SUMMER MUSIC BestBuyBusters

Long, warm summer days are not too far off and I can almost smell the fields of budding flowers. With the changing of the season comes the warmth and sun people have been waiting for after the cold winter season. Along with the new season comes a budding of new music. Noteworthy artists have already stamped their summer release dates, which are usually accompanied by their summer tour dates. Now I don't have all the exact dates, but at least you have the artists and albums to be on the watch for... here are the releases I am waiting for... 

Jason Aldean - Wide Open - April 7 - One of the best new artists in country music. Jason Aldean's first two albums were platinum and gold, and Wide Open is sure to follow suit. Can you handle a little rock in your country? 

Classified - Self-Explanatory - April 7 - You may or may not know who he is, but I am willing to bet most of you probably don't. A big name in the land of the midnight sun - Canada - Classified is a rapper and producer who has been around for a long time. I heard about him not to long ago and was an instant fan. I recommend giving his newest CD a listen (or any of his other 12 albums for that matter). 

Eminem - Relapse - May 19 - This will be Eminem's fifth studio album, and his first since taking a four year hiatus from the world of music. I don't really need to put anything other than the date of release and Eminem. I am pretty sure that sells itself. 

Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The Guardians - late summer - Now I know he recently retired and then un-retired the very next day, but Kid Cudi is fast rising star in the game. He is part of the new, fresh wave of hip-hop and I can't wait to hear what he has to offer day and night. 

 

Wale - Attention: Deficit - summer (June) - I have to represent for the DMV. And Wale has brought his flair of hip-hop to the mainstream scene with the single "Nike Boots" and "Chillin" - but what separates him from the rest is his use of the uniquely D.C. sound of go-go. If you are looking for a something completely unlike the rest, Wale has it covered. 

Lupe Fiasco - Lasers - summer - Not sure when Lupe Fiasco plans on actually releasing this album, considering this was originally set to be his last ever (lupE.N.D.), all I know is Jay-Z was 110% correct when he said Lupe was a "breath of fresh air." Glad Lupe is planning on more than just one album. 

Charles Hamilton - This Perfect Life - later 2009 - Like Kid Cudi and Wale, Charles Hamilton is another one of the young guns pushing to the forefront of the hip-hop world. Also just like the other young artists, Hamilton brings his own unique flair and style which separates him from the rest. 

Jay-Z - Blueprint 3 - maybe summer, or fall, or winter - Not much to say about this. Kanye West is the producer and Jay-Z is the artist. And honestly, does Jay-Z ever let down?... didn't think so. 

COOLER TALK - MIDWEST REGION

With just a few hours till tip-off of the best playoff system in sports we have finally reached the Midwest region, home of the overall number one seed, the Louisville Cardinals. This is also the home to some of the tournaments hidden gems and potentially the tournaments biggest upsets. Some of the biggest pre-tournament stories are located within this Midwest region. To top all that off are the coaching names that can be found yelling and pacing the sidelines of the Midwest region. Pitino, Matta, Huggins, Izzo, and Self.

Match-up to hope for - Looking through the possible match-ups I think the best to hope for would be  WVU-USC  showdown. The young guns of the Mountaineers have come on as of late and the Trojans have made a surge to solidify their tourny berth. Two wins for each team and this will be possible (I have it laid out that way). 

Star power you want to gaze at - There is NO other player in this region who does as much for his team and is as fun to watch as Terrence Williams for Louisville (more below), but I am going with Devin Ebanks. The Mountaineer freshman forward has become the go-to-guy for the WVU squad. He has become an offensive weapon and a defensive menace. The Mountaineers always seem to get hot in the Big East tournament and then win a few games streaking through the tourny... so look out for Ebanks to leave a big footprint on the dance floor. 

Unusual S(tar)uspects - I am now realizing a little biased towards freshman in this region, but the class has been down this year - well before these young guys were able to get 30+ games under their belts. I am picking DeMar DeRozan, the Trojans freshman forward from Compton. He has finally emerged as the player everyone expected him to be at the seasons start. DeRozan has been a big part of the Trojans run to win the Pac-10 tournament - winners of 5 straight coming into the dance - DeRozan upped his game with 21 points 13 boards against UCLA in the semis and then dropped 25 points in the championship win over Arizona State in the Pac-10 finale. DeRozan has the chance to really shine in upset victories. 

Team to watch that may surprise you - This is a toss up between six teams. I think there are that many teams who are capable of slipper-wearing upsets in this region. USC and WVU are teams that have length and athleticism, which to me makes them both dangerous. But also the smaller schools who are looking to see if the slipper fits are North Dakota State and Cleveland State. Lay off, I know who they are playing in the first round, but Cleveland State played the Mountaineers tough earlier in the year and beat Butler to get in the dance. And NDSU can shoot the three-pointer from all over court and since this is their first dance ever they will be bringing a little extra. But you don't have to take my word for it. 

Sweet 16 picks - These may come as a surprise to you, but sometimes you have to take chances in order to win your pool (or in my case pools)... I have Louisville, WVU, USC, and Arizona. 

Advice to YOU, who wants to pick the upset - All I can tell you in this region is... No guts, no glory. If you don't like that, how about "Just Do It." Do you have the cahones to take a Cleveland State or a North Dakota State. I will tell you right now that I took a chance... 

Final Four pick - Louisville Cardinals. I mean come on. They full-court press teams for the entire game and never seem to get tired. Terrence Williams is one of the few guys, if not the only, who can completely change the game without scoring a basket. He is possibly the most complete player in the tournament. Here is the recipe... first you add in the shooting of Earl Clark. Then you sprinkle in the inside banging of Samardo Samuels. Make sure you combine in the defense of Jerry Smith and Andre McGee, oh and don't forget a large pinch of one of the best and deepest benches around. Louisville is a favorite to go FAR. 

COOLER TALK - EAST REGION

A return of a former Cinder-fella. A big man looking to make his mark. And a group of Blue Devils ready for a grande return... and maybe even a little revenge. The East region isn't the part of the bracket where the fans will see major star powers battle. Rather the East region will be a battle of the lesser known hardwood warriors. 

Match-up to hope for - This is a game which will be fueled by revenge. As we know revenge is best served cold, and for the Duke seniors they know that feeling all to well. The 2007 first round upset loss to VCU was a major stunner to the college hoops world. If both VCU and Duke can win two games, the stage will be set for a VCU-Duke Sweet 16 showdown. By the way, the player of the game for the Rams (against DUke) - Eric Maynor - is still the man at VCU. But if you don't want to wait that long. Check out the battle that will be going on in the first round between Eric Maynor and Darren Collison. Could be a battle for the ages. 

Star power you want to gaze at - It isn't hard to know which teams to watch to see some of the best talent in the tournament. The easy answer is to pick one of Pitt's Big 3 of Blair, Fields and Young, but I am picking a player who is absolutely crucial to his teams performance. The star to watch in the East region goes to Scottie "Too Hottie" Reynolds. Villanova's star point guard is the engine that moves Nova forward. I know Dante Cunningham has been brilliant for the Cats this season, but it is Reynolds who holds the keys to the offense and is the player who is most likely to shoot the lights out. He is capable of having some huge games. 

Unusual S(tar)uspects - Well if you haven't heard enough of him (don't call it a man crush) you are going to hear his name again. Eric Maynor has bracket buster experience, and ice water running through his veins. He is a hard-nosed ball player who makes everyone around him better. Just don't count out the Rams with Eric Maynor running the show. 

Team to watch that may suprise you - The Seminoles of Florida State made a good run through the ACC tournament, ultimately falling to Duke in the championship game. They were rewarded with a 5-seed in the tourny and are matched-up against a "don't judge a book by its cover" Wisconsin squad who will offer a tough challenge. But the Seminoles have Toney Douglas running the point and sniping from all distances, to go along with two strong, shot blocking big men inside - Soloman Alabi and Uche Echefu - giving the Seminoles a real good chance to make a surprise run. 

Sweet 16 picks - I am going to keep it simple. I have Pitt, Xavier, Duke, and Villanova. As much as I wanted to take VCU and maybe even Florida State this was not the place for me to throw my money away. 

Advice to YOU, who wants to pick the upset - Wisconsin isn't enough of an underdog - even if they are the 12-seed - to call it a true upset. I am sticking with the Rams of VCU. Again as the underdog, but this time the upset will be against college basketballs most everything, UCLA. 

Final Four pick - I don't think any other team in the East region is as physical and fun to watch as the Pitt Panthers. They are controlled street ball under floor general Levance Fields, who is a New York street baller. With big man DeJuan Blair splattering opposing big men all over the paint, and Sam Young throwing down alley-hoops it is hard to stop anything else the Panthers throw at teams - Wanamaker, Dixon, and Biggs. 

COOLER TALK - SOUTH REGION

This region is much different than the West Region, because the unexpected is the expected. There are seven teams, to me, that could make that run to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, with the power add in some Cinder-fella and you have a bracket to watch... but the question becomes who do you pick? A tough question and I got the answers...

Match-up to hope for - Oklahoma v. UNC. Don't get me wrong I don't see this match-up happening, but the chance of Tyler Hansbrough and Blake Griffin facing off in the Elite 8 would be a match-up (maybe not game) to watch. The two big men have been at the top of the sport all season... and a chance to see those two dance in the paint would be a clash for the ages. 

Star power you want to gaze at - It is hard to pick the big named star to watch in the region, with so many to choose from - Hansbrough, Griffin, Flynn, Matt Bouldin, Josh Heytvelt, etc... But just like my friend Daniel Dudley on his blog (ddisbored.wordpress.com) I have to give it to JAMES HARDEN, the Arizona State guard. The guy is a baller. He has never played his age... and is the best player on the court every time his team plays. He was a NBA prospect last year as a freshman, and has only strengthened his resume. 

Unusual S(tar)uspect - Dionte Christmas has the potential to be this year's version of last season's Stephen Curry. What Curry did in last season's tourny was nothing short of unbelievable, but without him in the big dance you will be searching for a replacement... Christmas is the player. I still remember the headline from the second week of December that read- Christmas Comes Early! - Dionte Christmas had 35 points in the upset win, over then ranked #8 Tennessee. 

Team to watch that might surprise you - I like defense. And if you can put full court pressure on the other team, you will cause turnovers, and win games. That is what the Clemson Tigers do and they do it well. They have a sniper in Terrence Oglesby, but more importantly their big man Trevor Booker is an underrated and unknown gym gem. He is an undersized big man (this years big man trend - Hansbrough, Blair, Griffin, and Harangody), but he has tons of athleticism and low post ability. Booker versus Griffin will be another match-up to watch.

Sweet 16 picks - This may come as a suprise to many of you reading this, but this is what I got for my South region Sweet 16 picks... UNC, Gonzaga, Arizona State, Clemson. You may be asking yourself where Syracuse and Oklahoma are? Oklahoma isn't deep enough for me, and the back court isn't strong enough to handle the Clemson pressure. Syracuse is legitimately a dangerous team with Jonny Flynn, Andy Rautins, and Paul Harris, but I just don't see it happening again. Flynn is a point guard who leaves his heart on the floor, I just don't know if they have any magic left. 

Advice to YOU, who wants to pick the upset -  Illinois without their star guard Chester Frazier is an easy target for a tournament experienced Western Kentucky. This is the 5-12 match-up that favors the 12-seed, go with the Hilltoppers. If you are feeling like taking a risk, go with Dionte Christmas and the Owls of Temple. It isn't as big of a risk as you may think...

Final Four pick - I know people are in love with the Gonzaga Bulldogs this season, but there also seems to be an equal number of skeptics. They have heard this story before - Gonzaga always seems to be the team to watch. Head Coach Mark Few has been to the tourny the last seven seasons, but has made just one Sweet 16 appearance. You know where this is all leading, and this is where I reveal that I have Gonzaga as my Final Four representative from the South region. With an experienced Gonzaga team, led by Josh Heytvelt, Matt Bouldin, Jeremy Pargo, and Austin Daye, they have the size, defense, scoring, and talent to finally breakthrough and shine. 

COOLER TALK - WEST REGION

The top heavy West Region is NOT the part of the bracket that you want to get crazy with upset picks. It may seem like a good choice to have one or two upsets in each region, but this West isn't wild. Here is what I got for the West Region games...

Match-up everyone is looking towards - Missouri v. Memphis. Both teams should make it to the Sweet 16 and when they do this game could be the clash of the tourny. High-flying offensive squad versus a stingy, shutdown defensive team. Can't miss Tiger Showdown. 

Star power you want to gaze - A.J. Price has certainly stepped up in for the UCONN Huskies since Dyson went down with the season ending injury. His performance towards the seasons end and in the Big East tourny were impressive. And if UConn is to go far Price will be a major reason why. 

Unusual S(tar)uspect - The freshman star leading the Washington Huskies, Isaiah Thomas, is lighting in a bottle. A 5-8 scoring machine can shoot from any spot on the floor and will go inside to mix it up with the big fellas. I know Tyreke Evans is the more well-known freshman baller in this bracket, but I promise Thomas won't disappoint. 

Sweet 16 picks - Like I said this bracket is heavy on top and full of Huskies and Tigers... I am going with UConn, Missouri, Memphis, and Washington...

Advice to You who wants to pick the upset - Utah State is a very good team with a very good big man, Gary Wilkinson (a double-double machine), but there half court, slowed-down style of offense won't be very affective against a fast and strong Marquette team (even without Dominic James). And just because Mississippi State got hot and won the SEC title doesn't mean you should pick them. Watching the end of the SEC title game, showed that they didn't even want to win, but Tennessee was unable to take it. Don't take the bait. 

Final Four pick - I have to go with the team that can score and play defense better than any other in the region. The West region will go to Memphis, as they make their second Final 4 appearance in two years. 

COOLER TALK - Week Review

Hitting Coach on Roids? Mark McGwire has moved on with his life since the Congressional hearings investigating steroids in baseball. McGwire has become a hitting instructor. He isn't doing this for a high school or college team, McGwire is helping some big name MLB players, such as Matt Holliday (OAK), Skip Schumaker (STL), and Chris Duncan (STL). It just seems a little early. It wasn't that long ago that Mr. McGwire was pouring his heart out at the congressional hearings.  Plus what is he going to teach?... how to play with steroids? The best way to inject your friend in the cheek?, etc... I am not going to sit here and write an approval of McGwire's steroid use during his career, but the guy could mash the ball. I just find it interesting that these major leaguer's would turn to him for hitting advice. It still seems a little to soon. 

BS of the Week. Can you really make a strong argument for Hasheem Thabeet being the co-Big East Player of the Year? Please be honest. Don't get me wrong, Thabeet is a whole truckload better than he was last season. He is a better shot-blocker, a better scorer, and a better rebounder; but just because he has improved his game doesn't mean he is now the (co-) Big East player of the year. It means, to me, he is the league's MOST IMPROVED. Plus look at who he shares the award with - DeJuan Blair. The Pitt big man who man handled Thabeet in both games between the two games this season (also both Pitt victories). To be honest, DeJuan Blair doesn't need to share the award with anyone. He was the best player in the league this season, averaging 15.6 points and 12.2 points a game. 

But if there is a case that should be made for co-Big East player of the year, what about Louisville star forward Terrence Williams? Even Pittsburgh forward Sam Young deserves a look. But I think, if you were to have co-Big East players of the year, Terrence Williams is the more deserving player. He is an athelete who can alter the game without scoring a basket. He does everything on the floor, and more. Over the course of the season, Williams averaged 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.5 steals a game. Last night's Big East championship was a prime example of how much Williams can do to change a game. For me, Thabeet being named co-Big East player of the year, alongside DeJuan Blair, is deserved of the BS of the Week award. 

Dancing to the Tourny. Championship week(end) didn't disappoint. But then again does it ever. It is hard to disappoint a die hard college basketball fan, especially with sweet scent of March Madness in the air. The Big East Conference tournament spotlight was again centered on the drive and desire of the Syracuse Orange - 7 OT's in two days. But it was the regular season champs the - Louisville Cardinals - who ultimately took the tournament crown. The ACC was a bracket of upsets as Florida State beat UNC, and Maryland handed it to Wake Forest. Then there was the Pac-10 which was turned upside down when the USC Trojans came from behind to beat the heavily favored Arizona State Sun Devils. And who would I be to skip the mid-majors games, which turned in some of the best post season conference tournament finishes. Is it Thursday already? Check out BLOG LIKE A CHAMPION later this week for my tournament: the Sleeper you don't want to sleep on, the Stars you won't want to miss, and my Final Four picks.

When times are tough...

Find something that will make you laugh. My Dad sent me this email the other day and I thought it was worth sharing. It was shot in a Liverpool Street Station, with 400 dancers and 10 hidden cameras - and only the dancers and station staff knew what was going on. One of the better advertisements (that doesn't involve the etrade baby) I have seen. It is worth the two minutes I promise - just at least watch it until you see the old lady getting down - hilarious!

It's official. Slim Shady has announced the date chosen for the release of his next solo album - Relapse. Following a four year break from the music world, Eminem has announced that the Relapse will be on sale in stores May 19th. Eminem also revealed that the first single from the upcoming album is set to be released April 7th - I am interested to see what he and Dr. Dre have cooked up. And to complete the news coming from the Slim Shady camp, he said that him and Dre were on such a role in the studio (six months of working), that he will be releasing the Relapse 2, at the very end of 2009. 

*NEW CD REVIEW*

K'NAAN - TROUBADOUR

The best way, for me, to describe what K'naan brings to the table, in Troubadour (his first album) is a little bit of everything. He brings roots reggae ideals, and mixes them with hip-hop sounds. He brings world music and ties it together with a melody of horns. It is hard to truly understand where K'naan is coming from. Born in an area of Somalia known as "the Lake of Blood" - K'naan made it out and has chosen music has his platform to share his stories. That is what makes this album so very enjoyable. It isn't the same old hip-hop album. It has soul. It has heart. It uses folk and hip-hop and rock. The lyrics carry with them meaning. And in the meaning are stories that the hip-hop world rarely hears. Troubadour takes aim at the world, as K'naan tries to open peoples eyes. In the Somalian language, K'naan means "traveller", which seems so appropriate. Because as you listen to his music in each of his songs, K'naan looks to take his listeners on a journey through his stories. With guest appearances from Damian Marley, Mos Def, Adam Levine (Maroon 5), and ChubbRock, the album is sure to surprise you. Not a perfect album, but a banger of a first. 

**4.75 (out of 5)**

Top Songs - "Wavin' Flag" - "Bang Bang" - "Take a Minute" - "I Come Prepared" - "If Rap Gets Jealous" 

*BOX OFFICE FLICKS TO SEE*

- THE SOLOIST (April 24) - Jamie Foxx is in another role revolving around a musician with a tough challenge in his life to overcome. I am sold. Ray was great, I have no doubt Foxx does it again in this flick. 

- X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (May 1) - The X-Men movies have all been pretty solid. It is hard to say this one won't follow in suit. Plus Hugh Jackman is still Wolverine. 

- ANGELS & DEMONS (May 15) - The Da Vinci Code was a movie that challenged the mind of the believers and the standards. For those who aren't open-minded about their religion skip this. But you will be missing out. 

- TERMINATOR SALVATION (May 22) - It's part of the Terminator series. And Christian Bale is the grown up John Conner, set to lead humankind against the machines.

- TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN (June 24) - The first one was an awesome flick. There is no reason this one won't be good. And forget about Shia LeBeouf... Michelle Fox is back for the second one - HOT! *It will be this Summer's Blockbuster to see. And you can count me in now. 

 - PUBLIC ENEMIES (July 1) - Lets see, where should I begin with this movie? Hmm... Oh yea, that's right. Johnny Depp and Christian Bale are the stars. Need I say more? In case I do, the movie is about famous American gangster John Dillinger. But really... Tommy Guns, Bale and Depp... come on you know it sounds good. 

- G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF THE COBRA (August 7) - This movie is for those guys who grew up playing with G.I. Joe's. I know that I had a few. An action-packed movie, G.I. Joe will surely take you back to a simpler time in your life, when playing with boy dolls was cool. And for the ladies, Channing Tatum is it the movie. 

- INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (August 21) - A new spin on another WWII story. This time the cast is led by Brad Pitt, as a group of Jewish-American soldiers attack Nazi troops in the worst ways. Looks like it has some potential. 

*SeVen Jam$ of the wEEk*

1. "Life is Good" - Mos Def - Aiming at a bigger, better picture, Mos Def tells people to "stay humble, be proud, cry when you need to, and laugh out loud." A track that I could listen to over and over and over and over - do you get it yet? - and over again. 

2. "The Sky Might Fall" - Kid Cudi - As Kid Cudi continues to do his thing. He also brings a new style and sound different from the rest. This track carries a similar sound to what we heard on 808's & Heartbreak but with Kid Cudi's spacey, man on the moon twist. 

3. "Topless" - Dr. Dre ft. T.I. & Nas - It's Dr. Dre. He may not have a line in the track, but I repeat - IT IS DR. DRE. 

4. "It's America" - Rodney Atkins - With spring quickly approaching, country music will be picking up. And this is just the start. Real good song. 

5. "Knock You Down" - Keri Hilson ft. Kanye West & Ne-Yo - A powerhouse and gentleman of R&B - Ne-Yo, comes together with R&B's rising star Ms. Keri Hilson. Add in a sprinkle of Kanye West - and you get a real cool, upbeat track.

6. "I Be Doin' Me" - Red Cafe ft. Ross Fortune - Big fan of Red Cafe, I just wish he would release an album. 

7. "Easy Does It" - Jake Owen - He is one of those rising stars. His second album came out not too long ago. As the weather warms, the country music comes out. 

Others receiving votes - "Gettin' You Home" - Chris Young - "I Hate This Town" - Shane O'Dozier - "Red Light" - Craig Nail - "Take a Minute" - K'Naan - "Bang Bang" - K'Naan