1. Set Fire To The Rain – Adele
2. We Found Love – Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
3. Good Feeling – Flo Rida
4. Turn Me On – David Guetta featuring Nicki Minaj
5. The One That Got Away – Katy Perry
6. It Will Rain – Bruno Mars
7. Sexy And I Know It – LMFAO
8. Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
9. Ni**as In Paris – Jay-Z and Kanye West
10. Domino – Jessie J

The Kidz Bop 21 compilation album debuts at number two, selling 59,000 copies in its first week of release. Black Keys’ El Camino holds steady at number three, selling 29,000 copies (which is a 20% decrease in sales).

Drake’s Take Care holds steady at number four, selling 29,000 copies; this is an 8% decrease in sales. Rihanna’s Talk That Talk moves up two spots to number five, selling 20,000 copies; however, this is an 8% decrease in sales from last week.

Young Jeezy’s TM 103 Hustlerz Ambition holds steady at number six, selling 19,000 copies; this is a 19% decrease in sales. James Fortune & FIYA’s Identity debuts at number seven, selling 18,000 copies in its first week of release.

Toby Keith’s Clancy’s Tavern moves up fourteen spots to number eight, selling 17,000 copies (which is a 27% increase in sales from last week). Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto moves up down one spot to number nine, selling 17,000 copies; this is a 13% decrease in sales. Nickelback’s Here and Now falls one spot to number ten, selling just under 17,000 copies, which is a 13% decrease in sales from last week.

This week’s album sales (5.01 million units) are down 1% compared to last week, and down 4% compared to the same week last year.

Madonna released the Something to Remember greatest hits album on November 7, 1995. The concept behind this greatest hits package was that it only featured ballads, rather than being a set that encompassed all of Madonna’s hits. Of the fourteen songs on the album, two were recorded specifically for this release, one was from a tribute album Madonna had contributed to earlier that year, one was a remix of one of the new songs, and the last track was a new mix of a non-single that originally came from the Like a Virgin album. I bought this album when it originally came out, and at that time, there was no back insert included. In order to know what songs were on the disc and in what order, you had to take out the CD booklet; that was the one major drawback of this release for me. Later pressings of the album would rectify this flaw.

The album opens with “I Want You,” a cover of a song originally done by Marvin Gaye. Madonna collaborated with Massive Attack from this track, which originally appeared on Inner City Blues: The Music of Marvin Gaye. This is the longest song on the album, and the length is a little bit of a detriment, especially with the plodding sound of the music. It’s not necessarily a bad version of “I Want You,” but I think it would have been stronger if it was a little shorter in length.

Next is “I’ll Remember,” which was originally released on the soundtrack for the 1994 film, With Honors; this song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This is followed by “Take a Bow,” which was the second single from Madonna’s 1994 album, Bedtime Story. This song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The next song on Something to Remember is “You’ll See,” which was one of the two new songs specifically recorded for the album. The song was released as the first single from the album, and it peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This particular ballad is definitely a breakup song, and it tells of someone who has moved on from a relationship that included deception on the part of the other person. Sonically, this song has a “heavy” sound to it, which really adds to the impact of the lyrics. One thing I really like about the composition of this song is how it builds in intensity.

This is followed by “Crazy for You,” which was originally released on the soundtrack for the 1985 film, Vision Quest. This song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The next song on this collection is “This Used to Be My Playground,” which was the theme song from the 1992 film, A League of Their Own; this song also peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. “Live to Tell” is the next song on the album, which was recorded for the film At Short Range, and then was included on Madonna’s True Blue album. This is another song Madonna took to number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

The next song is a remix of “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” which is a cover of a Rose Royce song that Madonna recorded for her 1984 album, Like a Virgin. However, when Madonna’s label decided to include this song on Something to Remember, it was decided to put on a remixed version instead of the original track. Personally, I feel that this remix weakens the song; the new instrumentation diminishes Madonna’s powerful vocal performance, especially at the end of the song. For whatever reason, this remix was promoted as a single from Something to Remember; however, the single only peaked at number seventy-eight on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Something to Remember,” the title song for the collection, originally came from the I’m Breathless album Madonna released in 1990; however, this song was never actually released as single from that album. This is followed by “Forbidden Love,” which is from the Bedtime Stories album. This is another song on this greatest hits album that was never actually released as a single.

“One More Chance” is the second new song recorded specifically for this release. It’s a very simple song that features Madonna and stripped back instrumentation. Lyrically, the song is about wanting another chance for a relationship. While this was released as a single in foreign markets, it was not released in the United States. Personally, I feel this song would have fared better on the charts than the remix of “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.”

“Rain” is next, and it originally came from Madonna’s 1992 album, Erotica; this song peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Oh Father” originally comes from Madonna’s 1989 album, Like a Prayer; this song peaked at number twenty on the Billboard singles chart. Something to Remember closes with an orchestral mix of “I Want You.” Personally, I prefer this version of “I Want You”; removing the plodding instrumentation and replacing it with an orchestral backing track really adds something to this song. If I listen to “I Want You,” I tend to listen to this mix over the original.

Overall, Something to Remember is a nice set, especially for listeners who enjoy Madonna’s ballads. However, I’ve never really understood the sequencing of the album. It’s always kind of felt like the songs were randomly thrown together onto the set, except for “I Want You,” which was used to bookend the release. Even with the sequencing, I would still recommend Something to Remember as a release to own if a listener enjoys Madonna and her ballads.

Bhi Bhiman – Bhiman
Big Deal – Lights Out
Celtic Woman – Believe
Chairlift – Something
Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan
Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory
Joe Cocker – Hard Knocks
The Darcys – AJA [MP3 Download]
Dion – Tank Full Of Blues
Elizaveta – Beatrix Runs
Craig Finn – Clear Heart Full Eyes
First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar
Foxy Shazam – The Church of Rock and Roll
Laura Gibson – Le Grande
Graffiti6 – Colours
iCarly: iSoundtrack II- Music From And Inspired By The Hit TV Show
Kari Jobe – Where I Find You
Lacuna Coil – Dark Adrenaline
Lamb of God – Resolution
Tim McGraw – Emotional Traffic
Ingrid Michaelson – Human Again
moe. – What Happened To The La Las
Nada Surf – The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy
Nothnegal – Decadence
Kellie Pickler – 100 Proof
Pop. 1280 – Horror
Primal Fear – Unbreakable
Rodrigo y Gabriela – Area 52
Royal Bliss – Waiting Out The Storm [MP3 Download]
John K. Samson – Provincial
Scorpions – Comeblack
Seal – Soul 2
Martin Sexton – Fall Like Rain [EP]
Skrillex – Bangarang [EP]
Stew & the Negro Problem – Making It
2012 GRAMMY Nominees
Jason Urick – I Love You
Grace Woodroofe – Always Want
WOW Gospel 2012
Xray Eyeballs – Splendor Squalor
You Me At Six – Sinners Never Sleep

Prior to the shooting, Riley had been shot in August 2011 and was stabbed in September. Police have no motives and have not arrested anyone.

In his teen years, Riley founded the group The Techniques. Over the years, he worked with such artists as Dave Barker, Ansell Collins, Gregory Isaacs, Johnny Osbourne, Tenor Saw, Sister Nancy and Buju Banton.

Riley is also credited with creating the stalag rhythm, which went on to influence hip-hop and dancehall.

Winston Riley is survived by several children and grandchildren.

Etta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles. She started out as a gospel singer in her church choir, but she would move away from gospel and start performing rhythm and blues. She was discovered by Johnny Otis in the early 1950s when she was singing on San Francisco street corners with some girlfriends. The first song she performed on was “Roll With Me, Henry,” which was an answer song to Hank Ballard and the Midnighters’ “Work With Me, Annie.”

After debuting in 1995, James toured with Otis’ revue. In 1959, she signed with the Chess label and putting out hits: “Trust In Me,” “Something’s Got a Hold On Me,” “Sunday Kind of Love,” “All I Could Do WasCry,” and her best-known song, “At Last.” James also toured with such performers as Bobby Vinton, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis and the Everly Brothers.

Unfortunately, James started experimenting with drugs in 1960. Her addictions led to time behind bars and almost destroyed her career. She eventually kicked her drug habit, and tried to resurrect her career. Unfortunately, she became addicted to painkillers in the late 1980s.

James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, won several Grammy awards in the 1990s and 2000s, and even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Otis was born John Alexander Veliotes on December 28, 1921 in Vallejo, California. He began his career as a drummer in 1939. In 1945, he formed a 16-piece band and recorded his first hit, “Harlem Nocturne.” As big bands fell out of fashion, Otis stripped his ensemble down to just a few horns and a rhythm section and stepped out into the emerging rhythm and blues scene.

From 1950 to 1952, Otis had 15 singles on Billboard‘s rhythm and blues Top 40. One of these hits was “Double Crossing Blues,” which was number one on that chart for nine weeks. He also has a top ten pop hit in 1958 with his composition “Willie and the Hand Jive,” which was later covered by Eric Clapton and other artists. In 1961, his composition “Every Beat of My Heart” became a top ten hit for Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Otis also helped steer a number of performers to stardom; this list includes Etta James, Jackie Wilson, Esther Phillips, and Big Mama Thornton. Otis produced Big Mama Thornton’s recording of “Hound Dog” in 1952, which was four years before Elvis Presley’s famous rendition.

As a musician, Otis can be heard of Johnny Ace’s “Pledging My Love,” Charles Brown’s “Drifting Blues,” as well as on jazz recordings by Lester Young and Illinois Jacquet.

Otis was also a disc jockey, a political activist, a preacher, an artist, and an organic farmer. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Johnny Otis is survived by his wife of 70 years, the former Phyllis Walker; his sons John Jr. and Nick; his daughters, Janice Johnson and Laura Johnson; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

1. We Found Love – Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
2. Set Fire To The Rain – Adele
3. Good Feeling – Flo Rida
4. It Will Rain – Bruno Mars
5. Sexy And I Know It – LMFAO
6. The One That Got Away – Katy Perry
7. Ni**as In Paris – Jay-Z and Kanye West
8. Rack City – Tyga
9. Young, Wild & Free – Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa featuring Bruno Mars
10. Turn Me On – David Guetta featuring Nicki Minaj

David Crowder Band’s Give Us Rest debuts at number two, selling 50,000 copies in its first week of release. The Black Keys’ El Camino holds steady at number three, selling 36,000 copies (which is a 13% decrease in sales).

Drake’s Take Care falls two spots to number four, selling 32,000 copies; this is a 25% decrease in sales from last week. Snow Patrol’s Fallen Empires debuts at number five, selling 31,000 copies in its first week of release.

Young Jeezy’s TM 103 Hustlerz Ambition falls two spots to number six, selling 24,000 copies (which is a 33% decrease in sales). Rihanna’s Talk That Talk falls one spot to number seven, selling 22,000 copies; this is a 20% decrease in sales from last week.

Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto falls three spots to number eight, selling 20,000 copies (which is a 30% decrease in sales). Nickelback’s Here and Now re-enters the top ten at number nine, selling 19,000 copies; however, this is a 18% decrease in sales from last week. The Now That’s What I Call Music Vol. 40 compilation album falls one spot to number ten, selling 17,000 copies (which is a 28% decrease in sales).

This week’s album sales (5.10 million units) is down 12% compared to last week, but up 6% compared to the same week last year.

Help! was the fifth British and ninth American album by The Beatles, and it was also the soundtrack for the film of the same name. The album was released on August 6, 1965. When the album was reissued on CD in 1987, the British tracklist of the album was used instead of the American tracklist. On the British version, the first seven songs on the CD actually appear in the film, while the remaining seven were tacked on to turn the soundtrack into a complete album.

Help! opens with the title song, which was also released as a single from the album. In interviews, John Lennon has said the lyrics express the stress he felt after the band had such a quick rise to success. It’s an upbeat song that has the pop sound you would associate with the mid-1960s, and it’s one of the songs by The Beatles that I really enjoy. This is followed by “The Night Before,” which was written by Paul McCartney. Lyrically, there is a call and response structure to the song.

Next on Help! is “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away,” which was written by John Lennon. Vocally, Lennon sounds as if he’s trying to emulate Bob Dylan’s style. Musically, the song features a tambourine, maracas, tenor, and alto flutes, in addition to the regular instruments that the Beatles would use. This is followed by “I Need You,” which was written by George Harrison. It is suspected that the lyrics of the song are about George Harrison and Pattie Boyd. This song also represents George’s first recorded use of a volume pedal.

“Another Girl” was written by Paul McCartney. It’s an uptempo song with an influence from blues music, and the vocals employ close three-part harmonies. Next is “You’re Going to Lose That Girl,” which was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. It was the last song recorded for the film, and the speaker tells a friend that if he doesn’t treat his girl right, that he will try to take her away from him. Musically, there are doo-wop influences. “Ticket to Ride” is the last song from Help! to appear on the album, and it was released as a single. The song was primarily written by John Lennon. The actual meaning of “Ticket to Ride” has never been entirely clear, and several theories have been offered. “Ticket to Ride” is another song from Help! that I have enjoyed over the years.

“Act Naturally” is a cover song, and it was recorded by Ringo Starr; it was released as the B-side to the “Yesterday” single. It’s an upbeat song, and it’s another song on the CD that I enjoy listening to. This is followed by “It’s Only Love,” which was written by John Lennon. It’s a slower song that clocks in at slightly under two minutes. In my opinion, while it’s not a bad song, it’s also not one of the stronger songs that The Beatles have recorded.

“You Like Me Too Much” was written by George Harrison. Musically, the song features both a piano and an electric piano. Overall, it has more of a “typical” Beatles sound that listeners at the time would have associated with the band. “Tell Me What You See” was written by both John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Musically, it’s a song that starts to foreshadow the sound of the next couple of albums, Rubber Soul and Revolver. The listener can hear some folk influence in the music as well. Lyrically, the song is a little more mature and reflective than on the compositions of previous albums. This is followed by “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” which was written by Paul McCartney. Musically, it’s one of only a few Beatles songs that does not have a bass track. It’s also more of a country and western feel than a listener would normally associate with The Beatles.

“Yesterday” is next on Help!, and it’s one of my favorite songs by The Beatles. It’s a melancholy ballad that is about the breakup of a relationship. The song features Paul McCartney accompanied by a string quartet. The final song on the album is “Dizzy Miss Lizzie,” which was another cover song the band recorded for this album. It’s a very uptempo number, and it even features Ringo Starr playing a cowbell.

Overall, there’s a lot of good material on Help! However, it can be hard to truly judge the album as one whole work, since only the first half of the album was recorded with the intent of being part of a whole unit. Even with that dynamic, it’s still an enjoyable album to listen to.