Grammy Award winning songbird India.Arie’s new album, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at #3, making it this week’s highest charting new release, and catapulting her to #1 on the Billboard Top R&B Chart.

Testimony: Vol. 2 is the follow-up to India.Arie’s 2006’s album, Testitomony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship. The new record includes her two singles, “Chocolate High,” featuring Musiq Soulchild, which has been the #1 most added song at Urban AC radio this week, while “Therapy” featuring Gramps Morgan, has become the #1 most downloaded song off the album.

To promote Testimony: Vol. 2, India.Arie made numerous TV appearances this week, beginning the day of her release (Tuesday, February 17th) with a live performance on ABC’s Good Morning America.

The singer/songwriter capped off her day of promotion by appearing as the fourth artist to be featured on VH1’s Soulstage series, performing new songs from the album, such as “Therapy” and “Pearls,” in addition to her previous hit records.

India.Arie emerged onto the music scene in 2001 with her double-platinum debut album Acoustic Soul, accumulating a number of accolades and awards in the process.

R&B newcomer Kevin “KC” Cossom is attempting to make the transition from life behind-the-scenes as a songwriter to being in front of the camera as an artist (he wrote R. Kelly’s hook on Young Jeezy’s “Go Getter”), and makes quite an impression with the release of his EP “PreAlbum.” Signed to hit-making producer Nate “Danja” Hill’s imprint, New Age Rock Stars (N.A.R.S.), Cossom provides listeners a glimpse of what he plans to offer as a singer-songwriter. With its palatable use of the auto-tune sound and grown-and-sexy vibe, “Late Night” can easily find itself in the rotation of many radio programmers’ playlists, as well as the bedrooms of lovers alike. “My Ex” not only features a verse from Rick Ross but also mesmerizing synthesizers that would make any snake charmer proud. Despite being opposite in tempo, “You Know What You Doin’” and “Hang That Over My Head” shows why Cossom’s number is dialed when artists need a record written. Although “PreAlbum” is only eight songs—including an intro and two interviews—it’s enough to satisfy the ear until KC drops the major label debut, which hopefully comes out sooner than later.

Myspace Music, the world’s premiere online music portal, is exclusively premiering new albums from Keyshia Cole (”A Different Me”) and Soulja Boy Tellem (”iSouljaboytellem”). The social networking site is offering fans the opportunity to stream the albums in their entirety before the official releases on December 16.

Keyshia Cole is releasing her third album, led by her first single “Playa Cardz Right,” which features the posthumous rapper Tupac Shakur. The single has already reached the top 15 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart. “You Complete Me” is the second single from the multi-platinum singer.

Internet sensation Soulja Boy Tellem is back with his second album, iSouljaboytellem, the follow-up to the platinum selling “Souljaboytellem.com,” which featured the ubiquitous hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy).” “Birdwalk” is the first single off his new album, followed by the Sammie assisted second single “Kiss You Thru The Phone.”

In addition to her new album, Keisha Cole is currently enjoying success on BET with the third season of her top-rated reality show, The Way It Is.

There used to be a time in R&B when male singers passionately broadcasted their love for the opposite sex. Rekindling the romance in music is Brandon Beal’s debut album “Comfortable.” 

Comprised mostly of ballads, the Texas native touches on different aspects of relationships throughout the disc, including: the courting process (“Grown,” “Girl”), cheating (“October”), breakups (“Don’t Wanna See You Again,” “Take Me Back”) and lovemaking (“Country Love”). A hopeless romantic, Brandon promises to please the target of his affection on “You Deserve,” declaring: “all I need is an open opportunity.”

Despite all of his wooing, the crooner isn’t immune to getting cold feet when pursuing women. The song “Maybe” finds the singer unable to approach the lady he’s attracted to at a bus stop—his rationale being: “maybe she was going home to her boyfriend, maybe I wasn’t the type that she wanted, maybe I coulda had her but I was trippin’.” Fortunately on “Purple Skirt,” Brandon finally gathers the courage to inform his crush that he’s interested in her. 

The production and songwriting anchor “Comfortable,” proving that chivalry in contemporary R&B still has its place when done the right way.

Label: MMG Records Inc.

Genre: R&B

Every so often an artist comes along that shuns convention and challenges the status quo of preexisting formulas. Peter Hadar happens to be that person, and his second album, “Well Dressed for the Art Show,” reflect his eccentric style. 

Fusing sounds and tones of R&B, Electronic, and Rock, the former fashion stylist turned singer/songwriter ventures into anomalous territory on the atmospheric “Painted” and spacey “Planets.” Returning back to earth piloted by the deep grooves of a base guitar is “Laugh Together,” a telltale song that explains how something so simple as laughter (or lack thereof) can affect the likelihood of a relationship advancing to the next level, as implied in the chorus: “we did not laugh together so it’s evident that we would not last forever.” Proud of his unorthodox ways, he even celebrates it on an interlude, singing: “if you’re weird and you know it clap your hands.” 

Even though “Well Dressed for the Art” defies traditional R&B formats, it proves that Peter Hadar’s presence alone is enough to make you pay attention.

Label: Cool Weirdo Music

Genre: R&B

Traditionally, recording artists have been the principal recipients of public praise and admiration for their creative offerings, and are generally recognized as the face of the music industry. But with the success of highly acclaimed producers such as Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and Swizz Beatz, notoriety has shifted from being exclusive to artists, as the composers behind the hits are now starting to garner equal attention in the spotlight.

Capitalizing from the rise of popularity in musical production is the service company, iStandard Producers. Started in 2005 by founders Don Di Napoli and Jason “J. Hatch” Hadshian, iStandard Producers connects promising beatmakers with the recording industry at-large. A hallmark of the company is the monthly globetrotting iStandard Producers showcase, which offers fledgling producers the forum to display their production skills in a formal beat battle. The event mobilizes members of the music community to assemble, network, collaborate and promote their artistic efforts in a sonic-friendly environment.

“The main purpose is to provide opportunities for up-and-coming producers to get seen and heard by the industry that they try so hard to get in front of. We break down the barriers and share our relationships with the producers. It’s also a great atmosphere for artists and producers to build and create music from the underground level up,” states J. Hatch.

In addition to executive duties, J. Hatch functions as the host of the event, setting the mood for the aspiring producers to confidently tout their material by employing the mantra that “every contestant is a superstar.” Since the iStandard Producers showcase is a competition, a myriad of music professionals (A&Rs, publishers, producers, etc.) are commissioned to judge the talent and offer their critiques of the producers’ respective tracks (sometimes to the contestants dismay). 

Although the panelists serve as arbiters of the music, they are also there to assess the producers’ potential for future opportunities and projects. In fact, a few iStandard Producer showcase participants have placed beats with some of urban music’s biggest names. “Producers that have been in our showcase have had placements with the likes of 50 Cent, Fabolous, Jill Scott, The Clipse, Snoop Dogg, and many more. We never promise anyone that they will be guaranteed a placement from our shows, you just get the connects and from there it’s on you,” says Don Di Naopli.

While New York City and Philadelphia have been the primary locations for the contests, iStandard Producers has extended the brand to include other cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix (this past March, the company packaged its format and participated in Sha Money XL’s 2008 “One Stop Shop Producers Conference”), and Miami, where they are hosting a “Beats on the Beach” showcase in October. (Plans are also in development to venture into Boston, Houston and Virginia.)

Even though iStandard Producers is an event that helps producers hone the technical aspects of their craft and provides new talent with a gateway to enter the music industry, it is also a valuable medium for novices to learn and educate themselves about the business of music production. And while receiving advice from industry insiders is normally difficult to obtain, the perks the showcase offers new producers is invaluable. “To gain knowledge from some of the most influential in music is priceless,” concludes J. Hatch. 

To learn more information about iStandard Producers, visit their website at istandardproducers.com.

    

Imagine if you were a new recording artist trying to establish a career in music and suddenly one day you find yourself performing at the home of a musical genius; an American icon. Well, this was the case for R&B singer James “Jaiden” Roston. The Long Island, NY native had the prestigious honor of showcasing his talent at the residence of the man that brought the world “Thriller”—none other than the venerable Quincy Jones. Following his performance, the legend and newcomer engaged in conversation, in which the famed producer stated that “real music is the cure for the industry,” hence Jaiden’s nickname as “The Cure,” which he’s been dubbed.

Although Jaiden is a newcomer in the eyes of the public, he certainly isn’t a newbie to the music industry. Formerly signed to Rich Harrison (producer for Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love” and many other hits) and his Richcraft/Atlantic imprint, the talented singer/songwriter/musician gained hands-on experience working in the shadows on a number of high-profiled projects: he sung background vocals for John Legend (“I Can Change” featuring Snoop); toured as a background vocalist for Jay-Z (“American Gangster” tour) and Puff Daddy (“Press Play” tour); and written records for Case, Carl Thomas, the popular Japanese R&B group Full of Harmony, Jeannie Ortega (Hollywood Records) and a few others.

After accumulating a wealth of knowledge behind the scenes, Jaiden is now stepping out to establish his own recording career, providing the world with his rendition of good R&B music. A tireless live performer, Jaiden has built a reputable name on the independent music scene for his rapturous vocals and exhausting stage show, connecting with fans and garnering a legion of loyal supporters in the process. And his hardworking efforts aren’t going unnoticed either, as music entities are beginning to show an interest in becoming active participants in the growth of his career.

With Jaiden’s fan base steadily increasing, a number of songs have been circulated to satisfy the rising demand for his music. The material he currently has in the marketplace is a contemporary version of classic R&B, where lyrics and subject matter are paramount. A few of the tracks making the rounds are the amorously seductive “Breakfast” and the memory evoking “Flashbacks.”

One of Jaiden’s more popular songs being serviced at various music outlets is the infectious and provocative “Paradise,” which expresses the mental stress caused by some of life’s ills and his yearning of escaping to a place free of such strain. On the song, Jaiden touches on a number of social issues, including racial profiling, as he sings: “Damn I look back in the rearview/fifth time this week stopped by the blue crew/aint no herb in the truck and I sure wasn’t speeding (they still gonna take me down to the precinct). Grew up in the ‘burbs with the same hood problems/single parent home, discrimination constant/ain’t no criminal but they still don’t see/what’s beyond my fitted and my fresh white tee.”

In these economically depressed times when consumers are being more selective about the music they purchase and record labels continue to grapple with the restructuring of the industry, a mature and experienced talent such as Jaiden is a valued commodity worth serious consideration. Despite the proliferation of manufactured artists entering the music business to obtain celebrity, financial security and other benefits, Jaiden pursues a career in music due to his unyielding enthusiasm for the art form. “There’s other things that I’m good at, but there’s nothing that I’m more passionate about,” says Jaiden. If the music industry intends to restore the faith of the buying public, then music companies need to put a premium on the quality of content being released by investing in talent with a commitment to artistry and longevity, and Jaiden is certainly an artist that meets both of those standards.