As my loyal readers know, one of my passions during my Air Force enlistment was being a DJ. Since I was stationed in the UK, it was sometimes hard to keep up with the music scene, as there was no satellite radio, the club scene rarely showcased new music, and I missed out on shows like 106 & Park. Often, I would buy new CDs based solely on their covers and find a way to incorporate the music into my sets, particularly if the artist caught my attention. One such artist was Brooke Valentine, who is this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday.
Valentine’s debut album, titled “Chain Letter,” was led by the single “Girl Fight,” which embraced the crunk R&B sound of the time. Lil Jon handled the production, and Big Boi contributed a hot 16 bars. I can only imagine how well the song performed in clubs back in the States. Honestly, the next wedding I attend, I might request it from the DJ to see the crowd’s reaction.
The next single, “Long as You Come Home,” features producer Deja the Great sampling Dynasty’s 1980 song “Adventures in the Land of Music.” This is the same sample used in Camp Lo’s 1997 hit “Luchini AKA This Is It,” and I bet there’s a killer mash-up of the two songs floating around out there. The song’s message is simple: Brooke sings about being hopelessly in love with her man and not caring about what her family or friends think.
The third and final single, titled “Cover Girl,” is a message song about wanting to be prettier so that she could become a cover girl. As the A&R in me considers it, I would have worked out a deal with “America’s Next Top Model” to make this the theme song for the current season, but unfortunately, the song never gained traction.
The rest of the album is ambitious, with Brooke refusing to be pigeonholed as she explores numerous genres. “Blah-Blah-Blah,” featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard, flirts with reggae, “Laugh Til I Cry” addresses abuse, “Taste of Dis” leans into pop, and “I Want You Dead” is a Baroque pop ditty that I would love to see featured in Jordan Peele’s next project.
Despite her talent, Valentine fell victim to her label not effectively promoting her or knowing how to manage her career. It seems they wanted her to compete with Ciara but should have placed her in a different lane. While Valentine may not have been a powerhouse vocalist, overall, this was a solid debut that deserved a better reception.
Final Grade: B
“Chain Letter” is available on all streaming platforms.
Director Potsy Ponciroli shifts gears for his third feature in “Motor City,” produced by IFC Films. Chad St. John penned the film’s screenplay, which was actually on the 2009 Black List and spent several years in development hell before finally getting underway.
San Francisco in film is often depicted through sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge or romanticized, foggy hills. However, “Splash City” from Lionsgate brings the focus down to street level. Co-directed by Alex Ferrufino and Gilbert Anthony Milam Jr. (better known as rapper and entrepreneur Berner), this R-rated crime drama moves away from postcard aesthetics to present a sharp, urgent portrayal of survival on the streets.
Writer-director Lee Cronin made an impressive feature film debut in 2019 with “The Hole in the Ground” and followed it up with a fresh and gruesome installment in the “Evil Dead” franchise, “Evil Dead Rise”. However, due to adult responsibilities, I missed his third film in theaters. The mixed reviews and rumors of a troubled production have me concerned.
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