So if you thought summer kicked off during Memorial Day weekend in the United States, think again. Summer officially started on June 21, 2007 and lasts until Sept. 22. That's three whole months of potential fun in the sun. And in celebration of the finest of the four seasons, your Guide to R&B has compiled a list of 10 new and new-ish songs that could - and perhaps should - be blaring from your radios, CD players and televisions this summer.
1. "Wall to Wall," Chris Brown
Album cover © Jive Records.
Chris Brown's second album, Exclusive, is coming out later this year, but this song just happened to be let out of the box a little early. As you can tell by listening to it, Chris the teenager is on his way to becoming a grown man.
2. "Ayo," Mya feat. DJ Kool
Cover © Motown/Universal
This promotional single was supposed to be on Mya's new album, Liberation, which (hopefully) comes out later this year. The song may or may not wind up on the album, but it's still a nice, energetic party track that's just right for the summer.
3. "Get it Shawty," Lloyd
Cover © Universal.
If you're not up on Lloyd's new album, Street Love, it's one of the better releases of 2007 by a young artist. Practically half the album's songs could be hit singles. By the end of the summer, you'll probably have heard "Get It Shawty" hundreds of times.
4. "Like This," Kelly Rowland feat. Eve
Kelly Rowland's second album, Ms. Kelly, comes out just in time for Independence Day in the U.S., which is good, because "Like This," is a fun, sassy summertime jam that's perfect for listening to during a holiday cookout.
5. "Same Girl," R. Kelly feat. Usher
Image © Jive Records.
As you might guess, any song featuring both R. Kelly and Usher is bound to be a hit, and this song from Kelly's Double Up album definitely is. Be prepared to hear it on the radio and see it on video shows most of the summer.
6. "Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now," Joss Stone feat. Common
Image © Virgin Records.
This song, which is on Joss's current album, Introducing Joss Stone, isn't specifically about summer, but it does capture the magical feeling of being with the one you love on a bright sunny day or a cool summer night.
7. "September," Kirk Franklin
Cover © Stax/Concord Music.
A remake of the classic Earth, Wind & Fire song by the modern-day Gospel legend, Kirk Franklin. Can't get much better than that. The track is on a compilation album called Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire, that was released in March. Listening to it reminds your Guide of partying on a warm summer night.
8. "When I See You," Fantasia
Cover © J Records.
This is the second single off the self-titled second album by former American Idol Fantasia. Your Guide still thinks the album's second single should have been "Baby Makin' Hips," but still, this song's pretty good, too. This is another one of those nightime summer listening songs.
9. "My Valentine," Lloyd
Image © Universal Records.
Ah, summer love: " And I don't know what to do, I can't stop loving you, But its cool 'cause I'm learnin' the truth, So I can't deny to myself that I'm crazy over you. Now my heart beats for two. But it just ain't enough to let ya know. Girl, you gotta feel it in ya soul."
10. "Easy," Paula deAnda feat. Bow Wow
Single cover © Sony/BMG.
Even though the chica Paula deAnda has just a so-so voice, this song is set on fire by the rapper Bow Wow. His verse is short, simple and too the point - it's perfect. Dude came to the studio, handled his biz and was out. Oh and the beat's pretty tight, too.