Chronicle Online 3/29: Power Of Our Rhythm

Power Of Our Rhythm

By Timothy L. Mathews
Correspondant

What’s up Columbia Peeps!! This is the man that people hate to love. First off I want to
thank this fine institution for four long years of sweat, adversity and, most of all, knowledge.
Without the help of the faculty I would’ve never finished the journey. Secondly, I want to
apologize for my two-and-out routine I pulled on my columns last semester (like any of you
remember!). It was my last semester and the schedule got a little hectic with two jobs (That’s
okay, Tim. We understand. -Eds.). Since I’ve been out of school, I’ve been looking for gigs (out
of town) related to the marketing/promotion aspect of the music industry. I’ve had three
interviews in the last three weeks and if all goes well; one will pay off. Wherever I’m at next
semester, I’ll be doing a weekly update on my adventures in the music industry. Right now,
that’s neither here nor there. I know what you want, so why don’t I just give it to you.

I want to wish the family of Corine “Cookie" Hamilton the best and let them know that
they are in my prayers. Cookie was a dedicated employee of the famed George’s Music Room
on Chicago’s westside. She worked there for 16 years. She was also a caring mother, a great
music historian and a good friend. I loved the time we spent as co-workers and she will be surely
missed.

Somebody help! Trey Lorenz needs a hot producer to save his career. It seems that he
had the best song that nobody knew about in 1997 ("Make You Happy" off the "Men In Black
Soundtrack") and his label (So So Def/Columbia) didn’t do a good job letting the rest of the
world know. I play that **** now and it’s still hot.

Speaking of artists’ rising out of the grave, big ups to Def Jam for the wonderful job
they’re doing with R&B crooner Case. Ever since his split form Mary J. Blige, I thought his
career was finished. Last year though, he gave us a top five hit with the stellar "Faded Pictures,"
which also featured mack extraordinaire Joe. Now he’s representing with a sureshot for a
wedding song called "Happily Ever After." At this rate, Def Jam might embark on their second
platinum R&B artist!

Word of advice to all the Public Announcement listeners waiting for the new single "John
Doe": keep waiting. The group is gambling that the mad response the song has been getting will
give them a better position in contract negotiations with their new parent company, Interscope.
Along with the loss of one group member and auditions for another, the earliest release for
another album could be fall.

Elgin Lumpkin (what a name!) a.k.a Ginuwine is back with a crucial sophomore effort
that’s taking no prisoners. The CD, entitled "100%Ginuwine," takes him from pony-riding
extraordinaire to a man that’s considering settling down. The title cut, entitled "What’s So
Different," comes equipped with the Timbaland trademark, which is the bit of the unusual. This
time it’s the Godzilla roar that highlights the song. This song hits home also because the lyrics
are real. In the song, he asks the female who he’s messing around with if she leaves her man,
how can he be sure that she wouldn’t do it to him? "So Anxious," another cut on the album,
portrays a man that is ready to make love, but in a very gentle way of expression. This one’s
definitely for the Troi Tyler set on WGCI. "Final Warning," a duet featuring Aaliyah, will propel
the album over the top. This song captures an embattled couple in a John Doe-type of way.
There’s the evidence of the lovebirds repeatedly lying to each other. In one part of the song,
Ginuwine refers his being the same ol’ G and proclaims nothing has changed. The hook is mesmerizing and the music is very relative to the "Are You That Somebody" track. This album
has a constant flow of different styles of music, with each holding there own in keeping the
listener interested. Can we say 3 x platinum boys and girls! Peace and hair grease, I’m out!!