Music Reviews
Ashanti imitates
By Cheryl Noland
TSC Writer
Best known for her successful collaborations with rappers Ja Rule and Fat Joe on "Always On Time" and "What's Luv," hip-hop and RandB newcomer Ashanti hopes her self-titled debut proves that she's more than just a sideshow. She might, however, need a little more experience before taking center stage.
The 21-year-old is currently riding high with her first single "Foolish," which uses a sample from the '80s RandB group DeBarge made famous by the Notorious B.I.G. hit "One More Chance." Many girls can relate to Ashanti's situation of loving someone who treats them like trash. But Ashanti quickly learns her lesson in "Unfoolish," displaying her soothing vocals while using the former's identical hook in the process.
The déjà vu doesn't stop there. The track "Leaving (Always On Time Part II)" contains a similar melody from her previous hit "Always On Time." Wasn't this supposed to be a new album?
It's one thing to be inspired by artists, but it's another to blatantly imitate them. "Happy," a simple, upbeat hip-hop song, sounds like a carbon copy of Mary J. Blige's "Love Is All We Need." At least with the previous tracks Ashanti had their permission to rip them off.
Even though she lacks originality, Ashanti can hold her own crooning radio-friendly, clichéd love songs. She co-wrote her entire debut album, as well as Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule's huge smash "Ain't It Funny (Remix)." Ashanti has a tendency to put together predictable phrases with head bopping beats, which in today's industry are hit records. But it takes much more than using a formula to be a full-blown success. B-
France delivers funky new beat
By Patricia Ho
TSC Writer
A collection of 14 very danceable tracks with no deadweights, My House in Montmartre showcases some of the best of French house heard in a long time. There is absolutely nothing brooding or detached here, just a lot of happy melodies and light-hearted beats. The compilation consists of major French house players, well known and otherwise.
Driving disco beats and a pop sensibility reign in these finely crafted, diverse and yet focused selections. From Stardust's opening track, "Music Sounds Better with You," an ever-present international dance anthem for many good reasons, to Alex Gopher's booming and persuasive "Party People," not a note is out of place. In between, some of the gems include characteristically laid-back Air, contributing with "Modulator Mix," where absences are as important as presences. Sampling the Gap Band's "You are My High" with looped celebratory vocals, Demon creates a simple yet compelling dance track.
Complex, but not complicated, the music collected in Montmartre brings together contradictions, with no hint of irony. The music is at times unabashedly cheesy, yet infinitely cool, while androgynous vocals manage to be sensual. As the album sleeve cheerfully proclaims, "It took the French to snap the lightstick and make it funky again." Montmartre has its finger on the pulse of French house. A