Sarah Connor To Release New Single December 10th

German pop/R&B singer Sarah Connor is set to release the title track off of her seventh studio album, Real Love, on December 10th in her native Germany. I've been a massive fan of Sarah Connor for years so when I heard that she was releasing a new album I was just a little excited. "Let's Get Back To Bed Boy," "One Night Stand" and "Bounce" are just a few of my favorite Sarah Connor hits from the past few years. Back in 2004 when Connor attempted to crack the States with "Bounce" I had high hopes for U.S. domination but was disappointed when her self titled album (a compilation of material from her first three albums) barely cracked the top 100 on the Billboard 200 chart. oh well. Her failure to crack the U.S. market didn't hurt her career in Germany in the slightest as Naughty But Nice, Connor's fourth album peaked at #1 (her highest charting album to date). It's worth mentioning that all of Connor's seven albums have landed in the Top Ten. Pretty impressive!

While Connor's style has pretty much always been urban pop/R&B with a heavy focus on big power ballads (showcasing her rather impressive set of pipes) she does on occasion try something a little different. In 2005 Connor released a  holiday album (Christmas In My Heart) as well as a cover album in 2007 called Soulicious, made up of 60s, 70s Motown classics (+ 2 original tracks). Connor's last album, 2008's Sexy As Hell was a return to form for Connor, going back to sexy, soulful R&B with a hint of electro pop. Of all of Connor's albums, Sexy As Hell was probably my least favorite.  It just lacked a certain something for me. New album Real Love is classic Sarah Connor to me. Not only are there big power ballads but Connor even strays out of her save place and ventures into dance/pop territory with her first single "Cold As Ice."  After going for an up-tempo club stomper for the first single, Connor's label X-Cell is going with a ballad for single #2 - specifically the album's title track, "Real Love." Due out December 10th, German fans can pre-order the single now.  While it's no "From Sarah With Love," "Real Love" is a nice vehicle for Connor. It will be interesting to see how this one charts.

Check out Sarah Connor on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

My European Music Shopping Experience

Alright. Back to the music. I just returned yesterday from my week long European excursion to London, Munich & Ingolstadt. Had lots of fun and didn't really spend money on anything other than food, drink and music! Here's a quick rundown on some of my music purchases.

Photo by Jamie Sward, Please Contact Me Before Using

London - So apparently there are a couple of HMVs on Oxford Street but I only found one of them. The last time I was in London, I visited the HMV and found a LOT more selection in the way of CD singles. This one had one wall. Very disapointing. I also got some CDs at the HMV at London Heathrow.

Polly Scattergood - Polly Scattergood (2009): While I already downloaded her album as soon as it leaked, I had to pick up a hard copy. It's a fantastic album and it sees a US release later this Spring. Polly Scattergood is one to look out for, most definitely.

Noisettes - Wild Young Heart (2009): I enjoyed most of the Noisettes' last album, What's The Time Mr. Wolf?, and this was one of the new releases that came out just before I arrived. Haven't really listened to the album yet, other than first single "Don't Upset The Rhythm."

Gossip - Standing In The Way of Control (2006): I quite enjoy Gossip...especially Beth Ditto's vocals and fashion sense. I loved seeing her in all her glory on the cover of this month's Out magazine. I also look forward to the band's major label debut later this year.

Gossip - Rework It (2008): Rework It features remixes for "Listen Up," "Standing In The Way of Control," "Jealous Girls," and "YR Mangled Heart." I had some of these mixes from various sources but I was happy to find these all in one place.

Calvin Harris - I'm Not Alone (CD Single) (2009): I was hoping the single would have some mixes but oh well. This track wasn't available on iTunes in the US (at least not yet). The single only includes the radio edit and an extended mix but it's a dope track. I love it. Plus I have a crush on Calvin Harris.

Chicane - The Best of Chicane - 1996 - 2008 (2008): I primarily purchased this collection for one song...Chicane's 2007 track featuring American vocalist Jewel - "Spirit." This track has always been a favorite of mine and in the album notes, Chicane says that he wouldn't rule out releasing it as a single at some point. In fact, in 2007 there was a limited release promo CDR with reworks by Chicane and WAWA. Hot commodity! The rest of the album has some hot songs featuring the vocal work of Tom Jones, Keane, Bryan Adams and Natasha Bedingfield. Quality dance music.


Anastacia - Heavy Rotation (2009): Anastacia's last album, released everywhere except the United States of course. I already had this album downloaded but I love my Anastacia and wanted a copy of the CD for myself.

Photo by Jamie Sward, Please Contact Me Before Using

Ingolstadt - On my second day in Germany, my friend Amelia took me to Müller, this German chain store that sells everything from household items to CDs. I spent about 25 - 30 minutes perusing the CD section and picked up the following.

Christina Stürmer - In Dieser Stadt (2009): My friend Amelia said that one of her songs on the radio was pretty good. I wanted to get a CD in German, despite not knowing a lick of German. Haven't yet listened to the CD but I'm excited to give it a go. Christina Stürmer is from Austria and apparently pretty popular out there and in Germany. The good thing about Müller was it's selection of CD singles. While not amazing, it was better than HMV!

Sarah Connor - Soulicious (2007): Now Sarah Connor and I have a love hate relationship. I think she's released some gems in her time...and some completely laughable crap. While this CD questionably straddles the "crap" line...I have all of her other CDs so I sort of just wanted to round out my collection. This album is full of soul covers plus 2 original songs. I wish that her version of "Sexual Healing" with Ne-Yo was on this album but oh well.

Sarah Connor - Sexy As Hell (2008): Sarah's most recent album from last year, it marks a return to pop form. I enjoy most of the songs that I have heard but I definitely need to give them a re-listen. I'm particularly excited to listen to her collaboration with super producer J.R. Rotem ("Fall Apart").

Enrique Iglesias ft. Sarah Connor - Takin' Back My Love (CD Single) (2009): I was hoping for more of a tracklisting here but I definitely do enjoy this song. While I still think I might prefer Ciara's version...Sarah Connor definitely brings it. Enrique Iglesias isn't too bad either.

Gabriella Cilmi - Sanctuary (CD Single) (2008): I bought the remix promo CD on Ebay, I bought the "new version" when it was released on iTunes in the US, and I have the CD. I basically bought this on CD because of the Pocketknife re-edit. It's not bad. Good song. Gabriella Cilmi is a singer that I desperately want to hear new material from.

Alesha Dixon - The Boy Does Nothing (CD Single) (2008): I really like Alesha Dixon (formerly of Mis-Teeq). I bought the promo single for her second single, "Breathe Slow..." this was her first single. Remixes by Fred Falke and Crazy Cousinz. Wish the Bimbo Jones mixes were included here.

Jennifer Paige - Underestimated (CD Single) (2008): I had no idea that Jennifer Paige (Singer of 90s dance hit "Crush") was still releasing music. Well...I take that back. Her albums are all available on iTunes but I think just as a courtesy to her fans. She's been quietly releasing albums in Germany, Italy and elsewhere in Europe. I was more curious than anything else, hence this obscure purchase.

Does 'Takin' Back My Love' Have International Hit Potential?

Photos from Sarah Connor, Enrique Iglesias & Ciara's Official Sites

We're all under the assumption that record labels know what sells in different international markets. They must have analysts in their payroll that study the international music charts and radio play statistics. Sometimes the labels take calculated risks at releasing an album that does well in one country, into another country. It either pays off or it doesn't.

Photos from Natasha Bedingfield's Official Site & Kelly Clarkson's Official MySpace

Take Kelly Clarkson for instance. The first American Idol winner. While her debut album wasn't initially released in the UK, her follow up album was, banking on the strength of the first single "Since U Been Gone." That risk payed off and now Clarkson is an international superstar. Same with UK artist Natasha Bedingfield, who had solid albums with solid sales in the UK. Her success continued with her U.S. release (although it started out rocky).

Photos from Sarah Connor's Official Site & Emma Bunton's Official MySpace

On the opposite end of the spectrum, look at former Spice Girl Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) or German pop singer Sarah Connor. Both artists had relatively high amounts of success in their respective countries, but when they released their debut U.S. albums, both floundered. While there's something to be said for promotion, it was a calculated risk to release these international albums stateside. There's always a hope that a foreign artist will have crossover success in the international market but that's not always the case.

Single Artwork Courtesy of Coverlandia

Enrique Iglesias - Takin' Back My Love

This is when labels get creative. Take international pop star Enrique Iglesias, who released his English language Greatest Hits album in November. The album contains 14 of the artists big singles as well as 3 new tracks. "Takin' Back My Love" is one of those new tracks and is the second single off the album. To succeed internationally, the label recorded multiple versions of the track to appeal to different audiences. American R&B singer Ciara recorded vocals for the single's U.S. release, while German singer Sarah Connor recorded vocals (in English) for the German release of the single.

Overall, both vocalists do alright in their respective versions. Ciara, not known for her impressive vocal range adequately sings throughout the track, oozing sex appeal the whole way through. Sarah Connor, known for having a more power voice, takes things down a notch to match the song's up-tempo electro-pop beats. The Red One-produced song isn't anything new or different, but it's certainly growing on me the more I listen to it. I just find this international re-tooling interesting and something worth exploring.