IS YOUR MUSIC VERSED APPROVED?!

A look at newly released albums that got approved or denied!

Maino: Day After Tomorrow

Release Date: 02/28/2012

Record Label: eOne/Atlantic

Genre: Rock/Rap

Filled with un-stoppable tracks, 16 to be exact with two extra bonus tracks that are instrumental but nonetheless more than completes this new project from Brooklyn’s finest and who introduced us to the popular saying “Hi Hater”. Maino who although does extremely well on most tracks (“Unstoppable,” “Cream,” and “That Could Be Us”) receives much help from great talent such as T.I. who puts his master work on “Cream” and let’s not discuss the first line that burst out his mouth: BANANA’S. But to continue, Meek Mills, Push Montana, Roscoe Dash, and Robbie Nova are some of the voices to be heard on this much anticipated album for those who haven’t taken a listen. Brooklyn stand up! When great things are done, good things happen like a certified spot in the VERSED approved vault!

Michael Jackson:Icon

Release Date: 03/06/2012

Record Label: Universal Motown

Genre: Rock/Pop/R&B

Presenting to you all from Universal’s 2012 Icon is 11 tracks from Michael Jackson’s solo recordings for his years at Motown. The album which holds a few classics here “Got to Be There,” “I Wanna Be Where You Are” and perhaps “Rockin’ Robin”; this does not quite show his prime but nonetheless this compilation shows some of M.J’s best.Versed readers can reminisce on these over-looked singles and album tracks, and hopefully this isn’t the first Jackson album with the legends best work you all have or are getting. Although this could’ve been better, it’s not a bad start, enjoy this and go out get more that show off the late artist’s phenomenal work. This album has been VERSED approved!

Diana Ross: Icon

Release Date: 03/06/2012

Record Label: Motown

Genre:R&B

Universal’s Icon series has done it yet again, this time with a Diana Ross collection. On the album, most of the selections, cover Ross self-titled 1970 solo album, ft. hit duets such as “Endless Love” with Lionel Richie and the most popular “Aint No Mountain High Enough with the late Marvin Gaye. The music rounded up for this iconic selection could be vital for any fan of the big-haired songstress. While this is well-put together, obviously 11 tracks could not possibly come close to explaining why we love Tracey Ellis Ross’ mom . But good job! This album gets VERSED approved.

Ruben Studdard: Letters To Burmingham

Release Date: 03/13/2012

Record Label: Shanachie

Genre: R&B

Our velvet teddy bear is back and has brought new work with him! Yes, it’s another album and with much negativity surrounding his separation and divorce from his wife last year; the “American Idol” season 2 winner shows nothing has changed. Letters From Burmingham which is the artist’s fifth album appears to be his strongest work yet, inviting listeners into a more personal realm than before. The 16-track musical memoir presents a heartfelt musical story touching on the emotional ups and downs that relationships bring; which the “Sorry 2004” singer would know all to well about. Based largely on his highly publicized marriage, Rubens deep and passionate vocal conveyance leave no doubt that the issue at hand is real meaningful and close to his heart. Letters From Birmingham is a true start to finish album and good work at it’s finest.

Lee Fields: Faithful Man

Release Date: 03/13/2012

Record Label: Truth and Soul

Genre: R&B/Rock/Pop

Lee Fields who’s been in the game for about 43 years now returns to give listeners   a mind-blowing whip-lash of what he’s making today with Brooklyn’s Truth & Soul Records, and it is the best of his career. While connecting comparisons to such musical influences like The Moments, The Delfonics, The Stylistics, and-of course, James Brown, Faithful Man is able to create a space of its own due to the group’s desire to explicate formulas of good soul music rather than imitate other music. With much help from the Truth & Soul producers and co-owners, Jeff Silverman and Leon Michels provided great success for this project, were also responsible for such records by Adele, GhostfaceKillah, and Jay-Z to name a few; so this work by Fields should be a good one. This album has been VERSED approved.