ThatsMyJam.Net

300th Post ... And We've Moved!

2010-03-05T14:37:00.002-05:00

Greetings loyal That's My Jam readers!

This marks the site's 300th post! Congratulations to us and thanks to all of you for reading!

As you may have noticed, That's My Jam has been quiet for a few months. We felt the site was in need of a new look and a more consistent approach to posting.

Well, we'd like to think it we've achieved. Visit our new site at:

http://thatsmyjamradio.wordpress.com

Add this link to your Google Reader to stay up to date on That's My Jam's posts. You can also still access us at www.thatsmyjam.net, but for some reason, when you add that feed to Google Reader, it brings up posts from this site. Sigh.

We look forward to you joining us on WordPress!

Showstoppers: Vesta - "Do Ya"

2009-11-27T09:26:00.003-05:00

At some point, we'll get the music video of this song uploaded to YouTube, but in the meantime, here's a mean performance of Vesta's "Do Ya" at the famous Apollo Theater in 1991.

Jam of the Moment

2009-10-25T14:20:00.000-04:00

Is anyone else obsessed with Ameerah's "The Sound of Missing You"?

That's My Jam Top 10 - September 2009

2009-09-22T09:00:00.004-04:00

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. Mario featuring Gucci Mane & Sean Garrett – “Break Up” (5)
2. Jordin Sparks – “Battlefield” (7)
3. AnnaGrace – “Let the Feelings Go” (6)
4. David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over” (1)
5. Maxwell – “Pretty Wings” (2)
6. Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling” (4)
7. Freemasons & Sophie Ellis-Bextor – “Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer” (-)
8. Madonna – “Celebration” (-)
9. Ginuwine – “Last Chance” (-)
10. Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne – “Down" (-)

The Leak - 09.21.09 (Part 7 of 7)

2009-09-21T23:59:00.003-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Whitney Houston

MUSIC
Charlie Wilson, Faith Evans, JoJo, Jordin Sparks, Omarion, Steve Russell, Tank, Tamar Braxton, Toni Braxton & Tyrese – “If You Dream” – [Bring Da Beat Back ]

VIDEOS
Corte Ellis – “Money on the Floor” – [Blak Music First]

Day26 – “Then There’s You,” “Just Getting Started” & “Perfectly Blind” – [Bring Da Beat Back]

JLS – “Everybody in Love” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Riz – “She Loves Me” – [Blak Music First]

Whitney Houston – “Million Dollar Bill” – [C.S. Perspective]

The Leak - 09.21.09 (Part 6 of 7)

2009-09-21T20:00:00.002-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Alicia Keys

MUSIC
Alicia Keys – “Doesn’t Mean Anything” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Beyoncé – “Control” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Toni Braxton – “I Hate Love” – [We Are Pop Slags]

VIDEOS
Alexandra Burke – “Bad Boys” – [C.S. Perspective]

Tata Young – “My Bloody Valentine” – [Pop+Nation]

Vanessa Amorosi – “This Is Who I Am” – [Pop+Nation]

The Leak - 09.21.09 (Part 5 of 7)

2009-09-21T16:00:00.001-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Anjulie

MUSIC
T-ara & Supernova – “Time to Love” – [Pop+Nation]

VIDEOS
Amy Pearson – “Butterfingers” – [Pop+Nation]

Anjulie – “Rain” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Chantal Kreviazuk – “Invincible” – [PopDirt]

Faydee – “Drunk (Off Your Love)” – [Blak Music First]

KSM – “Read Between the Lines” – [Pop+Nation]

Naturi Naughton – “Fame” – [We Are Pop Slags]

The Leak - 09.21.09 (Part 4 of 7)

2009-09-21T12:00:00.002-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Janet Jackson

MUSIC
Alesha Dixon – “To Love Again” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Dolly Rockers – “Bingo Freak” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Honor Society – “Not Over You” – [Pop Music Scene]

Janet Jackson – “Make Me” – [Mixtape Maestro 2.0]

Jordin Sparks – “Road to Paradise” – [Bring Da Beat Back]

Leona Lewis – “Happy” – [People]

Madonna featuring Lil Wayne – “Revolver” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Super Junior M – “Super Girl” – [Pop+Nation]

The Leak - 09.21.09 (Part 3 of 7)

2009-09-21T08:00:00.003-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Robbie Rivera

VIDEOS
Madonna – “Celebration” (Fan Version) – [PopDirt]

Medina – “You and I” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Parralox – “Hotter” – [PopDirt]

Remute – “Lampuca for Everyone” – [VIBE4ME]

Robbie Rivera – “Closer to the Sun” – [VIBE4ME]

Sharam featuring Kid Cudi – “She Came Along”– [VIBE4ME]

Soft Toy Emergency – “Critical” – [PopDirt]

Tinchy Stryder – “You’re Not Alone” – [Smokin’ New Music ]

The Leak - 09.21.09 (Part 2 of 7)

2009-09-21T04:00:00.003-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Kaci Battaglia

VIDEOS
Alphabeat – “The Spell” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Annamari Dancs – “Live Your Life” – [PopDirt]

Cascada – “Fever” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Cinnamon Chasers – “Luv Deluxe” – [VIBE4ME]

Dave Matthias featuring Natalia Flores – “Angel on the Dancefloor” – [That’s My Jam]

Honorebel featuring Pitbull – “Now You See It” – [Blak Music First]

Kaci Battaglia – “Crazy Possessive” – [Pop+Nation]

Livvi Franc featuring Pitbull – “Now I’m That Bitch” – [J. Mensah’s Billboard Files]

The Leak - 09.21.09 (Part 1 of 7)

2009-09-21T00:01:00.003-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Kim English

MUSIC
Cerf, Mitiska & Jaren – “Beggin’ You” – [New Trance Music]

Crookers featuring Kelis – “No Security” – [We Are Pop Slags]

DJ Ortzy vs. Ian Carey – “Rise of the Gems” (Mark Bale Bootleg) – [VIBE4ME]

Ilya Soloviev – “Universal Universe” – [New Trance Music]

Kim English – “Nothing’s Impossible” (The Str8jackets Asylum Dub) – [About.com]

Madonna – “It’s So Cool” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Sandy Rivera featuring Haze – “Escape” (S. Rivera and C. Castel Remix) – [VIBE4ME]

VIDEOS
Air – “Sing Sang Sung” – [PopDirt]

Showstoppers: Trey Songz - "I Need a Girl"

2009-09-20T12:00:00.000-04:00

Keepin' it sexy is Trey Songz with his Wendy Williams Show performance of "I Need a Girl."

That's My Jam R&B Chart - September 2009

2009-09-15T09:00:00.001-04:00

Mario

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. Mario featuring Gucci Mane & Sean Garrett – “Break Up” (2)
2. Maxwell – “Pretty Wings” (1)
3. Ginuwine – “Last Chance” (8)
4. Mariah Carey – “Obsessed” (-)
5. Beyoncé – “Ego” (4)
6. Jeremih – “Imma Star (Everywhere We Are)” (9)
7. Mary J. Blige featuring Drake – “The One” (-)
8. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down” (3)
9. R. Kelly featuring Keri Hilson – “Number One” (-)
10. Ryan Leslie – “You're Not My Girl” (-)

The Leak - 09.14.09 (Part 6 of 6)

2009-09-14T20:00:00.003-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Sean Paul

VIDEOS
Pretty Ricky – “Tipsy In Dis Club” – [Blak Music First]

Sammie – “Mafia Music” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Sean Paul – “Press It Up” – [Blak Music First]

Trey Songz featuring Drake – “Successful” – [RnB Dirt]

Verse Simmonds – “Buy You a Round” – [Blak Music First]

Whitney Houston – “I Look To You” – [Blak Music First]

The Leak - 09.14.09 (Part 5 of 6)

2009-09-14T16:00:00.003-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Toni Braxton

MUSIC
Toni Braxton – “Yesterday” – [Bring Da Beat Back]

VIDEOS
Beenie Man – “Gimme Gimme Gimme” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Dirty Money – “Angels” – [Blak Music First]

Jeremih – “Break Up to Make Up” – [Blak Music First]

Keri Hilson – “Slow Dance” – [Blak Music First]

Mishon – “Just a Kiss” – [Mixtape Maestro 2.0]

Novel – “F*ck with My Mind” – [Blak Music First]

The Leak - 09.14.09 (Part 4 of 6)

2009-09-14T12:00:00.002-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Ciara

MUSIC
Ciara – “Switch” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Destiny’s Child – “Heart” – [Bring Da Beat Back]

RydazNRtist – “Sorry Ass Apology” – [C. S. Perspective]

VIDEOS
Robbie Williams – “Bodies” – [PopDirt]

Stefanie Heinzmann – “No One (Can Ever Change My Mind)” – [PopDirt]

WOW – “Unforgiven” – [PopDirt]

Young Soul Rebels – “I Got Soul” – [PopDirt]

The Leak - 09.14.09 (Part 3 of 6)

2009-09-14T08:00:00.004-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Kylie Minogue

VIDEOS
Jesse McCartney featuring T-Pain – “Body Language” – [Blak Music First]

Jonas Brothers – “Keep It Real” – [Pop+Nation]

Jordin Sparks – “S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)” – [Blak Music First]

Kylie Minogue featuring Akshay Kumar – “Chiggy Wiggy” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Miley Cyrus – “When I Look at You” – [Blazing Swarm]

Natalie Imbruglia – “Want” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Priscilla Renea – “Dollhouse” – [Bring Da Beat Back]

The Leak - 09.14.09 (Part 2 of 6)

2009-09-14T04:00:00.002-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Dolly Rockers

MUSIC
Dolly Rockers – “Boys Will Be Boys” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Miray – “Jump Pump” – [Pop+Nation]

Sugarbabes – “About a Girl” – [We Are Pop Slags]

VIDEOS
Damien Leith – “To Get to You” – [PopDirt]

Dragonette – “Pick Up the Phone” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Dream – “Perfect Girls” – [Pop+Nation]

When Saints Go Machine – “Splitting Image” – [PopDirt]

The Leak - 09.14.09 (Part 1 of 6)

2009-09-14T00:01:00.003-04:00

Future club, radio and video hits, featuring Melinda Doolittle

MUSIC
Morgan Page – “Fight For You” (Roger Shah Remix) – [About.com]

Roger Shah & Signum – “Healesville Sanctuary” (Roger Shah Remix) – [New Trance Music]

VIDEOS
Bijou – “Two Bottles” – [About.com]

Kristine W. – “Be Alright” – [PopDirt]

Kid Cudi – “Day ‘N’ Nite” (Crookers Remix) – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Martin Solveig featuring Dragonette – “Boys & Girls” – [PopDirt]

Melina Doolittle – “It’s Your Love” – [About.com]

Showstoppers: Color Me Badd - "I Adore Mi Amor"

2009-09-13T12:00:00.001-04:00

Remember when Color Me Badd ruled the world? Re-live those days with their live rendition of "I Adore (Mi Amor)."

Playlist - That's My Jam Mix September 2009

2009-09-12T12:01:00.000-04:00

Taylor Dayne

Click here to view the playlist.

Shows We Miss - Freak City

2009-09-10T16:00:00.002-04:00

Debut: 1998?

Last Seen: 1999?

Why We Love It: Freak City was a cable access television show that appeared on stations throughout the United States. It regularly featured electronic music videos, footage from festivals and concerts, and periodically had interviews with artists within the myriad genres. Produced by Arcade America, the show regularly promoted the label’s TranceGlobalNation CD series (see what we had to say about the first installment). The appeal of the show was that hardly anyone we knew watched it. In fact, we only stumbled upon it by accident during college. We happened to be flipping channels at the precise moment when the station that aired it in Phoenix went from showcasing real estate listings to broadcasting Freak City. Talk about random, but our luck turned into an opportunity to see the latest work from Daft Punk, Mark Van Dale and Enrico, and Greece 2000. We were so entranced that we tuned in every Thursday (at least, we think that’s when it aired), despite new episodes appearing every other month.

What Happened? Arcade America folded. We’re not sure when, but we know the last TranceGlobalNation CD (volume six) was released in October 2001. The last time we witnessed a new episode of Freak City was in mid-to-late 1999. Do any of our readers know what happened, or have any insight or memories about Freak City? If so, please share them in the comments section.

Will It Return? We can only hope.

Throwback Thursday - History Lesson

2009-09-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

Chris Walker – [Rare and Obscure Music]

Gerry Woo – [Rare and Obscure Music]

Joyce Sims – [Rare and Obscure Music]

Kathy Mathis – [Rare and Obscure Music]

Seduction – [dontstopthemusik]

That's My Jam Pop Chart - September 2009

2009-09-08T09:00:00.003-04:00

Jordin Sparks

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. Jordin Sparks – “Battlefield” (2)
2. Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling” (1)
3. Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne – “Down" (-)
4. Shakira – “She Wolf" (-)
5. Jessie James – “Wanted” (8)
6. Mariah Carey – “Obsessed” (6)
7. Miley Cyrus – “Party In the USA” (-)
8. Sean Kingston – “Fire Burning” (4)
9. Lady GaGa – “Paparazzi” (-)
10. Lady GaGa – “LoveGame” (5)

New Music Monday - 09.07.09 (4 of 4)

2009-09-07T18:00:00.003-04:00

Ryan Leslie

MUSIC
Mario featuring Ace Hood – “Thinkin’ About You” – [RnB Music Blog]

VIDEOS
All-4-One – “My Child” – [Blak Music First]

Carl Henry – “Dim the Lights” – [Blak Music First]

Fizz and Boog – “Bounce” – [Blak Music First]

Meleka – “Go” – [RnB Obsession]

Ryan Leslie – “You’re Not My Girl” – [RnBXmusic]

New Music Monday - 09.07.09 (3 of 4)

2009-09-07T12:00:00.003-04:00

Sean Kingston

VIDEOS
Erik Hassle – “Don’t Bring Flowers” – [PopDirt]

Esmée Denters – “Admit It” – [Smokin’ New Music]

f(x) – “Lachata” – [Pop+Nation]

La Toya Jackson – “Home” – [D-Listed]

Miranda Cosgrove – “Raining Sunshine” – [PopDirt]

Sean Kingston – “Face Drop” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Superchick – “Cross the Line” – [Pop+Nation]

New Music Monday - 09.07.09 (2 of 4)

2009-09-07T06:00:00.004-04:00

Robbie Williams

MUSIC
f(x) – “Mr. Boogey” – [Pop+Nation]

Robbie Williams – “Bodies” – [We Are Pop Slags]

VIDEOS
4Minute – “Muzik” – [Pop+Nation]

Days Difference – “Are You Happy?” – [PopDirt]

Markus Schulz – “Do You Dream” – [About.com]

Steve Aoki featuring Zuper Blahq – “I’m in the House” – [Get Hyped on This]

New Music Monday - 09.07.09 (1 of 4)

2009-09-07T00:01:00.001-04:00

Armin van Buuren

MUSIC
Armin van Buuren featuring Van Velzen – “Broken Tonight” – [New Trance Music]

Cold Blue – “Fever” – [New Trance Music]

Jonas Steur featuring Julie Thompson – “Cold Winds” (First State Remix) – [New Trance Music]

Whitney Houston – “Million-Dollar Bill” (Freemasons Remix) – [We Are Pop Slags]

VIDEOS
Annie – “Songs Remind Me of You” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Basement Jaxx featuring Sam Sparro – “Feelings Gone” – [Mixtape Maestro 2.0]

Empire of the Sun – “Without You” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

La Roux – “I’m Not Your Toy” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Playlist - R&B Mix September 2009

2009-09-05T17:00:00.002-04:00

Jade

Click here to view the playlist.

Throwback Thursday - Wilson Phillips

2009-09-04T13:00:00.002-04:00

What were you doing and who were you doing it with when this was a hit?

From 1990, here's Wilson Phillips with "Impulsive."

Sound Off - Jazmine Sullivan: Fearless

2009-09-02T09:00:00.002-04:00

The latest albums making noise

Imagine Mary J. Blige’s What’s the 411? with slicker production, equivalent passion, and raw emotion accented with bits of humor and the fantasy materializes into Jazmine Sullivan’s Fearless. Her freshman effort is an encompassing disc that traverses myriad R&B styles and themes, while engaging listeners with amusing wordplay.

Playing up these traits to the fullest is “Switch,” an upbeat, Motown-era-girl-group jam where Jazmine asks her date if she can “dine with your best friend.” Sullivan politely offers her girlfriend as a substitute on this double date that better resembles a game of musical chairs. “One Night Stand” continues the girl group playfulness as Sullivan croons about a one-night stand gone wrong (she caught feelings, breaking rule No. 1. But the bigger offense of the tryst may be ignoring her lover’s philandering ways on “Live a Lie.”).

On the serious tip, “Call Me Guilty” gets inside the mind of a victim of domestic violence. Committed to ending the struggle, the lyrics tell the story of a woman who will either die or end up in jail. A seemingly unfair trade-off, represented by the exchange with a police officer who yells, “You have the right to remain silent,” to which she responds, “No, I have the right to stay alive.”

Continuing in the tradition of destroying cars, à la Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats,” is “Bust Your Windows.” The scorned woman gets her revenge over a hand-clap-driven ditty and lines such as, “You’ll probably say that it was juvenile, but I think that I deserve to smile.” Equally emotional is “Lions, Tigers & Bears,” a symphonic questioning and rebuke of love. “Fear” lets the piano take the lead as Jazmine lists common excuses we make when it comes to facing thing we’re scared of before declaring, “You ain’t human without fear.”

Equally challenging, engaging and fun, Fearless is a dynamic debut album from rising star Jazmine Sullivan. Given all of those qualities, it’s hard to not be anxious for the follow-up.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List
1. “Bust Your Windows”
2. “Need U Bad” featuring Missy Elliott
3. “My Foolish Heart”
4. “Lions, Tigers & Bears”
5. “Call Me Guilty”
6. “One Night Stand”
7. “After the Hurricane”
8. “Dream Big”
9. “Live a Lie”
10. “Fear”
11. “In Love with Another Man”
12. “Switch”

That's My Jam Dance Chart - September 2009

2009-09-01T09:00:00.001-04:00

AnnaGrace

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. AnnaGrace – “Let the Feelings Go” (2)
2. Freemasons & Sophie Ellis-Bextor – “Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer” (7)
3. Madonna – “Celebration” (-)
4. David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over” (1)
5. Cascada – “Evacuate the Dancefloor” (6)
6. Sophia May – “Another Day” (-)
7. Kristine W. – “Be Alright” (-)
8. David Guetta featuring Akon – “Sexy B*tch” (10)
9. Lady GaGa – “LoveGame” (3)
10. Deadmau5 & Kaskade – “I Remember” (-)

New Music Monday - 08.31.09 (6 of 6)

2009-08-31T20:00:00.002-04:00

Razah

Corbin Bleu – “Moments That Matter” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Jaicko – “Oh Yeah” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Mary J. Blige featuring Drake – “The One” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Pauline – “Give Me a Call” – [RnBDirt]

Razah – “Higher” – [Blazing Swarm]

New Music Monday - 08.31.09 (5 of 6)

2009-08-31T16:00:00.003-04:00

MPHO

VIDEOS
Jessica Mauboy – “Up/Down” – [PopDirt]

Katelynne Cox – “Got a Feeling” – [PopDirt]

Marit Bergman – “Casey” – [PopDirt]

MPHO – “See Me Now” – [New York Post]

Selena Gomez and The Scene – “Falling Down” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Stereos – “Summer Girl” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - 08.31.09 (4 of 6)

2009-08-31T12:00:00.002-04:00

Alphabeat

MUSIC
Alphabeat – “The Spell” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Cassie – “Can You Feel Me” – [The Prophet Blog ]

JoJo – “Wrong Man for the Job” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Ke$ha – “Never Know About Love” – [We Are Pop Slags]

VIDEOS
@m8er – “Kill That B*tch” – [Blazing Swarm]

Cale Parks – “One At a Time” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - 08.31.09 (3 of 6)

2009-08-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

Sylver

VIDEOS
Lasgo – “Lost” – [Pop+Nation]

Moonvibes – “Perfect Together” – [PopDirt]

Ocean Drive – “Without You (Perdue Sans Toi)” – [PopDirt]

Radio Ink – “Wish U Were Here” – [PopDirt]

Simplu – “Puppets” – [PopDirt]

Sylver – “Foreign Affair” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - 08.31.09 (2 of 6)

2009-08-31T04:00:00.001-04:00

Felix da Housecat

VIDEOS
David Guetta featuring Akon – “Sexy B*tch” – [C.S. Perspective]

Deadmau5 featuring Rob Swire – “Ghosts N Stuff” – [VIBE4ME]

Example – “Watch the Sun Come Up” – [VIBE4ME]

GusGus – “Add This Song” – [PopDirt]

Felix da Housecat – “We All Wanna Be Prince” – [PopDirt]

Jay-J – “Body to Body” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - 08.31.09 (1 of 6)

2009-08-31T00:01:00.001-04:00

Danielle Bollinger

MUSIC
Chicane – “Hiding All the Stars” – [New Trance Music]

Martin Roth & Marc van Linden – “Kickback” – [New Trance Music]

VIDEOS
Antoine Clamaran – “Reach for the Stars” – [PopDirt]

Crazy Frog – “Safety Dance” – [PopDirt]

Dani Deahl featuring Whiskey Pete – “Poppin’ Bottles” – [About.com]

Danielle Bollinger – “The Place for My Heart” – [About.com]

Playlist - Pop Mix August 2009

2009-08-29T17:08:00.004-04:00

Ricky Martin

Click here to view the playlist.

Sound Off - Darude: Label This!

2009-08-26T09:00:00.003-04:00

The latest albums making noise

Darude is the guy behind the global club hit, “Sandstorm.” While the song is genius, it is, unfortunately, the closest many mainstream music listeners will ever get to familiarizing themselves with trance. This is sad because by limiting their exposure to dance and electronica, potential fans were likely deprived of the ear candy that was Darude’s sophomore disc, Rush.

Perhaps taking note of this, the mix master produced his third album with tracks that are simultaneously accessible, yet true enough to fill floors with trance devotees. The songs overlap instead of mix into one continuous track and are full of vocals. Individually, the songs do one of two things: embrace elements of the mash-up trend or utilize the best in rock vocal delivery, but each does so without sacrificing the best qualities of trance.

One of the former-style tracks is “I Ran (So Far Away).” The blazing, free-flowing guitar riffs provide plenty of energy for Blake Lewis, who perhaps would have won American Idol had he been allowed to do the kind of performance he gives on this track. He sounds at home on this trance groove, which is almost low on peaks and valleys, but engaging with its midsection hip-hop break.

“My Game” sounds like a foray into rock in its intro, but quickly embraces hollow synths coupled with a grimy rockstar vibe to create a lighter companion to the BodyRockers “I Like the Way You Move.”

Upon the first beat of the title track, listeners are transported back to the days of Darude’s worldwide smashes “Sandstorm” and “Feel the Beat.” Here, electro takes over as various genres of music are listed that may or may not apply to the song at hand, while the ever-present guitar shreds in the background.

“Good Grooves” features a robotic voice and cosmic sounds mixed with elements of funk on a cut more reminiscent of the sound from Rush. “Bad,” on the other hand, proudly declares a connection to Darude’s 2003 album with its distorted peaks and valleys, and a crescendo build that results in hollow, “lighter” trance that encourages dance floor attendance.

Though not as mainstream as After the Storm or as sonically intriguing as Rush, Label This! does provide a natural progression from the sound we’ve become familiar with from Darude. We just hope we don’t have to wait five more years for the next step in his evolution.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “My Game”
2. “Tell Me”
3. “I Ran (So Far Away)” with Blake Lewis
4. “Stars (Here With Me)” [Tech Mix]
5. “Good Grooves”
6. “In the Darkness” [Tech Mix]
7. “Bad”
8. “Label This!”
9. “Lost”
10. “For Those I Love”
11. “Dreams”
12. “In the Darkness” [Trance Mix]

That's My Jam Top 10 - August 2009

2009-08-25T09:00:00.002-04:00

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over” (5)
2. Maxwell – “Pretty Wings” (8)
3. Lady GaGa – “LoveGame” (2)
4. Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling” (-)
5. Mario featuring Gucci Mane & Sean Garrett – “Break Up” (-)
6. AnnaGrace – “Let the Feelings Go” (-)
7. Jordin Sparks – “Battlefield” (-)
8. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down” (1)
9. Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow” (4)
10. Beyoncé – “Ego” (10)

New Music Monday - 08.24.09 (7 of 7)

2009-08-24T23:59:00.004-04:00

Day26

MUSIC
Whitney Houston – “Salute” – [We Are Pop Slags]

VIDEOS
Anouk – “Three Days In a Row” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Casely featuring David Rush – “Burn It Up” – [Blak MusiC FirSt]

Day26 – “So Good” – [RnB Obsession]

Jamie Foxx featuring Kanye West, Drake & The-Dream – “Digital Girl” (Remix) – [Young, Black and Fabulous]

Marques Houston – “Date” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Mary J. Blige – “Stronger” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Mya featuring Bun B. – “Show Me Somethin’” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop ]

R. Kelly & Keri Hilson – “Number One” – [Young, Black and Fabulous]

New Music Monday - 08.24.09 (6 of 7)

2009-08-24T20:00:00.004-04:00

Brian McKnight

MUSIC
Adrienne Bailon – “Super Bad” – [Just-ENT]

Brian McKnight – “What I’ve Been Waiting For” – [The Prophet Blog]

Cassie – “I Need Love” – [Just-ENT]

Karina Pasian featuring Pen Up Girls – “Half Empty” – [The Prophet Blog]

Lloyd – “Pusha” – [Just-ENT]

Mario featuring Gucci Mane & Nikki Minaj – “Break Up” (Remix) – [Just-ENT]

Queen Latifah featuring Busta Rhymes, Shawn Stockman & Dre – “Hard To Love Ya” – [Just-ENT]

Trey Songz – “Obsessed (Loser)” – [Just-ENT]

New Music Monday - 08.24.09 (5 of 7)

2009-08-24T16:00:00.005-04:00

Kristinia DeBarge

VIDEOS
Imogen Heap – “First Train Home” – [New York Post]

Kristinia DeBarge – “Sabotage” – [New York Post]

Kate Early – “Melody” – [PopDirt]

Miike Snow – “Animal” – [PopDirt]

Newton Faulkner – “If This Is It” – [PopDirt]

Passion Pit – “To Kingdom Come” – [PopDirt]

Saturdays – “Forever is Over” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

New Music Monday - 08.24.09 (4 of 7)

2009-08-24T12:00:00.003-04:00

Demi Lovato

VIDEOS
3OH!3 – “Still Around” – [New Music and Videos]

BWO – “Rise To the Occasion” – [PopDirt]

Crazy Win – “Beautiful Lover” – [PopDirt]

Das Pop – “Never Get Enough” – [PopDirt]

Demi Lovato – “Gift of a Friend” – [Exclusive Beats]

Gin Wigmore – “Oh My” – [PopDirt]

Hinder – “Things for You” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Honor Society – “Where Are You Now” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - 08.24.09 (3 of 7)

2009-08-24T08:00:00.004-04:00

Kim Zolciak

MUSIC
Aubrey O’Day featuring Roscoe Umali – “Never Fallen” – [The Prophet Blog]

Kim Zolciak – “Tardy for the Party” – [Entertainment Weekly]

Pitbull – “Across the World” – [Just-ENT]

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – “Pen & Paper” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Shakira featuring Daddy Yankee – “She Wolf” (Remix) – [Just-ENT]

VIDEOS
Lesyah – “I Survived You” – [PopDirt]

LMFAO – “La La La” – [New Music and Videos]

Milk Inc. – “Blackout” – [PopDirt]

Zambri – “Easier” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - 08.24.09 (2 of 7)

2009-08-24T04:00:00.003-04:00

Fonzerelli

MUSIC
Tritonal featuring Cristina Soto – “Daybreak” – [New Trance Music]

Way Out West – “Only Love” – [About.com]

VIDEOS
Agent X featuring Mutya & Ultra – “Falling” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Amanda Blank – “Might Like You Better” – [New York Post]

Christian TV – “Drop Dead Gorgeous Jaimie” – [PopDirt]

Faber Drive – “G-Get Up and Dance” – [Exclusive Beats]

Fonzerelli – “Dreamin’ (Of a Hot Summer Night)” – [That’s My Jam]

Hadouken! – “M.A.D.” – [PopDirt]

Ian Carey – “S.O.S.” – [VIBE4ME]

Jes & Airscape – “My Love” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - 08.24.09 (1 of 7)

2009-08-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

Rafael Frost

MUSIC
David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland & Ne-Yo – “Choose” – [Bring Da Beat Back]

David Guetta featuring Kid Cudi – “Memories” – [The Prophet Blog]

Dennis de Laat – “Sound of Violence” (Dub Mix) – [VIBE4ME]

Eitan Reiter – “Ups and Downs” (Andrea Bertolini Remix) – [VIBE4ME]

Escala – “Children” (Jerome Isma-Ae Remix) – [VIBE4ME]

Lolene – “Sexy People” – [About.com]

Rafael Frost – “Boomerang” – [New Trance Music]

Robaco Bossa – “Black Bird (Defected)” – [VIBE4ME]

Shik Stylko – “Liquid Nights” – [VIBE4ME]

Tiësto featuring Tegan & Sara – “Feel It In My Bones” – [New Trance Music]

The Definitive Michael Jackson Tribute Roster

2009-08-23T12:00:00.003-04:00

It seems as though there is a new tribute to honor Michael Jackson being announced on a daily basis. Albums, concerts, television specials ― it’s all becoming a big much and, given the quality of some of them, seem to cheapen his legacy rather than honor it.

Jackson clearly influenced artists in various spectrums of popular music. His memorial in July has thus far been the best tribute, but if another is to happen ― a definitive, end-all, be-all tribute that we hope would be televised ― here is who we think should perform, present and appear. Some have collaborated, others competed, some copied and others encouraged … but we would love to see this massive roster pay final tribute to the King of Pop.

Andrae Crouch Choir
Aretha Franklin
Billy Ocean
The Boys
Brandy
Britney Spears
Brooke Shields
Celine Dion
Chaka Khan
Cher
Chris Brown
Chris Tucker
Ciara
Destiny’s Child/Beyoncé
Diana Ross
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Van Halen
Elizabeth Taylor
En Vogue
Ginuwine
Gloria Estefan
Guy/Teddy Riley
Heavy D
Iman
The Jacksons
Jamie Foxx
Janet Jackson
Jennifer Hudson
John Landis
John Mayer
John Singleton
Judith Hill
Kim Fields
Lionel Richie
Lisa Marie Presley
Liza Minnelli
Madonna
Magic Johnson
Mariah Carey
Maya Angelou
Michael Jordan
MC Hammer
Mya
Naomi Campbell
Ne-Yo
New Edition
NSYNC/Justin Timberlake (at Janet Jackson’s discretion)
The O’Jays
Oriantha
Patti LaBelle
Paul McCartney
Prince
Queen Latifah
Quincy Jones
R. Kelly
Rihanna
Rockwell
Shaheen Jafargholi
Shaquille O’Neal
Siedah Garrett
Slash
Smokey Robinson
Spike Lee
Stevie Wonder
Tevin Campbell
Tina Turner
Trey Lorenz
Usher
Whitney Houston
Will Smith

Who do you think should perform? And what Michael Jackson song should they sing?

Playlist - Dance Mix August 2009

2009-08-22T09:50:00.005-04:00

Paul van Dyk

Click here to view the playlist.

Throwback Thursday - Cartouche

2009-08-20T13:00:00.001-04:00

What were you doing and who were you doing it with when this was a hit?

From 1991, here's Cartouche with "Feel the Groove."

Throwback Thursday - History Lesson

2009-08-20T09:00:00.001-04:00

Karyn White

Aaliyah – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Karyn White – [dontstopthemusik]

Mista – [Rare and Obscure Music]

Rude Boys – [Rare and Obscure Music]

That's My Jam R&B Chart - August 2009

2009-08-18T09:00:00.002-04:00

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. Maxwell – “Pretty Wings” (3)
2. Mario featuring Gucci Mane & Sean Garrett – “Break Up” (6)
3. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down” (1)
4. Beyoncé – “Ego” (4)
5. Trey Songz – “I Need a Girl” (5)
6. Jeremih – “Birthday Sex” (2)
7. Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne – “Down" (-)
8. Ginuwine – “Last Chance” (8)
9. Jeremih – “Imma Star (Everywhere We Are)” (-)
10. Keyshia Cole & Monica – “Trust” (9)

New Music Monday - 08.17.09 (6 of 6)

2009-08-17T20:00:00.002-04:00

Mary J. Blige

MUSIC
Usher – “Be’” – [RnB Music Blog]

Usher – “Cruisin’” – [RnB Music Blog]

Von Sway – “U Mean the World to Me” and “Over, Said and Done” – [The Prophet Blog]

VIDEOS
Amanda Diva featuring Johnny Polygon – “Neon” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Ginuwine featuring Bun B. – “Trouble” – [Blak MusiC FirSt]

Mary J. Blige – “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” – [Bring Da Beat Back]

Paloma Faith – “New York” – [We Are Pop Slags]

V.V. Brown – “Game Over” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

New Music Monday - 08.17.09 (5 of 6)

2009-08-17T16:00:00.003-04:00

Trey Songz

MUSIC
Bobby Valentino – “Rewind” – [Just-ENT]

Chris Brown – “Changed Man” – [RnB Music Blog]

Chris Brown – “Don’t Know What It Is” – [RnB Music Blog]

Ester Dean featuring Chris Brown – “Drop It Low” – [The Prophet Blog]

Keri Hilson, Keyshia Cole & Teyanna Taylor – “Get Your Money Up” – [Just-ENT]

Mario – “Highway To Love” – [RnB Music Blog]

Mya featuring Z-Ro – “Boss!” – [The Prophet Blog]

R. Kelly – “It’s Orgasmic” – [Just-ENT]

Trey Songz featuring Fabolous & Teyanna Taylor – “I Need a Girl” (Remix) – [Just-ENT]

New Music Monday - 08.17.09 (4 of 6)

2009-08-17T12:00:00.004-04:00

Pitbull

MUSIC
Beyoncé – “Slow Love” – [RnB Music Blog]

Pitbull featuring Ke$ha – “Girls” – [Just-ENT]

VIDEOS
Nelly featuring Pharrell – “Let It Go” – [New Music and Videos]

Paramore – “Ignorance” – [Just-ENT]

Pete Doherty – “Broken Love Song” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Peter Andre – “Behind Closed Doors” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Push Play – “Midnight Romeo” – [PopDirt]

Reead – “Baby” – [PopDirt]

The Veronicas – “4Ever” – [Bring Da Beat Back]

New Music Monday - 08.17.09 (3 of 6)

2009-08-17T08:00:00.004-04:00

Disney's Friends for Change

VIDEOS
BENI featuring Tynisha Keli – “The Boy Is Mine” – [Pop Nation]

Dash & Will – “Painful” – [PopDirt]

Disney’s Friends for Change – “Send It On” – [New Music and Videos]

Domino – “Don’t Stop Da Music” – [Pop Nation]

Jack Peñate – “Pull My Heart Away” – [PopDirt]

Keana Texeira – “Daredevil” – [PopDirt]

Krista – “Temporary Insanity” – [Pop Nation]

Lights – “Savior” – [Exclusive Beats]

Lost Valentinos – “Thief” – [PopDirt]

MPHO – “Box N Locks” (Remix) – [Mixtape Maestro 2.0]

New Music Monday - 08.17.09 (2 of 6)

2009-08-17T04:00:00.004-04:00

The Prodigy

MUSIC
JoJo – “Forever In My Life” – [The Prophet Blog ]

Natalie Imbruglia – “Want” – [We Are Pop Slags]

VIDEOS
And Then There Were None – “Mama Filipina” – [PopDirt]

APL.De.Ap – “Reinventing Robert Cohn” – [New Music and Videos]

Amanda Morra – “1 and Only” – [PopDirt]

Ash Koley – “Sheep In Wolves Clothing” – [PopDirt]

Baek Ji Young featuring Taekyeon – “My Ears Candy” – [Pop Nation]

September – “Until I Die” – [About.com]

Sound of Arrows – “Into the Clouds” – [Stockholm Beat Connection]

The Prodigy – “Take Me to the Hospital” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

New Music Monday - 08.17.09 (1 of 6)

2009-08-17T00:01:00.003-04:00

Sugarbabes

MUSIC
David Guetta featuring Estelle – “One Love” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Sugarbabes – “Get Sexy” (Hadouken! Remix) – [We Are Pop Slags]

VIDEOS
Basshunter – “Every Morning” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Cascada – “Dangerous” – [Exclusive Beats]

Cicada – “Psycho Thrills” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Crystal – “Initiative” – [Stockholm Beat Connection]

Don Diablo vs. Example – “Hooligans” – [About.com]

Fader Paper Figures – “Metropolis” – [PopDirt]

Hanway Troof – “The Gods Are Crazy” – [PopDirt]

Just Jack – “The Day I Died” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Playlist - That's My Jam Mix August 2009

2009-08-14T19:46:00.003-04:00

Click here to view the playlist.

Throwback Thursday - Tyler Collins

2009-08-13T13:00:00.001-04:00

What were you doing and who were you doing it with when this was a hit?

From 1989, here's Tyler Collins with "Whatcha Gonna Do."

That's My Jam Pop Chart - August 2009

2009-08-11T09:00:00.002-04:00

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling” (4)
2. Jordin Sparks – “Battlefield” (10)
3. Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow” (1)
4. Sean Kingston – “Fire Burning” (7)
5. Lady GaGa – “LoveGame” (2)
6. Mariah Carey – “Obsessed” (9)
7. Katy Perry – “Waking Up in Vegas” (3)
8. Jessie James – “Wanted” (-)
9. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down” (5)
10. Kristinia DeBarge – “Goodbye” (8)

New Music Monday

2009-08-10T23:59:00.001-04:00

Asteroids Galaxy Tour – “The Golden Age” – [PopDirt]

Hungry Kids of Hungary – “Old Money” – [PopDirt]

Jenny Wilson – “Fading Like a Rainbow” – [PopDirt]

Juan MacLean – “Happy House” – [PopDirt]

Marques Houston – “Body” – [Bring Da Beat Back]

Melodics – “Cash.Sex.Cool” – [PopDirt]

Publika – “Perfect Day” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - New R&B Songs

2009-08-10T20:00:00.002-04:00

Akon featuring BoA – “Beautiful” – [Just-ENT]

Amerie – “Heard ’em All” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Bobby Valentino – “Love U Baby” – [Just-ENT]

Chrishan featuring T.I. – “U Had It All” – [Just-ENT]

Johnta Austin – “10 Love Commandments” – [Just-ENT]

Mario featuring Hurricane Chris – “Headboard” – [Just-ENT]

Ne-Yo – “I Don't Care” – [Just-ENT]

Queen Latifah featuring Mary J. Blige – “People” – [Just-ENT]

R. Kelly & Keri Hilson – “Number One” – [J. Mensah’s Billboard Files]

RichGirl – “Uncharted Waters” – [The Prophet Blog]

Ryan Leslie – “Ice Cold” – [Just-ENT]

Shanell featuring Aubrey O’Day – “Party All the Time” – [D-Listed]

Shanell featuring Lil Wayne – “Play In My Band” – [The Prophet Blog]

Whitney Houston – “Million Dollar Bill” – [Bring Da Beat Back]

New Music Monday - New Pop Videos

2009-08-10T16:00:00.004-04:00

Brendan Velasquez – "Anxious" – [PopDirt]

Joker's Daughter – "Lucid" – [PopDirt]

Kate Miller-Heidke – "The Last Day on Earth" – [PopDirt]

Krista Polvere – “Would I Want You” – [PopDirt]

Mika – “We Are Golden” – [PopDirt]

Natalie Imbruglia – “Wild About It” – [Pop Nation]

Nikki 16 – “Come and Get Me” – [The Prophet Blog]

Parachute – “Mess I Made” – [Exclusive Beats]

Summer Cats – “Super” – [PopDirt]

When Saints Go Machine – "Fail Forever" – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - New Dance Songs

2009-08-10T12:00:00.001-04:00

Jay Cox presents Bex Thurston – “Read the Signs” – [VIBE4ME]

Lazy Jay – “Float My Boat” (Moguai Remix) – [VIBE4ME]

Max Vangeli – “Fender Bender” – [VIBE4ME]

Paul Harris featuring Sam Obernik – “The Take” – [VIBE4ME]

Round Table Nights – “BellyDance” – [Stockholm Beat Connection]

Simian Mobile Disco featuring Beth Ditto – “Cruel Intentions” – [Mixtape Maestro 2.0]

Tune Brothers featuring Tesz Milan – “Finally 2009” – [VIBE4ME]

Vincent Thomas – "Feeling For You" – [VIBE4ME]

New Music Monday - New R&B Videos

2009-08-10T08:00:00.002-04:00

Courtney John – “Lucky Man” – [Mixtape Maestro 2.0]

Goapele – “Milk and Honey” – [BlakMusiCFirSt]

Jade Ewen – “My Man” – [The Prophet Blog]

Marques Houston – “Sunset” – [Bring Da Beat Back]

Maxwell – “Bad Habits” – [Blak MusiC FirSt]

Taio Cruz – “Break Your Heart” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - New Pop Videos

2009-08-10T04:00:00.006-04:00

A Fine Frenzy – "Blow Away" – [Smokin' New Music]

Ash Koley – "Trampoline" – [PopDirt]

Bat For Lashes – “Sleep Alone” – [New York Post]

Billy Crawford – “Human Nature” – [New Music and Videos]

Daniel Merriweather – "Impossible" – [Smokin' New Music]

Dragonette – "Gone Too Far" – [We Are Pop Slags]

Fefe Dobson – “I Want You” and “I Want You 2 Watch Me Move” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Florence + The Machine – “Drumming Song” – [We Are Pop Slags]

Ghostlight – “Breathing Underwater” – [PopDirt]

Lenka – "Trouble Is a Friend" – [Pop Nation]

Kelly Clarkson – “Already Gone” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - New Dance Videos

2009-08-10T00:01:00.003-04:00

VIDEOS
Alin Nica – “By My Side” – [PopDirt]

Bag Raiders – “Shooting Stars” – [PopDirt]

Chelley – “I Took the Night” – [About.com]

Cicada – “Metropolis” – [PopDirt]

Copyright featuring Shovell – “Warrior Dance (Yema Ya)” – [VIBE4ME]

Mayda – “Focus” – [PopDirt]

MUSIC
Baggi Begovic & Groovenatics – “Frozen” and “Journey” – [VIBE4ME]

Boyz Noize – “Jeffer” – [Stockholm Beat Connection]

David Guetta featuring will.i.am – “I Wanna Go Crazy” – [The Prophet Blog]

Deadmau5 – “Orca” and “Full Bloom” – [VIBE4ME]

Frankmusik – “Your Boy,” “Better Off As” and “Made Her Smile” – [C.S. Perspective]

Tiësto & Sneaky Sound System – “I Will Be Here” – [PopDirt]

Why Michael Jackson Matters and Will Be Missed By That's My Jam

2009-08-09T17:59:00.003-04:00

Michael Jackson is dead. Those are words that still evoke confusion and an intense disbelief, even though it has been nearly two months since he passed. It’s our hope that writing about it will finally provide some clarity and acceptance ― as well as an eloquent reflection on the importance of the King of Pop ― for That’s My Jam’s readers.

It’s one of those days that will forever be etched in our memories. It started with a simple text from a good friend that Michael had had a heart attack. Within minutes, we were on TMZ.com, of all sites, which had only moments before been the first agency to declare that the singer had died. It was difficult to concentrate over the next few hours as we followed Twitter and watched TV for more confirmation. Hours later, it came pouring in from news outlets such as CNN, the Los Angeles Times and ABC News.

Powerful Web sites such as Google and Twitter experienced problems because of the amount of traffic coming from people looking for information on what had happened and what was to come.

When communication online failed, we found ourselves calling loved ones in disbelief of the news we had received. It was somehow comforting to speak with others who were equally distraught, even though this was not a person that most of us had ever met or even seen in person. In this moment, just like many others, Michael Jackson brought us together. Friends, families, communities … all reflecting on memories that he had given us. Jackson has famously spoken of how he didn’t have the type of childhood that many of us take for granted, but in him we had our growing-up experiences enhanced with his fashion-forward threads, innovative sounds and eye-catching visuals.

He’s also a major “entry point,” if you will, to the music we celebrate here at That’s My Jam. In 1979, the infamous “Death to Disco Night” encouraged hundreds, possibly thousands of Chicago White Sox fans to storm the field and destroy disco records. Many of the genre’s performers were black, gay, female or any combination of the three, though the stampeding audience barely reflected these demographics. With the event giving “permission,” several DJs and radio stations across the United States joined in the backlash and pulled disco and R&B from their playlists. Disco/dance was nearly indistinguishable from R&B, specifically funk, as evidenced by the Billboard charts at the time, and many a good record weren’t considered for airplay in the near future based on this connection. (It should be noted that Billboard has also had various charts for “black” music, some dating as recent as 1990 and always compiled of R&B in whatever its current incarnation happened to be.)

This led to many more rock acts dominating the charts. When MTV launched nearly two years later on August 1, 1981, it took on the format that top 40 stations across the country were playing: guitar-infused album rock, most often performed by white men. This was especially palatable given that the network’s early audience was in rural areas, where cable was necessary to get local channels (and also the impetus for the “I Want My MTV” campaign, as the channel naturally wanted to be in more homes).

Though MTV’s roster wasn’t exclusively white men, the black artists who did get airtime, such as Tina Turner and Eddy Grant, produced music that fit into the album-oriented rock structure that the network had styled. Black artists who didn’t conform to it simply didn’t get played.

In the time between MTV’s debut and 1983, Rick James’ 1981 album Street Songs saw neither of the videos for the popular “Give It to Me Baby” or “Super Freak” played on the channel. James vocalized his anger and accused the network of “blatant racism.” This led David Bowie to question VJ Mark Goodman during an interview about why the network didn’t play black artists, which left the VJ ― who clearly wasn’t in programming department ― speechless. Nightline even had a segment about the subject and BET provided an outlet for black artists by introducing the long-running program, Video Soul. (To this day, some former MTV representatives claim that there weren’t any quality, or the quantity of, black videos in existence at the time to air, though Video Soul seemed to have no problem filling that daypart.)

All of this set the stage for Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Along with its high-production qualities and rumors ― which still persist today ― that some record labels threatened to pull their music videos from MTV if it didn’t show black artists, the video entered rotation and became a massive hit. As was “Beat It,” which followed and, finally, the title track from the Thriller album. Jackson’s belief in video as an art form raised the bar for the genre, but also sparked an interest in other black artists (Prince and Billy Ocean were soon added to MTV’s rotation). This style of music, growing in popularity, also found a home back on the radio in the rhythmic top 40 category, a format that embraced the likes of Madonna, Shannon, the aforementioned artists and, of course, Michael Jackson.

This paved the way for freestyle, hip-hop and new jack swing movements, and the resurgence of R&B that took place in the mid ’80s to early ’90s, which in turn evolved music (for better or worse) into the current landscape, in which black artists are much more prevalent on video outlets. Perhaps it wasn’t Jackson who put the video for “Billie Jean” into the VCR for broadcast, but someone had to provide the spark to ignite the recognition and revolution of video-era-to-present black music and rhythmic styles, and we’ve yet to see anyone else make quite this impact that his sales numbers made on the industry.

This format is the seed that branched off into the dance, pop and R&B we focus on at That’s My Jam, and his was the music that influenced so many of the musicians and performers that create it today. He made us demand more from their music; he made us demand more from their videos; and he made us demand more from their performances.

So many artists wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for Michael Jackson because his international superstardom and all-around good music pushed through barriers to inspire young people to hone their talent to try and compete on his level. While few will be able to duplicate what he’s done, many have carved their own niche and are quick to acknowledge him as one of their key influences.

The scars on his career ― thanks to a colorful lifestyle and an eager press ― will likely taint his legacy for some time, but those are situations of which we are not privy to certain information, or at this point have the power to change or judge. The scars may fade one day, and historians, fans and critics will only remember and respect his music. We know that we are saddened by his loss because we will no longer hear new material from him, nor get another chance to see him do what he did best. But we at That’s My Jam grieve most for his friends, family and especially his children, for though we lost someone who gave so much to us in the form of music and memories, they have lost a friend, a brother, a son and a father.

Our prayers and well wishes go out to those friends and family, and we hope for a swift handling of the estate and other affairs that were left behind or have arisen since his death. We also say thank you for sharing Michael with us, because his music touched each of us individually. And to Michael, we say thank you for speaking to each of us with your music, for inspiring us with your dancing and for encouraging us to demand more of ourselves. May you rest in peace.

Showstoppers: Beyoncé - "Scared of Lonely"

2009-08-09T12:00:00.004-04:00

This is one of our favorite songs from Beyoncé's I Am ... Sasha Fierce album. See how she handles it live.

Playlist - R&B Mix August 2009

2009-08-08T22:15:00.003-04:00

Click here to view the playlist.

Throwback Thursday - Dino

2009-08-06T13:00:00.004-04:00

What were you doing and who were you doing it with when this was a hit?

Peaking at No. 7 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1989, here's Dino with "I Like It."

Throwback Thursday - History Lesson

2009-08-06T09:00:00.001-04:00

Damian Dame – [dontstopthemusik]

Denine – [Rare and Obscure Music]

Ex-Girlfriend – [dontstopthemusik]

Fascination – [ Rare and Obscure Music]

Genuine Parts – [Rare and Obscure Music]

H-Town – [Rare and Obscure Music]

Jomanda – [Rare and Obscure Music]

Salt-N-Pepa – [The Prophet Blog ]

Simple Pleasure – [Rare and Obscure Music]

SWV – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

That's My Jam Dance Chart - August 2009

2009-08-04T09:00:00.006-04:00

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over” (1)
2. AnnaGrace – “Let the Feelings Go” (4)
3. Lady GaGa – “LoveGame” (2)
4. Pussycat Dolls – “Hush Hush” (-)
5. Alex Guadino & Jason Rooney – “I Love Rock 'n' Roll” (9)
6. Cascada – “Evacuate the Dancefloor” (-)
7. Freemasons & Sophie Ellis-Bextor – “Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer” (10)
8. Erika Jayne – “Give You Everything” (-)
9. Guru Josh Project – “Infinity 2008” (3)
10. David Guetta featuring Akon – “Sexy B*tch” (-)

New Music Monday - New R&B Songs

2009-08-03T20:00:00.003-04:00

Karl Wolf – “Love” – [That’s My Jam]

LeToya – “Lazy” – [RnB Music Blog]

Lylah - "Ne T'arrête Pas" - [BlakMusiCFirSt]

Ne-Yo – “Stormy Sundays” – [RnB Music Blog]

RichGirl – “Lucky You Are,” “Millionaire” and “Get Ya Swagga Right,” – [The Prophet Blog]

Teairra Marí featuring Kanye West and Mase – “Diamonds” – [Bossip]

New Music Monday - New Pop Videos

2009-08-03T16:00:00.002-04:00

Kaya Jones – “Hollywood Doll” – [PopDirt ]

Miss Montreal – “This Is My Life” – [Pop Nation]

No Angels – “One Life” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Paolo Nutini – “Coming Up Easy” – [PopDirt]

Pixie Lott – “Boys and Girls” – [PopDirt]

Ricki-Lee Coulter – “Don’t Miss You” – [PopDirt]

Ronit – “Heavy” – [PopDirt]

Shakira – “Loba” (Spanish Version of “She Wolf”– [Smokin’ New Music]

Shakira – “She Wolf” – [PopDirt]

Sugarbabes – “Get Sexy” – [New York Post]

Tania Christopher – “Double Dare” – [Pop Nation]

New Music Monday - New Dance Songs

2009-08-03T12:00:00.007-04:00

Chicane – “Poppiholla” – [Best of House]

Dennis De Laat – “Sound of Violence” – [VIBE4ME]

DJ Spen featuring Souldynamic – “Summershine (Code Red)” – [VIBE4ME]

EDX – “Rubin” (DBN Remix) – [VIBE4ME]

Funkerman featuring Rich Crown – “Slide” (Moguai Remix) – [VIBE4ME]

Gel Abril – “Spells of Yoruba” – [VIBE4ME]

Hook N Sling & Adam K – “Working Kings Cross” – [VIBE4ME]

Julie Thompson – “It Only Hurts” – [VIBE4ME]

Kaskade – “Angel on My Shoulder” (EDX Remix) – [New Trance Music]

Medina – “You and I” (Deadmau5 Remix) – [VIBE4ME]

Pryda – “Waves” – [VIBE4ME]

Robbie Rivera – “Closer to the Sun” (Inpetto Vocal Mix) – [VIBE4ME]

Sour Grapes – “Stay for Now” – [VIBE4ME]

Tiësto and Sneaky Sound System – “I Will Be There” – [About.com]

New Music Monday - New R&B Videos

2009-08-03T08:00:00.003-04:00

Cherri V – “Til the Sun Comes Up” – [Mixtape Maestro 2.0]

Colby O’Donis – “I Wanna Touch You” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Florence Rawlings – “Hard to Get” – [RnBDirt ]

India.Arie featuring Gramps Morgan – “Therapy” – [That's My Jam]

Jeremih – “Imma Star” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Kris Lawrence – “Careless Whisper” – [RnBDirt]

Mary J. Blige featuring Chris Brown – “Stronger” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Ray Mann Three – “Opa Opa” – [RnBDirt]

New Music Monday - New Pop Videos

2009-08-03T04:00:00.003-04:00

A Camp – “Love Has Left the Room” – [PopDirt]

Ash Koley – “Don’t Let Your Feet Touch Ground” – [PopDirt]

Ayumi Hamasaiki – “Sunrise” – [Pop Nation]

Bananarama – “Love Comes” – [PopDirt]

Britney Spears – “Kill the Lights” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Carly Patterson – “Time to Wake Up” – [PopDirt]

Delphic – “This Moment” – [PopDirt]

Elize – “I Can Be a Bitch” – [Pop Nation]

Eva Simons – “Silly Boy” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Friendly Fires – “Kiss of Life” – [PopDirt]

Jona Ardyn – “Anything Goes” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - New Dance Videos

2009-08-03T00:01:00.006-04:00

DeepCentral – “Russian Girl” – [PopDirt ]

Deepside Deejays – “Hold You” – [PopDirt ]

Julie Nash – “Swirl Me Around” – [PopDirt ]

KCB & Millwood – “Come As You Are” – [PopDirt ]

Kyla – “Daydreaming” – [Hip-Hop, Pop and RnB Stop]

Laurent Wolf – “Walk the Line” – [PopDirt ]

Little Boots – “Remedy” – [PopDirt ]

Mike Snow – “Animal” – [Stockholm Beat Connection]

N.A.S.A. – “WHACHADOIN” – [Get Hyped on This]

Patrick Hagenaar featuring Jon Junior – “We Feel the Same” – [VIBE4ME ]

Sandy Rivera featuring Rae – “Persuasion” – [VIBE4ME]

That's My Jam Top 10 - July 2009

2009-07-28T09:00:00.002-04:00

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down” (5)
2. Lady GaGa – “LoveGame” (6)
3. Jeremih – “Birthday Sex” (7)
4. Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow” (1)
5. David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over” (9)
6. Katy Perry – “Waking Up in Vegas” (-)
7. Pitbull – “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” (2)
8. Maxwell – “Pretty Wings” (-)
9. Guru Josh Project – “Infinity 2008” (-)
10. Beyoncé – “Ego” (-)

New Music Monday - New R&B Songs

2009-07-27T20:00:00.002-04:00

Amerie – “Why R U” (Remix) – [RnB Music Blog]

Dru Hill – “Indrupendence Day,” "Sold Out Love," "Rain" and "Rule the World" – [RnB Music Blog]

Keri Hilson – “The Ring” – [RnB Music Blog]

Monica featuring Missy Elliott – “Lemme Know” – [RnB Music Blog]

Ne-Yo – “Your Girl is a Hoe” – [RnB Music Blog]

Teedra Moses – “Everybody Rock” – [RnB Music Blog]

New Music Monday - New Pop Videos

2009-07-27T16:00:00.004-04:00

Jimmy Demers – “Nothing Hurts Like Love” – [PopDirt]

Lisa Mitchell – “Coin Laundry” – [PopDirt]

Julian Perretta – “Wonder Why” – [PopDirt]

Mariah Carey featuring Gucci Mane – “Obsessed” (Remix) – [Smokin’ New Music]

Miles Fisher – “This Must Be the Place” – [PopDirt]

Nicola – “My Love” – [PopDirt]

Oh No Ono – “Helplessly Young” – [PopDirt]

Proclaimers – “Love Can Move Mountains” – [PopDirt]

Samantha Jade – “Secret” – [PopDirt]

Sarah Blasko – “We Won’t Run” – [PopDirt]

Steve Appleton – “City Won’t Sleep” – [PopDirt]

Tata Young – “Ready for Love” – [Smokin’ New Music]

New Music Monday - New Dance Songs

2009-07-27T12:00:00.005-04:00

Calvin Harris – “Ready for the Weekend” (Dave Spoon Broken Remix) – [VIBE4ME]

Dirty South & Sebastian Ingrosso – “Meich” (Original Mix) – [VIBE4ME]

Dirty Vegas – “Tonight” (Above & Beyond Remix) – [VIBE4ME]

Erick Morillo featuring Deborah Cooper – “I Get Lifted” (Michael Gray and Danism Remix) – [VIBE4ME]

Example – “Watch the Sun Come Up” – [VIBE4ME]

Haji & Emmanuel – “Take Me Away” (Out of Office Remix – [VIBE4ME]

Mic Newman – “The Aries” – [VIBE4ME]

Panevino – “Don’t Go” (Main Vocal Mix) – [VIBE4ME]

Relation – “Your Tiny Mind” (Remixes) – [VIBE4ME]

Sharam featuring Kid Cudi – “She Came Along” – [VIBE4ME]

Yass featuring LT Brown – “No Lies” – [VIBE4ME]

New Music Monday - New R&B Videos

2009-07-27T08:00:00.005-04:00

RichGirl – “He Ain’t Wit Me Now (Tho)” – [RnBDirt]

Vitoso Bosses featuring Soulja Boy Tell 'Em – “Delirious” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - New Pop Songs/Videos

2009-07-27T04:00:00.003-04:00

MUSIC
Backstreet Boys – “Straight Through My Heart” – [Pop Music Scene]

VIDEOS
Alex Roots – “Don’t Stop Looking” – [PopDirt]

AM – “Grand Opinion” – [PopDirt]

BoA – “Energetic” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Brooke White – “Radio Radio” – [PopDirt]

Colbie Caillat – “Fallin’ For You” – [PopDirt]

Dala – “Levi Blues” – [PopDirt]

David Archuleta – “Touch My Hand” – [PopDirt]

Dolly Rockers – “Gold Digger” – [PopDirt]

The Fray – “Heartless” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Guy Sebastian – “Like It Like That” – [PopDirt]

Jadyn Maria – “Good Girls Like Bad Boys” – [PopDirt]

New Music Monday - New Dance Videos

2009-07-27T00:01:00.002-04:00

autoKratz – “Always More” – [PopDirt]

Booty Luv – “Say It” – [Smokin’ New Music]

Calvin Harris – “Ready for the Weekend” – [Mixtape Maestro 2.0]

Datarock – “True Stories” – [PopDirt]

Kate Ryan – “Babacar” – [PopDirt]

Kiki Twins – “Geometry in Motion” – [PopDirt]

Mini Viva – “Left My Heart in Tokyo” – [PopDirt]

MSTRKRFT featuring John Legend – “Heartbreaker” – [RnBDirt]

Pink Room – “Roses on Fire” – [PopDirt]

Space Invadas – “Original” – [RnBDirt]

That's My Jam R&B Chart - July 2009

2009-07-21T09:00:00.002-04:00

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down” (2)
2. Jeremih – “Birthday Sex” (1)
3. Maxwell – “Pretty Wings” (5)
4. Beyoncé – “Ego” (9)
5. Trey Songz – “I Need a Girl” (7)
6. Mario featuring Gucci Mane & Sean Garrett – “Break Up” (-)
7. Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain – “Blame It” (3)
8. Ginuwine – “Last Chance” (-)
9. Keyshia Cole & Monica – “Trust” (-)
10. K'Jon – “On the Ocean” (8)

That's My Jam Pop Chart - July 2009

2009-07-14T09:00:00.002-04:00

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow” (1)
2. Lady GaGa – “LoveGame” (4)
3. Katy Perry – “Waking Up in Vegas” (9)
4. Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling” (-)
5. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down” (10)
6. Pink – “Please Don't Leave Me” (-)
7. Sean Kingston – “Fire Burning” (-)
8. Kristinia DeBarge – “Goodbye” (-)
9. Mariah Carey – “Obsessed” (-)
10. Jordin Sparks – “Battlefield” (-)

That's My Jam Dance Chart - July 2009

2009-07-07T06:32:00.007-04:00

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over” (2)
2. Lady GaGa – “LoveGame” (7)
3. Guru Josh Project – “Infinity 2008” (5)
4. AnnaGrace – “Let the Feelings Go” (-)
5. Lady GaGa – “Poker Face” (1)
6. Kaci Battaglia – “Crazy Possessive” (-)
7. U2 – “Magnificent” (-)
8. Lady GaGa – “Just Dance” (3)
9. Alex Guadino & Jason Rooney – “I Love Rock 'n' Roll” (-)
10. Freemasons & Sophie Ellis-Bextor – “Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer” (-)

Playlist - R&B Mix July 2009

2009-07-04T19:25:00.002-04:00

Click here to view the playlist.

Reflections on Michael Jackson

2009-06-28T20:44:00.008-04:00

There are so many memories of Michael as a fan ... the movie Ben, Jackson 5, Thriller jacket, glove, MJ buttons, fights at school that he was the best! You know everyone did the moonwalk at the street corner and anywhere! I'll never forget the two best music videos ever: “Billie Jean” and “Thriller.” Also, “We Are The World!” We did a music recital based on this song. I owe a part of my childhood to Michael ― he was a bright spot in a dark childhood.
~ Cindy, Phoenix

I remember one of the first videos I ever saw was “Billie Jean.” Even though the meaning of the song escaped me at the time, watching MJ dance across that light-up sidewalk was enthralling. Say what you will about the King of Pop, but he could dance like no other ever has or ever will.
~ Alex, Miami

My history with Michael Jackson goes back to the early days of the Jackson 5. I remember my youngest sister’s screams every time anything involving them came on TV or the radio. I remember being envious of their afros, I could never grow a fro that big because my father wouldn’t allow it when I was really young and even when he loosened up a bit (right about the time when big fros were on the way out), I realized my tight, kinky hair just wouldn’t do it. Even though I liked a lot of the early Jackson 5 songs I don’t think I really appreciated his talent until around 1980. He had made solo albums by then, but it was listening to The Jacksons Live album that I truly started to realize how talented that man was. That’s still one of my favorite albums (that intro to “Can You Feel It” is classic). And, of course, there was Thriller. I was a freshman in college when that album came out and though I never bought a copy (I think I’ll do that today), I know every song on it. You couldn’t get away from it. The first time I ever went to a club I had the unfortunate luck to be dancing in front of the speakers when the DJ mixed “Thriller” into the mix. That horn blast at the beginning of that song still kind of makes my head throb. My roommate sophomore year did a remarkably comical interpretation of the “Billie Jean” video one night while we were walking to the store. That album, Prince’s 1999 (can’t tell you how many “who’s cooler, Prince or Michael” arguments I had) and oddly enough, Eddie Murphy’s comedy album, Delirious, were the soundtrack to that first year of college. He had a lot of great songs after Thriller, but I think he (and a lot of fans) had a hard time believing that was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of album. But I guess if you don’t strive to create something great, you’ll never do it. I’ve always wondered what he might have gone on to do if he hadn’t gotten weird.
~ Weldon, Phoenix

There are simply no words to describe how deeply saddened I am regarding Michael Jackson's sudden death. His music touched millions of individuals all over the world. Michael was a unique talent and human being and his legacy will definitely carry on forever. He was truly the greatest. May he rest in peace and God bless his family, friends and everyone who loved him.
~ Frank, New York

Playlist - Pop Mix June 2009

2009-06-27T23:43:00.002-04:00

Click here to view the playlist.

That's My Jam Top 10 - June 2009

2009-06-23T09:00:00.004-04:00

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow” (4)
2. Pitbull – “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” (6)
3. Beyoncé – “Halo” (1)
4. Lady GaGa – “Poker Face” (2)
5. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down” (9)
6. Lady GaGa – “LoveGame” (-)
7. Jeremih – “Birthday Sex” (-)
8. Kid Cudi – “Day ’N‘ Nite” (7)
9. David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over” (-)
10. Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain – “Blame It” (5)

*Charts are based on a predetermined set of listings that rank songs by airplay, streams, sales, requests and/or audience reaction. Information for this chart was accessed on Friday, June 19, 2009. Click here for more information on That’s My Jam's Charts.

Playlist - Dance Mix June 2009

2009-06-20T06:55:00.003-04:00

Click here to view the playlist.

That's My Jam R&B Chart - June 2009

2009-06-16T09:00:00.003-04:00

Click song titles to see videos or hear audio. Click here to view this chart’s video playlist.

1. Jeremih – “Birthday Sex” (2)
2. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down” (3)
3. Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain – “Blame It” (1)
4. Pleasure P – “Boyfriend #2” (5)
5. Maxwell – “Pretty Wings” (-)
6. Beyoncé – “Halo” (4)
7. Trey Songz – “I Need a Girl” (-)
8. K'Jon – “On the Ocean” (-)
9. Beyoncé – “Ego” (-)
10. Musiq Soulchild – “sobeautiful” (-)

*Charts are based on a predetermined set of listings that rank songs by airplay, streams, sales, requests and/or audience reaction. Information for this chart was accessed on Friday, June 12, 2009. Click here for more information on That’s My Jam's Charts.

Playlist - That's My Jam Mix June 2009

2009-06-13T00:49:00.002-04:00

Click here to view the playlist.

Sound Off - Robin Thicke: Something Else

2009-06-10T09:00:00.003-04:00

The latest albums making noise

A few traits define Robin Thicke’s brand of blue-eyed soul. Listeners will find themselves transported to the breezy tropics with his melodies, be romanticized in every possible way with his lyrics and will be soothed by the upper range of his voice, which is prevalent on the songs compiled for his third disc, Something Else.

Thicke effortlessly accomplishes all three on the set’s opener, “You’re My Baby.” Here, his voice is appropriately delicate as he assures his lover he’ll scare away the “monsters in the closet” and provide her the security of a “blankie.”

More lyrically aggressive and forcefully delivered is “Sidestep,” which manages to both plea and command with the recurring “c’mon nows” delivered throughout his trademark “ooh-hoos.”

Continuing where S.O.S. Band’s “Take Your Time (Do It Right)” leaves off, “Something Else” is funk on the verge of disco with guitar riffs that would do the former proud. Depending on the interpretation, “something else” can be sexual in nature or a simple longing for a change of pace and scenery, but both achieve a happy ending on this jam.

Duality is present on another offering on Something Else, specifically “Shadow of Doubt.” Though full of “do-do-dos” and lines like “I wanna dance like I’m James Brown,” one can’t help but wonder if Thicke is speaking about his place as one of R&B’s few prominent white performers, and the internal and external struggles he’s faced because of it. (Remember that VIBE controversy from last year, when Thicke claimed that he was denied the cover because of his race? That month’s issue instead featured another controversy: a naked Ciara.)

Thicke is more overt on “Dreamworld,” a moody combination of piano and a lone drumbeat whose lines list the characteristics of his utopia. Especially important among them are things such as respect for his wife, actress Paula Patton, who is black, and the couple's freedom to “walk in Mississippi” without staring eyes. The fading end of the song again commands listeners and attempts to convince them to “dream on, let’s dream.”

Though upbeat in sections, Something Else is mostly mellow slow jams. It’s relaxing, at times thought provoking, but engaging and entertaining. Tracks such as “Magic” and “The Sweetest Love” have had their fair share of radio play, and rightfully so, and the only questionable inclusion on the album is Thicke’s duet with Lil Wayne, “Tie My Hands.” Something Else is the perfect mood-setter for romantic occasions, but would be required listening on a smooth jazz kind of Sunday.

That’s My Jam’s Rating:
5. Get It Now
4. Get It On Sale
3. Get It As a Gift
2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store
1. Don’t Get It At All

Track List:
1. “You’re My Baby”
2. “Sidestep”
3. “Magic”
4. “Ms. Harmony”
5. “Dreamworld”
6. “Loverman”
7. “Hard On My Love”
8. “The Sweetest Love”
9. “Something Else”
10. “Shadow of Doubt”
11. “Cry No More”
12. “Tie My Hands” with Lil Wayne