As we return presents and fail to accomplish another series of New Year's resolutions, there are plenty of new releases scheduled for 2007 to keep our spirits up. Dates, titles and projects are subject to change.
Hot on the trails of Dreamgirls, Jennifer Hudson's much-anticipated debut is tentatively scheduled to come out this spring on Clive Davis' J Records. This is perfect timing considering the Chicago native's early Oscar buzz. The former American Idol contestant has been asked about a potential conflict between her faith and gays. On her official Web site Hudson posts, 'Yes, I was raised Baptist. Yes, I was taught that the Bible has certain views on homosexuality. The Bible also teaches us not to judge. It teaches us to love one another as God loves us all. I love my sister, my two best friends and my director dearly. They happen to be gay.'
Also on J Records, Annie Lennox has a new album in the works slated for release later this year. While details are spare, in an AOL music blog Mary J. Blige states that she has been contacted for a possible duet with Lennox on her fourth solo outing. In the meantime, Lennox will be contributing her take of Ladies of the Canyon to the spring collection, A Joni Mitchell Tribute. This rendition was originally a B-side to 1995's hit No More I Love You's. Other artists covering Mitchell's songs include Sarah McLachlan, Prince and k.d. lang.
Queen Latifah blurs genres in her artistry time and time again, whether it is rapping, acting or being in a 'class' of her own with singing showtunes. Now the woman who brought Mama Morton to the big screen in Chicago is going to do the same with the beloved character Motormouth Maybelle in the film adaptation of the musical Hairspray. Also, Queen Latifah is working on a follow-up to 2004's Interscope standards collection, The Dana Owens Album.
According to remembertheeighties.com, Duran Duran is expected to return this spring with the successor to 2004's Astronaut. Don't expect the Duranies to 'come undone' with original guitarist Andy Taylor newly out of the picture. They will be collaborating with Timbaland, one of the hottest producers out there. Also, Justin Timberlake keeps the pace going on the song New Runner. Can't wait that long? Check out Ferry Corsten's dance anthem, Fire, which samples Simon LeBon's vocals from the overlooked nugget, Serious. The new romantics are planning a tour as well.
It has been over 15 years since Evelyn 'Champagne' King had an album out, but look for one in '07. All this time, her musical influence can be heard in the next generation's sound. Kim Wilde, Zhane, Lil Kim and Ice Cube have all tapped into King's catalog. The singer of such gems as Shame and Love Come Down is fully aware that a new record is a long time coming: 'I've been consistently doing material live at shows non-stop, so this album is way overdue. It's time for me to get back in the studio. I know what my fans want from me.' Other dance divas with expected 2007 releases include Kylie Minogue and Ultra Nate.
Has it really been seven years since Everything But the Girl's opus Temperamental came out? Tracey Thorn's sexy raspy vocals have been missed gravely—and her solo album is due out this spring via Virgin Records. On her MySpace page, she reveals that the set's main producer is Ewan Pearson, who remixed tracks for Depeche Mode and Goldfrapp. She also mentions that the new song A-Z is a downtempo piece about a gay youth being bullied at school. Other highlights will include a cover of the Pet Shop Boys' King's Cross and a new spin on Arthur Russell's Get Around To It. Other than singing with Everything but the Girl, Thorn collaborated with Massive Attack and, more recently, sang with Tiefschwarz on the single, Damage. Other songbirds branching out on their own in 2007 are Garbage's Shirley Manson, Sunscreem's Lucia Holm, Deee-Lite's Lady Kier and Black Box Recorder's Sarah Nixey.
Pauline Taylor, one of England's best kept secrets, is releasing her third album in 2007 though the label Fred. You may not recognize the name, but surely you have heard her singing. Taylor's pitch-perfect voice can be found on collaborations with favorites Dido ( Take My Hand, Hunter ) , The Pet Shop Boys ( For Your Own Good ) and Faithless ( Don't Leave, Addictive ) . While her pairings lean toward electronic and dance music, Taylor's solo efforts are rich in folk and storytelling. Taylor's sophomore set, A Simple Life, is available through cdbaby.com and iTunes.
When Beth Gibbons began working on her 2003 solo bow Out of Season, many thought this was the end of the line for her band, Portishead. The groundbreaking group took a hiatus after its acclaimed two records and live album. However, the masterminds behind Sour Times and Glorybox are not through yet. A new release for Island Records is still under way with the street date being pushed back from 2006 to 2007. While devotees wait, fellow electronic act Massive Attack is readying its latest, Weather Underground, for the spring.