Ruben Studdard: New Album Drops May 19, Listen to the Single “Together”

By On 02/19/2009 · 9 Comments · In Uncategorized

According to Zap2it.com:

American Idol season 2 winner Ruben Studdard has a new album coming out May 19th titled “Love Is.” The first single, a romantic ballad called “Together,” is available streaming online and will be available for download on March 17th. To listen to the song on Windows Media Player, click here. To listen on Real Player, click here. Studdard is also currently touring in a production of “Ain’t Misbehavin.’”

The song, an R&B ballad is Ruben’s typical syrupy fair.   It’s not for me, but he’s had some success with ballads, so this one might do OK.

Hm. According to Ruben’s My Space, his album is being released via Hickory Records and 19R.   Hickory Records is Elliott Yamin’s independent label. It appears that Ruben’s record will be distributed through Sony/ATV.   Interesting!

  • Listen to “Together” on Windows Media Player,   here. or Real Player, here.

 
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  • Suzanne

    Okay–I do not like it. However, with that mind-numbingly overpowering base track and the short notes and all the runs, I can imagine it on the radio. And–you know–if Jennifer Hudson’s CD Spotlight is really the best R&B album in 2008, this is definitely a competitive sound in that type of music.

    To me, it seems like Ruben’s trying something that he likes but with more of a radio friendliness. Fair enough.

    Very interesting about the company affiliations there. 19 and Hickory in cooperation. Maybe good for Elliott too.

  • tinawina

    Its pretty I guess. I will not be buying it though. Good luck to him!

  • abbysee

    I like it. But I am biased. I love Ruben and his voice. His stuff has always been radio friendly. He’s had no problem with radio. This is a more grown up Ruben, he’s not trying to play the hip-hop game and for me, that’s just smart. That is not why people voted for him.

  • LaRue

    I like it. As abbysee mentioned, this is a depature from trying to cater to the hip-hop masses, which isn’t Ruben’s strong suit.

    A lot of R&B artists–Ne-Yo, John Legend, Jaszmin Sullivan–have created songs with a similiar palette. Ruben is going with the current trend that’s being played on radio today. He should fit in well with current modern soul songs that sometimes break into the AC/Top 40 market.

    I think the song has what it takes to compete. At the least, it seems that Ruben’s record company/PR team is looking the song a strong push. So here’s wishing Ruben the best with the new album!

  • http://stores.ebay.com/BookWomanBlues-Book-Nook Bobbi

    Not my cuppa, but I like Ruben and really hope he does well with this!

  • http://huckleberryfriend.wordpress.com/ huckleberryfriend

    Ruben is capable of so much better than this.

  • ShariG

    I’ve always loved Ruben’s voice. I wish he would go back to the more gospel type song when his voice can really soar. He just isn’t a hip hop artist to me. But, I really wish him well. I want more Flying Without Wings sound.

  • jpfan

    There’s an interesting interview with the President of Sony/ATV where he talks about the Hickory label on HDD.

    http://hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news07463m01

    “With Hickory Records, youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve started a label. Will music publishers continue to get more involved in artist development?
    Weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re doing it because we recognize plenty of opportunities for us to distribute records through companies like RED. We were very successful with Elliott Yamin. We sold nearly 700k albums. Weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re now about to work with Ruben Studdard. We have to pick and choose the artists we want to be involved with. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s all about someone whoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s recognized and can sing great songs. We donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t need to sell millions of albums because we own all the songs. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a win-win for us as well as the artist. The deal model makes them a full partner. We split the profits after recouping”

  • shell29

    Sounds like a nice fit for Ruben at Hickory. I wish him the best!