Urban News July 2006

KOOL & THE GANG’S CHARLES SMITH DIES Charles Smith, a co-founder and lead guitarist with Kool & The Gang died on June 20 after a long illness. He was 57. Smith wrote such Kool & The Gang hits as “Joanna” and “Take My Heart” and co-wrote the group’s classic singles “Celebration”, Kool & The Gang. Other members would include lead singer JT Taylor. Smith grew ill and was forced to stop touring with the group in January this year. His cause of death was unknown at press time. He is survived by his six children and nine grandchildre.

Snoop Dogg has amassed an impressive cast list for his upcoming studio album “Blue Carpet Treatment”. Says Snoop: “I’ve been working on it for nine months. I’ve been working with, amongst others, Pharrell, Timbaland, Will.I.Am, Stevie Wonder, James Ingram, Warren G, R. Kelly, Ne-Yo, Akon, Jermaine Dupri, janet Jackson. I have so much good material - it’s about figuring out what I’m going to use on my record or leave out!” Meanwhile, the rapper is also working on a Blue Carpet Treatment animated film and preparing to star in the live-action movie A Woman’s Touch.

MILIAN: NOT SO AMAZIN’ FOR DEF JAM Christina Milian and Def Jam have parted company. Following rumours that the singer had been kicked off the label, Milian’s publicist suggested the split was less dramatic stating: “Christina Milian and Island Def Jam have decided to end their relationship due to creative differences. This was a mutual decision.” The news came following modest sales of her latest album “So Amazin’” and reports that the singer refused to take direction fro Island Def Jam CEO, L.A. Reid who allegedly begged the singer to record “S.O.S. (Rescue Me)” which ended up becoming a hot single for label mate Rihanna.


JUSTIN T NEW ALBUM THIS AUTUMN
Justin Timberlake will release his new album “Future Sex/Love Sounds” in September through Jive Records. The new album, the follow up to his 7 million selling debut solo album “Justified”, is a multi-producer project and includes input by JAWbreakers, Timbaland, Rick Rubin and Timberlake himself. The first single “SexyBack” will arrive in August. Later this month, Timberlake kicks off an international promotion tour in Europe and Japan. Next month, he embarks on a US club tour previewing the new album.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE BOYS AT www.bluesandsoul.com for helping me with this info.