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Johnny and the Sprites is a popular Disney Channel television series. Walt Disney Records has released a brand new children’s music CD titled “Johnny & The Sprites.” The CD features 19 songs from the popular kids show. The CD opens with the Johnny and the Sprites theme song “Johnny & The Sprites.” The disc also features popular songs such as “Give It A Try,” “A New Friend,” and “Muddle in the Puddle.” These happy upbeat songs will be perfect for a kids party or for a kid themed event. Walt Disney Records has also released “Choo Choo Soul” which features music from the popular children’s entertainer Choo Choo Soul. The Choo Choo Soul CD/DVD combo features 13 songs and a bonus DVD with 11 videos. The Johnny & the Sprites music CD and the Choo Choo Soul CD/DVD combo are available in stores now.

Triple Crown Publications has released the book The Pink Palace by Marlon McCaulsky. The Pink Palace is a fast paced exciting novel about an Atlanta stripper named Janelle Taylor. The teenager runaway works at the strip club The Pink Palace to make ends meet. Her cousin introduces her to life as a stripper. Life working at the Pink Palace is exciting to say the least and the money is good. Things get real interesting for Janelle when she falls in love with her pimp. She wants true love but can a pimp provide true love to a woman who works as a stripper? The Pink Palace is a good read and it would make a good movie. Marlon McCaulsky, the author went to school for Computer Animation and he is also a screenwriter. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia and has written several screenplays.

Triple Crown Publications has released the book “Cut Throat” by K. Roland Williams. The book is about a local celebrity from the hood. The handsome protagonist is the lead singer for a popular R&B band. He aspires to live the good life and enjoy luxurious things. Record label drama ensues and he finds himself being pursued by a record company with a notorious reputation. In between his music career he has to worry about drug dealers, a passionate love affair and a federal investigation. He is left feeling that he might end up in prison one day due to all of the drama surrounding his life and his career. The book is based on the gritty streets of Washington D.C. “Cut Throat” is a thrilling urban novel that readers should enjoy. The tie in to the music industry makes the book a compelling read.

R&B singer Craig David has released his fourth CD “Trust Me.” The album is available in the United States, which is a plus for fans of the international singer. The U.K. singer is best known in the U.S. for his hits “Fill Me In,” and “7 Days” from his early release “Born To Do It.” “Trust Me,” is a funky collection of eleven songs. The first single from the album, “Hot Stuff,” is an up-tempo dance track that borrows a sample from the David Bowie classic “Let’s Dance.” “Friday Night” is a great funky R&B flavored song.

The U.K. second single, “6 of 1 Thing,” is a really awesome song. The vocals are really good and the music is far different than anything Craig David has ever released. It’s guaranteed to spawn re-mixes and it’s a great dance song. “Awkward” is a mellow laid back soulful track. It’s one of the stand out songs on the album. “Just A Reminder” is a smooth R&B album track. “Officially Yours” is a beautiful song. It’s one of Craig David’s most memorable ballads. It’s really a great song. It was the third single released from the album in the U.K.

“Kinda Girl for Me,” is a mid-tempo song that borrows from a classic sample. It’s a nice summer time type of song. “She’s on Fire,” is one of the hottest songs on the album. It’s crazy funky. Craig David really did a great job on this song and his fans will be pleased. “Don’t Play With Our Love,” is a crazy dance track. Craig David’s vocals are on point and the music is fantastic. Performed with a live band, “Don’t Play With Our Love,” is another stand out track on the album.

“Top of the Hill,” is a slow song. It’s not quite a ballad. It’s kind of melancholy in nature, it’s storytelling in nature reminiscent of the song “Johnny,” from his third album “The Story Goes…” The album ends with the song “This Is The Girl,” featuring U.K R&B artist Kano. This fast tempo song is a great way to end the album.

Craig David fans will really be pleased with “Trust Me.” The album displays Craig David’s growth as an artist as he delves more into his own unique style of R&B. “Trust Me,” is not the kind of album that will put you to sleep. The up-tempo songs stand out and there are few ballads on the album. Craig David fans will enjoy “Trust Me.”

Madonna has released her latest CD “Hard Candy.” The twelve track CD is her best release to date. The album is comprised primarily of up-tempo and dance tracks. The tracks are more melodic, urban and dance floor quality rather than techno. The album’s first single was the huge single “4 Minutes,” featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. “Hard Candy” is a very modern Madonna album. Fans of current pop artists will relate to the album. Fans who enjoy Madonna classic’s such as “Holiday,” “Music,” and “Into the Groove,” will enjoy the updated yet familiar sound of “Hard Candy.”

“Candy Shop” is a cool mid-tempo track produced by Pharrell Williams. Pharrell actually produces a handful of songs on the album. “Give It To Me,” is a fast paced urban pop synth inspired song with a futuristic edge. “Heartbeat” is a funky track with a nice melodic chorus. “Miles Away” is a laid back song that fits nicely on the album. “She’s Not Me” is a sassy song that stands out on the album. It’s the perfect get back at the wrong guy song. “Incredible” is one of the best songs on the album. One thing that is instantly noticeable on “Hard Candy” is the fact that the album blends together very continuously. “Beat Goes On,” is a funky club friendly track. “Dance 2Night” is another equally funky urban flavored track. “Spanish Lesson” is a fast paced salsa inspired track. “Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You,” is a very memorable song for Madonna. It’s a really great song. The album closes with the song “Voices,” which is another funky track.

Music fans will appreciate the appearances on “Hard Candy” by producer’s Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West and Timbaland.

“Hard Candy” is Madonna’s best album in many years. It’s a great collection of songs that are great for the summer and the club. There isn’t one ballad in the bunch. The album features production by Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Danja and Kanye West.

Mariah Carey is back with her latest release “E=MC (2)” The album follows up her hugely successful album “The Adventures of Mimi.” “E=MC (2)” features 14 brand new tracks. The album opens up with the funky song “Migrate” featuring T-Pain. This could easily be a single. The song is very radio friendly. “Migrate” is followed up by the album’s first single the #1 song “Touch My Body.” “Touch My Body” is a bouncy song that has become a favorite among Mariah fans. One of the funkiest songs on the album is the song “Cruise Control” featuring Damian Marley. “I Stay In Love,” and “Love Story” are classic Mariah love songs. The song “Bye Bye,” is a song that will strike a chord with people who have lost the special someone that they love. It’s a memorable Mariah Carey love song. Mariah fans will cling to this song. Although Mariah is very well known for her love songs and ballads, she is also remembered for her funky hip-hop inspired songs. “Side Effects” featuring Young Jeezy is a hip-hop flavored that Mariah’s young audience will appreciate. “O.O.C.” is a roller skating friendly up-tempo song. Mariah fans will be pleased with “E-MC (2).” It’s a great follow up to the “Adventures of Mimi.”

The B52’s are back with their first studio release in over a decade. “Funplex” is a good time album that fans of the foursome will especially appreciate. The song “Pump” is a up-tempo song with a really good sound. The group really hasn’t lost any of the style that they captured in the 80’s. The group experiments with a lot of different sounds on “Funplex.” Songs like “Juliet of Spirits” and “Love in the Year 3000,” are really laid back cool songs, not really fast paced dance songs. Fans of B52’s songs such as “Roam” and “Song for a Future Generation,” will appreciate these songs. Cindy and Kate harmonize nicely on the song “Juliet of Spirits.” “Funplex” is the kind of song that fans of The B52’s will relate too. It’s a signature B52’s song. It’s fun, happy and friendly. “Deviant Ingredient” is a laid back mellow song. Overall, “Funplex” is a fun, happy return to the music of The B52’s. Fans of the group will be pleased.

American Idol judge Randy Jackson has released a compilation CD titled “Randy Jackson Music Club Vol. 1.” The 13 song compilation features great new music from some of the most talented artists in the industry. The CD opens up with a great brand new song from pop star Paula Abdul. “Dance Like It’s No Tomorrow” is one of the first new songs from Paula Abdul in years. It’s a great uptempo dance song and Paula Abdul fans will be pleased to hear new music from the American Idol judge. The song is followed by the hot song “Walk on By,” by soulful singer Joss Stone. Bon Jovi member Richie Sambora is featured on the compilation with a solo song titled “Willing to Try.” The majority of the other artists featured on the set are new artists. Kelli Love, Barbie Esco, and Sam Moore are among the other artists featured on the set. Former American Idol winner Katherine McPhee is featured on the set with the song “Real Love.” Rounding out the artists featured on the CD are Van Hunt, Kim Burrell, Trisha Covington, and Crunk Squad. “Randy Jackson Music Club Vol. 1″ is in stores now.