Luther Vandross wakes up from his coma

 

After more than a month of being in a coma in the ICU, there's been a positive medical development in the health of maestro singer Luther Vandross. A spokeswoman for his label, J Records, said Vandross recently came out of the coma he's been in since suffering a stroke April 16 at his New
York home.

People magazine stated from family and friends that ''Vandross can mouth words and nod his head'' but is yet unable to speak yet because he still has a tracheotomy tube in his throat. They also said he has begun mild physical therapy.

On the evening of June 2nd , Luther regained consciousness momentarily and tried to communicate with his mother, Mrs. Mary Ida Vandross. Mrs. Vandross reports the incident in the new edition of People magazine
where she says, quote: "I called to him I said, 'Your momma's here.' And he turned and actually smiled. He opened his eyes and he looked at me a long time ... and he tried to say, 'Momma.' " Doctors are cautiously optimistic about Luther's chances for continued recovery.

Source: xs4all.nl/~mroyen..

 

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Da Brat is back and she's 'In love wit chu'

It 's hard to believe but it's been the better part of 3 years since we last heard from Shawntea Harris known to the world Da Brat. The Chicago native last blessed us with 'Unrestricted' in 2000 but now returns with a new single 'In love wit chu' taken from her forthcoming album 'Limelite, Luv & Nightclubz' gearing to drop on record shelves come July 15th.

The single has the usual suspect producing it (namely JD aka Jermaine Dupri who now resides with Arista Records since departing from Columbia) and has the same feel in flava to Ashanti's latest release 'Rock with You (Awww baby) but apart from that it's all Da Brat from there. Helping out on background duties is newcomer Cherise who does a nice job harmonizing on the track.

As a whole, this record will be well welcomed and received (I might add) by her fans the rat tat tat tat is back and wants all to know it. Check out the video and song at arista.com (click on her image to get there).

 

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Pressure's on: Can Ashanti deliver on 'Chapter 2'?

 

After making such a tremendous impact in the R&B arena last year, the burning question that everyone's asking of the reigning R&B princess Ashanti Douglas is 'Can she surpass the plateau of her debut and deliver the goods a second time around or is she just another one of those hit and fade acts?'.

Well if her latest single Rock with you (Awww baby) is any indication then she's truly on her way. The stunningly gorgeous petite princess new song is giving 50 Cent's 'In da Club' a run for it's money as this summer's most requested song and summer anthem with it's catchy hook and saucy delivery by the sexy songstrss.

Her debut set delivered 5 top 10 hit singles including 3 No. 1s and so what's expected is (of course) more of the same. The formula hasn't changed much from word of mouth regarding the tenure of flava on the new album 'Chapter 2' with the usual suspects occupying the reigns (Irv Gotti serves as executive producer and Ja Rule as producer). But what of the material, has she grown as an artist matured as one would say? well according to Ja Rule 'she's hitting notes you never thought she'd hit'. Well only time will tell as to whether she rises or falls but one thing is certain - she's a hottie that looks good (in my book).

Tracklisting for Chapter 2:

1. Carry On
2. Dreammaker
3. Feels So Good
4. I Don't Mind
5. I Found Lovin'
6. Joy
7. Living Life
8. Make Ups To Break Ups
9. One Day
10.Rain On Me
11.Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)
12.Scared II
13.Show Up
14.Sweet Baby
15.U Say, I Say

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Aretha's new song is 'The only thing Missing'

 

The Queen of soul Aretha Franklin has a new single out this week. The song called 'The Only Thing Missin',' has been released early as a teaser from her upcoming album, due on record shelves Sept. 16 on Arista Records. The single is also being performed during Aretha's current tour named The Queen Is On tour, which has been billed as the last extensive tour of her career which has spanned over 40 years. The song is getting early airplay on stations such as WDLT Mobile, Ala., and WHUR Washington, D.C.

Franklin says the track is "one of the hottest songs" on her new album. "It's the kind of song that a singer waits for," she adds. The yet-to-be-titled upcoming set will be Franklin's first since 1998's 'A Rose Is Still a Rose'.

At least one track will be produced and written by Burt Bacharach, while Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Gordon Chambers, Barry Eastman, Troy Taylor, and Ron Lawrence will also contribute their production talents.

Source: billboard.com