After 10 years, this marks my final issue as Single Reviews Editor at Billboard magazine. It has been a signature for me for a good long time. I surrender with humility, but will certainly miss the role.
EMREOnly Yesterday (2:43)
Producer: Ayhan Sahin
Writers: R. Dean, A. Sahin, E. Yilmaz
Publisher: Young Pals, BMI
Young Pals Music
Emre Yilmaz discovered his musical muse as a guitarist at age 10, relocating from his native Turkey to study in the United States as a teen at Michigan's prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy, then graduating from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. Today, the New Yorker is a master of musical largess, as a singer, songwriter, classical guitarist and sought-after live performer, including regular flamenco jazz fusion gigs with noted Blue Note guitarist Spiros Exaras. His solo "Only Yesterday" is a perfectly timed, consummate graduation day anthem, co-written and arranged with producer and fellow Turk Ayhan Sahin. Emre sings: "Seems like only yesterday, we met each other, found our way/Life it happens, we all change/A new day has come, turn the page." He not only serenades the masses entering a new phase of life but showcases acoustic guitars, with electric guitars courtesy of Billy Joel bandmate Dennis DelGaudio. Emre's international catalog is well-established; now this suave, handsome talent has the ultimate showcase to become one of the year's most auspicious breakouts. For info: oemreyilmaz@gmail.com.—CT
R&B/HIP-HOPJENNIFER HUDSON FEATURING LUDACRISPocketbook (3:19)
Producers: Timbaland, Jim Beanz
Writers: various
Arista
Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson proved a consummate vocalist with the hit singles "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from "Dreamgirls" and "Spotlight." Talk about a 360-degree turn: "Pocketbook" subs knack for novelty. Ludacris' opening rap is just plain juvenile, while Hudson threatens to smack suitors with her pocketbook. Co-producer Timbaland relegates Hudson into a curiously supplemental role in her own song. We're all for the singer stretching herself stylistically, but not at the expense of her sophistication. Let's make a deal: Let the next Hudson single be the stunning Robin Thicke composition "Giving Myself" and all will be forgiven.—CT
CHRISTIANMERCYME
Finally Home (3:11)
Producer: Brown Bannister
Writers: MercyMe
INO/Columbia
Christian mainstay MercyMe has scored eight No. 1s, in addition to a Grammy Award nod and seven Dove Awards. But the sextet also extended its success to country and AC, with "I Can Only Imagine." "Finally Home," from the group's decade retrospective CD/DVD "10," is a midtempo guitar-driven ode to meeting the maker. Christian AC has already offered its approval and though thematically it's genre-specific, lead singer Bart Millard's beautiful harmonies accompanying a singalong chorus and country radio's wholesome persona open the doors to acceptance there. Overall, a fine contender to further this established band's brand.—CT
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