You'd think it would be difficult to forget about an R&B group like Jagged Edge. Each of the quartet's albums has shipped gold or better, and urban classics like "Where the Party At?" and "Let's Get Married" highlight its song catalog. In mid-May its self-titled new album effortlessly debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard album charts, despite scant press, promotion or a big radio single.
Jagged Edge is more of what the foursome's fans know and love: lots of love ballads and a few club party tracks. The album's highlight is "Seasons Change," a lovely slow jam featuring John Legend. "One thing about Jagged Edge is we never veer too far from what our fans love us for. There's a core group of fans out there that buy Jagged Edge records no matter what," says Brandon Casey, who writes most of Jagged Edge's material with twin brother Brian Casey. Kyle Norman and Richard Wingo are the other two members in the group.
One difference between Jagged Edge and the group's prior works, however, is that it produced most of the album itself instead of relying on outside help (although longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri contributes two tracks, "So High" and "So Amazing"). "Now," says Casey, "we can make a whole album with just the four members of the group. You put us in a room with a drum machine and a keyboard and we can make an album.
"We're not as good as some artists when it comes to self-promotion," he adds. "But we are totally confident in our music. ... We go so hard on the music that it doesn't leave much room for much else."
RANDOM NEWS: Two Atlanta-area artists picked up trophies at the 41st annual Academy of Country Music Awards held Tues., May 23. Sugarland won for New Duo/Group of the Year, and Macon native Jason Aldean won for New Male Vocalist of the Year. Congratulations to both. ... At the 2006 BMI Pop Awards held Tues., May 16, Lil Jon was named Songwriter of the Year, and Jazze Pha earned Internet Song of the Year for his work on Ciara's "1, 2 Step." ... T.I. announced that he is co-executive producing New Orleans rap star B.G.'s new album. ... According to a news report in the Associated Press, Ludacris is being sued over his 2003 hit "Stand Up." A New Jersey group called I.O.F. claims it sent copies of its single "Straight Like That" to Ludacris, and that he and the song's producer, Kanye West, allegedly lifted elements from that song to create "Stand Up." The civil suit is currently underway in Manhattan, N.Y.'s U.S. District Court. ... "Guit-Art!," a new exhibit featuring Gretsch guitars embellished by local students and bands like Widespread Panic and Collective Soul, opens at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Fri., June 2. ... Lifestyle car manufacturer Scion is calling for entries for its "King of the Beats" contest, the latest in a series of music-themed events it sponsors. Local hip-hop producers can register at www.scion.com/kingofthebeats. The deadline is July 30.
CD RELEASES AND ANNIVERSARIES: Emo punk troupe Ann Bolynn throws a party for its EP Fri., June 2, at the Masquerade. The Silent Escape, the Radio Fix and Vaya open. ... Garage rockers Tiger! Tiger! issues its Chicken Ranch EP via a Sat., June 3, concert, art show and video screening at the Earl. Also performing are All Night Drug Prowling Wolves. ... Hip-hop stalwart Collective Efforts celebrates its Medicine album Sat., June 3, at the Loft. Special guests include Up Until Now and David Murphy from Sound Tribe Sector Nine and the night's DJs are DJ Variable and Captain Mudfish. ... Hard rock favorite Artimus Pyledriver promotes its self-titled album with a Sat., June 3, gig at Star Bar. Valient Thorr opens. ... Venerable vinyl shop Wax 'N Facts celebrates 30 years of business in Little Five Points with a Sun., June 4, party at the Variety Playhouse. The acts on the bill are the Swimming Pool Qs, the Selmanaires, Anna Kramer, the Good Friday Experiment, the Carbonas, Tiger! Tiger!, and the Return of Vietnam.
