Take Care is an unbelievably plush album. Not only are the soundscapes on the album orchestral, ethereal, but the tone of the album is equally emotionally indulgent, Drake adopting the position of a somewhat world-weary player. The tone is set unmistakably with the opening track, Over My Dead Body, a piano-chord rich number. Drake boasts of his success, detailing a sense of disaffection in equal measure: “I was drinking at the Palms last night/ Ended up losing everything that I came with,” he raps, before adding, “Feel like I been here before, huh/ Still got ten years to go, huh.” It’s a tone that stays throughout. Even whilst he’s boasting of his lyricism, his album success, on tracks like Headlines and Crew Love, there’s a note of mournfulness, of predictability, about this game. The Weeknd’s verses on Crew Love is a particularly wistful, ethereal addition.

To say that this album was a long time coming would be an understatement. Glasses Malone’s debut album, Beach Cruiser, was originally scheduled to come out in 2006; however numerous setbacks and label changes kept the album from seeing the day of light; until now. Finding a home at Suburban Noize Records, Malone has finally released the album to masses, who are anxious to see how it would turn out. So, was it worth the wait? Well, that’s going to depend what you’re looking for.

★★★★★
It’s been over 3 years since we heard anything from these guys but time seemed to give way to an album that will make you fall in love with them all over again. Jagged Edge or affectionately know as J.E. is back with their new album The Remedy, which will help you fix all of your needs. The group’s smooth voices give way to an album full of songs that almost tell a love story from beginning to end.

The album begins with a sweet prelude simply titled Intro. It’s seems to give you a sneak peak as what’s to come and leads right to the next single Love On You, which has almost the exact same melody. On the song Baby, Jagged Edge samples the song Happy by Surface, but replace the word with baby. It is a clever way to make the song their own and keep the beat almost exactly the same as the original track. Flow Through My Veins is the latest single from the album and is one of the tracks that reminds you of the first time you heard a Jagged Edge song. It’s a true love song.

The only up-tempo track, Lipstick, features a verse from Rick Ross, which is a fun track that is the only break from the slow jams that are on the rest of the album. The next couple of songs, Space Ships, Let’s Make Love, and When The Bed Shakes, are more of the same love songs. They do a good job here with keeping you in the mood and keep those slow jams coming.

Although we all know that singing about love is Jagged Edge’s specialty — it could have been nice to have a couple of those dance tracks in the album just to break up some of those love songs. It would have given the album a well-rounded feel. The guys do a good job with harmonizing and blending theirs voices together, which is why we love these guys so much.

All in all, I think Jagged Edge has a hit on their hands and most certainly need more credit than they are given. The Remedy is something to throw on, on the late night tip to set things off or cool things down.

Standout Tracks: “Flow Through My Veins”, “Lipstick”, “When The Bed Shakes”

Tracklisting:

1. Intro
2. Love On You
3. Baby
4. Flow Through My Veins
5. My Girl
6. I Need A Woman
7. Lipstick ft Rick Ross
8. Space Ship
9. Lay You Down
10. Let’s Make Love
11. When The Bed Shakes
12. Mr. Wrong

★★★★★
Big Sean maybe new to a lot of people, but he has actually been around for a cool minute. Sean met Kanye West at a radio station in 2005 and left him his demo tape. Dropping mixtapes and remixes paid off as Kanye signed the Detroit native to his G.O.O.D Music record label in 2007. Four years later, the 23 year old dropped his debut album Finally Famous: The Album.

There are two things that can sum up the project: One, is the over packed guest appearances. Features from Chris Brown to Lupe Fiasco to Kanye West to Wiz Khalifa to Rick Ross is a little much. And the second being, he is in the Drake/Wiz Khalifa catalogue…a rapper singing. Not that it is a bad thing. But at times, it’s easy to forget who you are listening to.

But there’s no need to worry because the album has a lot to offer. From fresh beats to clever lyrics, the album is fitting for the summer. The lead single My Last, featuring Chris Brown, could be the song the people will recognize but there are plenty of other good ones as well. Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay, featuring Kanye West and Roscoe Dash, is one that will bang in the clubs for sure. Memories (Part II), featuring John Legend, is a cool track that has Sean reminisce about his past. While Livin This Dream has Sean talking about his flashy life with some assistance from The-Dream. Celebrity, featuring Dwele, might be the smoothest track of them all. This in part has to do with Chicago producer No I.D. as he is responsible for producing half of the album. Others include The Neptunes, The Legendary Traxters, Mike Dean, Tricky Stewart, Boi-1da, and Exile just to name a few. Needless to say, there are plenty of beats to choose from. This alone makes the album a great listen.

However, there are some negative spots on the album as well. Songs like I Do It, Dance(A$$), and High are either forced or flat out corny. But thankfully, it’s only a small list. With a boost from top beatmakers and a major league guest lineup, the album is solid. It’s rare that a new artist gets this much for his debut album. But Sean takes advantage of it and delivers. Only question now is: What will be in stores for his next album? But being in a roster like G.O.O.D Music, there’s no need to worry.

Standout Tracks: “My Last”, “Livin This Life”, “Celebrity”

Grammy nominated R&B group Jagged Edge released their 7th studio album titled The Remedy via Slip-N-Slide Records/EMI on June 21. The quartet returns to replenish what’s been missing from R&B with an album that has that classic Jagged Edge sound: Timeless, sensual and honest R&B music that millions of fans adore.

The Remedy features the singles Baby, Tip Of My Tongue and future singles Flow Through My Veins and Lipstick featuring Rick Ross.

The first music video off the album was for Baby, directed by renown director Yolande Geralds. It was the hot joint on BET’s 106 & Park and was a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Urban AC radio charts. The second video is for their current single titled Tip Of My Tongue, featuring Trina and Gucci Mane. In support of The Remedy, Jagged Edge plans on touring this summer. Dates will be announced at a later time.

Ted Lucas, CEO of Slip-N-Slide Records, says, “Jagged Edge will help usher in a new era at Slip-N-Slide Records with The Remedy. We are excited about the release of this album and watching Jagged Edge climb up the charts again.”

This year’s BET Awards will feature many old faces returning to glory and a plethora of new faces to come onto the scene.

Making a return is Chris Brown, who released his album F.A.M.E. this year. Brown leads the field with 6 nominations including Viewers Choice, Best Collaboration, and Best Actor.

In the category of Viewers Choice and Best Collaboration, Brown’s songs Look At Me Now and Deuces will be going head to head with his ex-girlfriend Rihanna, and her collaboration with Drake on What’s My Name.

Rihanna will also be among heavy competition in the best female R&B category. Other nominees include Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson, and Marsha Ambrosius.

Just days after the death of their member M. Bone, Cali Swag District was nominated for Best Group alongside Diddy’s Dirty Money, N.E.R.D., New Boyz, and Travis Porter.

This year’s Best Male Hip-Hop Artist will be an extremely tough category with all of the contenders having an opportunity to take the crown. The nominees are Kanye West, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, B.o.B., and Drake.

The Best New Artist category is also shaping up to be a battle pitting Bruno Mars against the likes of J. Cole, Willow Smith, Miguel, and Wiz Khalifa.

The show airs live on June 26th from the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium.

Source