timberlake...
Feds OK Sony-BMG Merger And then there were four. The Federal Trade Commission has just cleared the way for the merger of Sony and BMG's resepective record music divisions, shrinking the field of the world's major record companies by one. The FTC approval, which comes on the heels of a similar ruling last week in Europe, means that regulators believe the new company, henceforth known as Sony-BMG, does not violate antitrust laws and that the merger can move on full-steam ahead...
Justin lifestyle book in 2005 In Touch weekly spoke with Justin Timberlake's rep on news that the book on the singer is being postponed by a British publisher -- and it isn't an autobiography. "Justin's only 23 hyears old - he's too young to write an autobiography," the rep reasoned. "It's more of a lifestyle book - full of lots of big photos." But was it really delayed so he wouldn't have a showdown against Robbie Williams? The rep insisted no. "Justin's too busy to finish the book now," the rep said. "It's that simple. But it will be published in 2005."
A hunk, a hunk to play Elvis? 'Go see it and see for yourself why you shouldn't see it," said the late, great movie mogul Sam Goldwyn. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE as Elvis Presley? Onstage? On Broadway? So comes and goes a hot rumor out of L.A. that the pop star-actor will interpret The King in a Miramax stage venture to be titled "All Shook Up." Justin's people say "absolutely no way." (Timberlake wants to be a movie star.) Haven't heard back yet from Miramax. Timberlake has admitted to admiring the late legend, but it is unlikely he'd want to draw comparisons in an impersonation. And at this point, even the most sincere Presley imitation comes off like parody. That said, I think Justin would be an excellent '50s-era Elvis.
On the political fringe ...UNSUCCESSFUL CELEBRITY SPOTTING: They said there would be famous people at the convention. Famous, young, hot, good-looking people. Like Alyssa Milano, for instance. I expected to see Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake mingling with the delegates from Maine, dancing in matching sassy hats, making out with Democratic fervor...
3G Video Jukebox for 3 Europe : 3, the UK’s first video mobile network, today announces it has teamed up with the major record company BMG to launch the first ever mobile video jukebox enabling 3 customers’ to stream the latest music videos direct to their video mobiles. The new video jukebox service - the first of its kind in the UK - will see 3 customers able to choose from a selection of the latest and greatest music videos to watch on their 3 handsets. They will be able to watch the latest releases on 3’s music video chart through ‘Today on 3’ – the UK’s first live mobile news and entertainment channel that launched in March. The service launches on 2 August with a range of full-length videos from BMG's unrivalled roster of major artists such as: Christina Aguilera, Dido, Outkast, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Will Young. 3 customers will be able to both watch and hear the latest music video releases four to six weeks in advance of the single launch. With 3’s music video chart, customers will be able to choose from over forty, full length music videos, with up to five new releases going live on the service every week. Music videos will be priced at £1.50 and will be available to either QuickPlay (stream direct) or to download to the handset and play for as long as the customer chooses. Alternatively 3 customers can also buy an Unlimited Entertainment Add-On for £10 per month, which will allow them to enjoy unlimited amounts of 3’s music and entertainment service over the course of a month. Gareth Jones, Chief Operating Officer at 3, commented: “For the first time, music fans will be able to see the latest full-length music videos on their mobile before they see them anywhere else. 3 is bringing the colour, glamour and theatre of the latest music video releases direct to people’s mobiles. As the first mobile company to launch this video jukebox service, 3 is again setting the agenda for video mobile services. We believe that this service will fast become the way customers choose to watch and engage with the latest music videos – on demand and whilst on the move.” Tim Bowen, Chairman, BMG UK & Ireland, added: "The mobile phone has already demonstrated to the industry its versatility as a platform to carry music content. 3's new technology develops on from ringtones by giving a brand new must-have music application to consumers on the move." Commenting on the announcement BPI chairman Peter Jamieson said: "The UK recording industry is committed to making its repertoire available as widely as possible. We welcome 3's investment in turning mobile phones into video jukeboxes. This service typifies what you might call the Martini approach to music distribution - the industry is committed to making music available any time, any place, anywhere the music fan wants to listen to it.” The most popular videos will be presented in a music video chart, which will be updated each week. Video jukebox is the latest addition to 3’s constantly
evolving music services which successfully combine a range
of original programming from music partners such as MTV and
Pete Tong to provide the latest exclusive video news, views,
and performances that ensures 3 customers are at the cutting
edge of what is hot in music.
Timberlake delights the N.E.R.D. crowd No matter how often a rock star promises that "anything might happen" on stage, it's rare when something spontaneous actually occurs. So it was a welcome surprise Tuesday when N.E.R.D.'s show at the House of Blues turned from a concert to a legitimate happening. What else can you call it when Justin Timberlake strolled on stage to sing, dance and jam for almost the entire 90-minute set, while movie-star girlfriend Cameron Diaz danced in the wings like a crazy woman -- or at least like a woman having a very good time with the bar bill to prove it? It seemed like the kind of thing that might happen in New York, not Orlando, and Timberlake's hometown crowd roared all night with approval. "Making me proud, Orlando!" said Timberlake, whose solo debut featured production by producers-turned-performers Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. "Making me proud!" The former 'N Sync star, wearing a beard and attired in baggy jeans and a sporty white top accented with a red stripe, acquitted himself admirably on the material from N.E.R.D.'s latest album, Fly or Die. As a singer, Timberlake obviously has made a smooth transition from bubblegum to harder, hip-hop inflected R&B. He dropped a few f-bombs to assure his street credibility, but it was the moments when his falsetto soared to Michael Jackson altitudes that were most memorable. Even his dancing doesn't seem quite as clunky and robotic as it did with 'N Sync. Though Timberlake's surprise entrance, five songs into the generous performance, heightened the energy, Williams and Hugo didn't really need much help. Williams, dressed in a ball-cap pulled low over his forehead, a white T-shirt and khaki shorts, is the group's showman, accenting the music with conversation and expressive facial gestures. Only once did he resort to the tired command to "put your hands in the air!" The music itself is inventive, with twisting chord changes and pretty vocal choruses layered over the ever-present driving beat. With muscular grooves from backing band Spymob, "Don't Worry About It," "Backseat Love" and "The Way She Dances" were each raucous, genre-bending excursions. Behind N.E.R.D., Spymob was a more interesting sonic force than in its 30-minute opening set, which was characterized by bland, jazzy grooves that lack the hooks or rhythmic edge to stick in the brain. It was a remarkable transition when the band's guitar and drums cut into N.E.R.D.'s angular R&B such as "The Way She Dances." "That was the first time we ever performed that song live," Williams announced after that song. There would be more adventures to come. Although the plan apparently was for Timberlake to join the band for just four songs, he decided to stay for most of the show. At one point, the band departed to allow Timberlake to play one of his songs, "Senorita," accompanied only by his jazzy electric piano chords and Williams on drums. The jam session feel continued as the other musicians returned to brush against Michael Jackson and Queen songs before inviting most of the massive entourage on stage from the wings for "Lap Dance," which included a spine-bending breakdancer. Then, everyone wandered off stage, looking like a crew that was just taking the party to a different location.
Melodious gems shine among stacks of mediocre CDs I have a friend, Rob, who I see a couple of times a week at the gym. At least one of those times, Rob, an avid collector of reissues, particularly those from Rhino Records, asks me, "So what have you heard that's new and good?" Usually, I have to pause and think, for two reasons. I listen to a lot of music every day, every week and, with age, comes slightly slower recall ability. But the second, more telling reason is that there usually isn't much that was memorable enough to immediately reappear in my brain. Last year, I remember telling Rob about Fountains of Wayne, Starsailor and, possibly, Gavin DeGraw. This year, Franz Ferdinand and the JC Chasez solo outing were early recommendations, but since then, I haven't had a lot to offer him... |
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