SINGLES P T

LI l' LLv'

SINGLES

P O T

T S

Edited by Chuck Taylor

POP

MARC ANTHONY I Need You (4:09)

PRODUCERS: Cory Rooney and Dan Shea

WRITER: C. Rooney

PUBLISHER: Sony/ATV Songs/Coriliffani, BMI Columbia Records 56788 (CD promo) The release of the launch single from Marc Anthony's sophomore English

project, Mended, was sidelined in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, because its title-"Tragedy" -seemed an inappropriate sentiment to express in an uptempo song. A few months later, the more wistful but thematically thumbs -up "I Need You" has been serviced to radio. A lot has changed since Anthony blasted onto the pop airwaves with "I Need to Know" three years ago. And while this song showcases the singer /songwriter's ample vocal gifts as a contender against an increasingly rockand R &B-flavored landscape, it's a shame that he didn't mark his return with something that sounds a little more original. There's no such thing as a given at top 40 radio for pure

pop artists -no matter how talented

they are-and this track just doesn't

seem to have the juice to push it over

the top. AC stations are likely to react immediately, but it seems a better bet that the folks at Columbia should trust their first instincts and reconsider "Tragedy." Because it would be just that for this deserving artist to

get lost in the shuffle. -CT

* LISA LOEB Someone You Should

Know (3:22) PRODUCER: not listed

WRITER: not listed

PUBLISHER: not listed A &M Records (CD promo)

She's still got the geek -chick glasses, and she's still one of the coolest girls in her class. It has been four years since we last had a full -length album from Lisa Loeb, and she still sounds

as fresh as she did back.in the dark ages with "Stay (I Missed You)," before female singer /songwriters

came into fashion -and then went

back out of fashion. As always, keen melody and a passionate, lively delivery are at the forefront of "Someone You Should Know," but more so, there's Loeb's highly appealing way with a wise, conversational lyric about searching beyond the obvious that makes this a standout track for adult top 40 radio: "What you got isn't what you wanted/What you need just happens to be/Someone you should know." Crisp acoustic instrumentation and an easy-going midtempo pace are the finishing touches that make this an effort to applaud. Too bad there aren't more like her still around. This is good stuff, and even better is the upcom-

ing Cake and Pie, due Feb. 26. -CT

COUNTRY

ALAN JACKSON Drive (For Daddy Gene) (3:57)

PRODUCER: Keith Stegall

WRITER: A. Jackson

BABYFACE I Keep Callin' (3:52)

PRODUCERS: Heavy D. and Babyface

WRITERS: Heavy D., Babyface, A. Nance,

and B. James

PUBLISHERS: Soul On Soul /EMI -April/

Anthony Nance MuzidNaked Soul /Musi-

corp., ASCAP; ECAF Music/Sony /ATV

Songs, BMI

Arista 5079 (CD promo)

- Babyface continues to prove he is a

man of many faces-and styles

with the third single from his multi platinum Face 2 Face. Following the nominal success of "What If," which peaked at No. 28 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, the award -winning singer/songwriter continues to broaden his horizons, this time dabbling in old- school soul. Co -produced by rapper- turned-label -executive/producer Heavy D., the midtempo "I Keep Callin' " is powered by a grooving combination of organs and horns. In the end, the song sounds a lot like Babyface's tribute to Al Green. Lyrically, Face again sports the sensitive soul side, longing for a lover who has left and won't return his calls. While such neo-soulsters as Glenn Lewis, D'Angelo, and Musiq Soulchild have had out-of-the -box success by reaching back to the classic '70s sound, it will be interesting to see how R&B fans will feel about an established, traditional R &B artist known for lush ballads musing in the genre. Babyface's last dramatic turn, 2001's "There She Goes," scored him a top 10 hit,

so maybe change is good. -RH

RACHAEL LAMPA No Greater Love (4:24) PRODUCERS: Brown Bannister and Brent Bourgeois WRITERS: C. Eaton and M. Becker PUBLISHERS: Dayspring /SGO /m BMI; His Eye /Maggie Bees, SESAC Word Records 886 1822 (CD promo)

In a world that remains hungry for inspiration and hope, "No Greater Love" is a healing salve for that which ails our collective conscience. Seventeen-year-old Rachael Lampa comes by way of the contemporary Christian community, with four Dove Award nominations under her

wings and a 2001 Dove trophy for inspirational song of the year for "Blessed." While many may choose to use faith as the inspiration for "No Greater Love," the stunning power ballad certainly holds universal meaning in the secular world as well, whether it be directed at family, a spouse, or friends. Kaleidescope, which streets March 5, is definitely Lampa's bow to a top 40 audience, and the results glisten with potential. Her voice is heavenly, indeed, among the ranks of Jessica Simpson or a burgeoning Celine

Dion -give this girl a meatloaf

recipe to sing and she'd make tasteful music of it. It's due time for mainstream America to discover this bountifully gifted talent, who is as lovely and personable as she is vocally blessed. A gorgeous entry

point for greater good. -CT

INDIA.ARIE Video (4:11)

PRODUCERS: India.Arie and Carlos Broady

WRITERS: India.Arie, S. Sanders, and

C. Broady

PUBLISHER: Gold & Iron /Sony/ATV/

Good High, ASCAP; Six July Publishing/

J. Music

Motown 20340 (CD promo) Even before the Grammy Awards

telecast Wednesday (27), multiple nominee India.Arie is getting her just deserts as radio interest in her debut single, "Video," is rejuvenated, thanks to high -profile nods in both the song and record of the year and best new artist categories. It's a shame that, as is so often the case, today's corporate radio seldom sniffs out the hits on its own anymore (look no further than LeAnn Rimes' "Can't Fight the Moonlight," which took radio two years to get) but the point is that listeners are at last being given a chance to experience what critics have been clamoring over for a year now. "Video" is a midtempo, self-affirming take- me- as -I -am anthem, complemented in simple fashion with creamy layers of harmony and the hooky strumming of a guitar. The singer/songwriter's lazy vocal style makes this breezy track sound all the more effortless. Ah, the joy of accessible music sans the gimmicks and self- conscious trendiness. This is the start of

something good -all over again.

From the platinum-and counting-Acoustic Soul.-CT

PUBLISHERS: EMI April Music,Tri-Angels Music, ASCAP Arista 69124 (CD promo)

Though known as a notoriously private artist who eschews the glare of celebrity, Alan Jackson never hesi-

tates to bare his soul in music. It's in poignant, autobiographical songs like this that Jackson provides fans

N E W & NOTEWORTH Y

110 Rapture (Tastes So Sweet) (3:12)

PRODUCER: Markus Moser

WRITERS: N. Ali and M. Moser

PUBLISHERS: Renemade Music, BMI;

EMI Music Publishing UK

REMIXERS: John Creamer, Stephanie K.

Universal Records (CD promo)

Songs like "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" from Eiffel 65 appear from out of the, uh, blue every now and again and manage to scratch that rare itch that U.S. radio programmers have for dance music. "Rapture (Tastes So Sweet)" from European outfit lio (pronounced eye -o) is also one of those standout novelty tracks that will instantly strike a musical

,w,x ,..

.,vrt,oA Luso .a..?

-if chord with the American public

broadcasters give them the oppor-

tunity to hear it. Already, the song

has turned gold in the U.K., Australia, Belgium, Austria, Switzer-

land, and Greece, and fervent U.S.

believers are already blossoming in many major markets. On the Bill-

board dance charts, lio is already a certified phenomenon. Next stop: Top 40. The joy of being alive propels from all angles throughout this dynamic anthem, which features an other-worldly female vocal that's just the icing on the cake.

"Rapture" indeed tastes so sweet

that if given the chance, it is destined for a rapid ascension into the

top reaches of The Billboard Hot

100. Just delicious. -CT

a glimpse into the experiences that have shaped his honest, no- holdsbarred brand of traditional country music. This is the title cut from Jackson's groundbreaking new album, which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. Written as a tribute to his father, the song finds Jackson reliving watershed moments in his life when his father turned him loose behind the wheel of an old plywood boat and later a 1964 Ford truck. "It was just an old hand-me -down Ford/With a three speed on the column and a dent in the door /A young boy two hands on the wheel/I can't replace the way it made me feel." In the final verse, he speaks of letting his young daughters drive his old Jeep, hoping they'll one day look back fondly at the same kind of memory. It's a heartfelt lyric that allows listeners to share a stroll down memory lane with Jacksor and appreciate a kinder, simpler time. He delivers it with the same honesty, integrity, and emotional warmth that has always made listeners powerfully connect with his work. A lesser artist would have had trouble following up a andmark song such as his last single, "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," but Jackson just lets loose with another straight- from -theheart song that touches a chord with all who hear it. His father

would be proud. DEP

ROCK

* SLIPKNOT My Plague (2:59)

PRODUCERS: Foss Robinson and Slipknot WRITER: Slipknot PUBLISHER: EMI April Music Inc. /Music

That Music, ASCAP

REMIXER:Terry Date Roadrunner 10013 (CD promo)

Despite Slipknot's impressive record sales, radio has yet to warm up to metal's most theatrical ninesome. "My Plague," originally included on 2001's Iowa, has been reworked for the soundtrack to the zombie flick Resident Evil, due in early spring. This hyper cut condenses the song into three minutes, with pounding percussion and punctuated guitars marking time. Just as the ferocious roars of Corey Taylor (aka No. 8, the one with the dredlocks sprouting from his mask) begin to get intimidating, he waxes melodic on the chorus, which is catchy enough to pick up some spins at rock radio. The world's loudest nonet tours Europe and Asia during the next few weeks, proving the global appeal of masked rock. Scary. But that's good for these boys from Des Moines, Iowa, who, between the movie placement and the radio potential, are likely to pick up some new fans back

in the U.S. -EA

FOR THE RECORD

Due to an editing error, the members of Alabama were incorrectly identified in a country review Feb. 16. They are Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook, and Mark Herndon.

. (): *): Eric Alese, Rashaun Hall, Deborah

CONTRIBUTORS.

Evans Price, Chuck Taylor. SPOTLIGHT: Releases deemed by the review editors to deserve special attention on the basis of musical merit and/or Billboard chart potential.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Exceptional releases by new or

upcoming artists. PICKS

New releases predicted to hit the top half of the chart in the corresponding format. CRITICS' CHOICES (

New releases, regardless of chart potential, highly recommended because of their musical merit. Send review copies to ChudcTaylor (Bill-

board, 770 Broadway, 6th floor, Newyork, N.Y. 10003) or to the writers in the appropriate bureaus.

26



BILLBOARD MARCH 2, 2002

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