Randy Jackson's Music Club, Volume One
Concord Records/Dream Merchant 21 (03/11/08)
Pop / R&B / Rock / Country
If you can ignore the cheesy album cover, Randy Jackson's Music Club, Volume One is actually "pretty good, dawg." Most of America knows Randy Jackson now as a fun-loving American Idol judge, but he is also a Grammy-winning producer, virtuoso musician, hit songwriter and legendary A&R executive. His music industry experience is vast and Music Club Volume One is an accurate representation of what Jackson views as the formula to success in the overall current musical landscape.
Paula Abdul's "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" is catchy in that traditional Paula-Abdul-dance-track fashion and is her first new song in over a decade. Maybe I'm drinking the Coca-Cola, but I think Paula still has it. Joss Stone's "Just Walk On By" would be a solid dance/R&B hit for her and it's great to see her chosen by Jackson as one of the stars to represent what he considers an album that has something for everyone. I would absolutely love to see Joss perform this live with some Paula choreography.
"What I Am So Afraid Of" by Trisha Covington, Keke Wyatt and Kiley Dean, is exactly what I'd expect to hear on pop radio and covered on American Idol as the go-to ballad. "Like A" represents the R&B/hip-hop party by Crunk Squad featuring Ghostface Killah. "Who's Gonna Love You Now" has a beautiful vocal by Kellie Love and could provide some good remixes if released as a single. One of the biggest surprises was "Wang Dang Doodle"—and before you get caught up in the title, the legendary Sam Moore, Keb' Mo and Angie Stone provide some Louisiana blues and soul that make this track a welcomed addition to a pop-heavy album. This track provides what I wish more collaborations would do—a true mentor in the music industry like Moore with the up-and-comers who honor the traditional sound with their contemporary touches.
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