Chart Performance: Rymez

Rymez is  a UK-based producer and songwriter.  His first UK top 10 hit, Heatwave, his collaboration with Wiley and Miss D, went to #1 and this week, it slips to #6.

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Chart Performance: Public Enemy

The American hip hop group Public Enemy gets their first UK top 10 hit with Harder Than You Think. The song has now peaked at #4 and this week, the song slips to #7.

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Ray - The Amazing Journey of Ray Charles

I was not able to watch the theatrical release of Ray - the Oscar-winning movie about the singer Ray Charles.  I'm not even sure if it was released here in the Philippines.  Anyway, I finally saw the movie today in HBO and I was immediately hooked - considering that I was not even able to begin it.

I like the way how Taylor Hackford, the director of the movie, presented his life story.  He showed both the positive and the negative ways of the singer and all his travails as a struggling piano man.  Jamie Foxx truly deserved his Oscar Best Actor award as he completely disappeared into the role - you see Ray Charles, you don't see Jamie Foxx doing an impersonation of the legendary singer.

For first timers who are not familiar with Mr. Robinson's music, the movie's songs should set the tone as it introduces all the legendary work of Ray.  I only knew now that the introductory song in Kanye West's hit was actually Ray Charles!

I was very much inspired by the movie, truly!  I love how Ray's mother inspired him and taught him to take care of himself - and not to see himself as someone useless.

 

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Rediscovering Jazz Music Through Vincent Ingala

Being cute always helps!  You have to forgive me for being shallow, but when I was browsing the Billboard jazz charts, I saw the picture of Vincent Ingala whose song Can't Stop Now is in the top 10, and I immediately listened to his song!  Of course, no matter how cute a guy is, if his song sucked, I wouldn't have bothered anymore BUT you should listen to this - it sounds pretty cool!!

Anyway, in my personal countdown, Vincent Ingala already has two top forty hits.  Can't Stop Now peaked at #4 last year.  This year, Wish I Was There is currently at #6.

Chart Performance: Tenth Avenue North

Tenth Avenue North, an American contemporary Christian band, gets their very first US top 10 album this week with The Struggle, as it debuts at #9.

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