♫ COLBY O’DONIS FEAT T-PAIN: NATURAL HIGH [NEW ARTIST WATCH]….

A new artist that is being mentioned for the very first time on Toya’s World is Colby O’Donis. The 19-year-old newcomer is signed to Akon‘s Konvict Music record label. His single ‘Don’t Turn Back‘ (which you can listen to here) was released last month on iTunes. Now he has teamed up with his Konvict labelmate T-Pain on an infectious banger called ‘Natural High’. Check it out.

I’m liking what I’m hearing because musically, he is reminding me of how Craig David was at 19 when he released Born To Do It. I think Natural High is hot and his vocals are pretty smooth. The newcomer will release his debut album Colby O on September 16th.

♫ COLBY O’DONIS FEAT T-PAIN: NATURAL HIGH

♫ NEW ARTIST WATCH: JENNIE LAWS & JAZMINE SULLIVAN [ALBUM SAMPLER]….

I was emailed about a new artist named Jennie Laws not too long ago. Not just a singer but a unique songwriter as well. The Toronto-born singer released her debut EP and it features songs such as ‘Heavenly,’ ‘I Just Wanna Be Close To You, ‘So Deep’ and ‘My Soul‘.

JENNIE LAWS: HEAVENLY
Musically, it combines different genres: Contemporary urban grooves with folkflavored nuances and jazz-tinged flourishes. She also cites Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Louis Armstrong, George Michael, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Ani DiFranco, Ben Harper and Lenny Kravtiz as musical influences. Interesting, consideing that all artists have totally different sounds and musical direction. I thought chick was just another second rated Kiley Dean, but there’s a more bluesy soul type vibe to her music other than just the straight R&B that’s been plaguing the not-so-cutting-edge music industry as late. Thanks Aaron.

I kept getting messages about new J Records artist Jazmine Sullivan. This is not the first time I mentioned Jazmine. I did an introductory post a while back.

Apparently, the 20-year-old is dropping an album soon and you can check out an album sampler (snippets of four songs) after the cut. The songs sound awesome. She’s one of the few new artists I am look forwards to this year. Don’t forget to drop your views on the two new artists. Thanks Mike.

JAZMINE SULLIVAN: ALBUM SAMPLER

INTRODUCING JAZMINE SULLIVAN….

20-year-old J Records signee Jazmine Sullivan is a new up & coming artist set to wow with her amazing vocal delivery. The singer is gearing up to release her first single, the reggae-favoured ‘I Need You Bad’ which is produced by Missy Elliott. You can listen to it below.

I posted two other tracks in this post just to give my readers an idea as to what genres of music she’ll be catering to. In Love With Another Man is a heart-felt piano-laid ballad and is the very song that sealed her recording contract with J Records. The song gives you some serious chills.

Her forthcoming album is scheduled to be released this summer with contributed production from Salaam Remi, Cool & Dre, Missy Elliott and few others. Check out some of the audio enclosed:

I NEED YOU BAD

IN LOVE WITH ANOTHER MAN

CHICK WITH AMBITION
It’s interesting that Cool & Dre is added to the mix because she assisted them in co-writing Christina Milian’s previous single ‘Say I’ and her track ‘So Amazin’. She’s also done background singing on fellow label mate Fantasia’s last album as well. Chick With Ambition is a female response to Kanye West’s latest single ‘Flashing Lights’ from his latest album Gradution. And just recently, the singer did a cover version of the Thelonious Monk jazz classic, ‘Round Midnight’ and the soulful ‘Resentment’ which was previously recorded by Beyonce and Victoria Beckham.

From what I’m hearing, her music will comprise of Jazz, Reggae, Soul and R&B influences. Clive Davis is definitely a man of talent. I don’t think he has ANYONE on that label who can’t sing their ass off. He aint signing no monotone bitches. Kudos to him.

INTRODUCING LEE CARR….

I’m introducing a new upcoming R&B act. His name is Lee Carr and he used to be signed to Def Jam Records. Currently, he is now signed to Jive Records. His first single (currently being debated as to which one to put out) hits radio next month. He must be pretty good because Jive Records signed him on the spot at his job. He’s the first artist they’ve ever signed in a 24 hour time period. Well, I was sent some new music which I think you should check out.

The Way We Used To Be [LISTEN]: The song is a piano-laced R&B ballad about a guy full of regret all because he messed up in his relationship. He wants his girlfriend to give them a second chance as he realises he was a fool for letting her go. I like the song. It’s nice and the vocal talent is definetely there although he could stand to set himself apart from your Omarion’s, Chris Brown’s, Mario’s, Bobby Valentino’s and Usher’s. But so far, he has potential.

Whats It Gonna Be [LISTEN]: This synthesized midtempo is calling on his lady to make a decision because it appears she’s having doubts. He use to be a playa but he’s changed and he wants to know where he stands. So far I am liking what I’m hearing from the new boy on the block. And as he’s on the same record label as Chris Brown, some healthy competition wouldn’t go amiss.

Thanks Andrew.

NEW R&B ARTIST: WYNTER GORDON SET TO SEND CHILLS….

Wynter Gordon could very well be the next Keri Hilson (even before Keri’s singing career has taken off). Wynter is an established singer/songwriter who wrote the song “Gonna Breakthrough” for the legendary Mary J Blige on her previous smash hit album The Breakthrough. Her first single, “Surveillance” has an electronica/dance pop type sound and punches you in the face with its unique styling. The song is taken from her soon-to-be released debut album on Atlantic Records and it’s a record that she wrote with Delisha Thomas. The song is produced by D’Mile. Her debut album is groomed with production from the likes of big name producers such as The Dream, Tricky Stewart, Syience, Bryan-Michael Cox and Ryan ‘Alias’ Tedder amongst others. I also included a snippet of a slow paced track called Times Up to emphasise that she does have a nice singing voice and that she’s not the type of artist to hide her lack of vocal ability under a riveting and catchy dance number. If you like what you hear and want to hear more, you can even download a mixtape of all of her leaked music put together by WORLD OF MELODIES a month ago. Enjoy.

WYNTER GORDON: SURVEILLANCE
WYNTER GORDON: TIMES UP (SNIPPET)
WYNTER’S OFFICIAL MYSPACE PAGE.