Rhythm nation report, mid-year 2006

When it comes to the world of R ’n B, the name Pharrell Williams is synonymous with King Midas. As producer and songwriter, he has come up with the goods time and time again, extending his golden touch to a whole slew of artists, including Britney Spears, Nelly and N’ Sync. His new solo album, In My Mind, is finally out. At first glance, Cassie may look and sound like she’s just the latest version of a Beyoncé "trying to look and sound-alike" contest, but surprise, surprise, she is actually half-Filipina, and if only for that reason alone, deserves our second, even third listen. She even has Puff Daddy and Poppa Tommy rooting in her corner.

Pharrell – In My Mind (EMI)

After his golden track record as producer, composer and performer (the Neptunes and NERD), one would expect Pharrell’s CD to be chockful of cameos, guestings and collaborations. Thankfully, there’s no will.i.am on this CD, and the guest artists are kept to a little less than half of the tracks. We find Kanye West, Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Slim Thug and Nelly among the roster of R ’n B and hip-hop luminaries who sign up for Pharrell’s 2006 "mind games."

With his falsetto, Pharrell has never been more than an average singer and rapper. It’s his work as a tunesmith, and knowing how to execute within the limits of his voice that has kept him in good stead as a performer. On one track, Our Father, he even croons Jesus is my playa and that had me wondering just how much "street cred" that would carry with your basic R ’n B audience, but who knows? Maybe he really is a nerd at heart, and it’s all part of what endears him to his fans.

With half of the cuts carrying a more R ’n B flavor – ok, flava – and the other half with more hip-hop provenance, one can discern just how adept Pharrell is in providing for his broad spectrum of an audience. There’s nary a misstep, and as long as you’ve enjoyed Pharrell with whatever hat he has put on, In My Mind will enjoy regular play on your CD player.

Cassie (Warner Music)

You have Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs as your producer, and have the famous Tommy Mottola singing your praises, and one wonders how Cassie can miss. Cassie Ventura is half-Filipina according to the publicity material, and this is no Jasmine Trias amateur singing contest wannabe, but a bona fide major recording company all-out Push. The carrier single Me & U has already been getting regular play on MTV and MYX, after having scored in the US as a hot summer track on the R ’n B charts.

This is a very polished and savvy CD, covering up for a voice that’s competent, but not outstanding. There’s lush production values, and at times, the voice is passed through a synthesizer (ala Cher). The track Long Way To Go has that slow burn trick of mixing singing with pa-seductive spoken lines. There’s really deft guitar work on Not With You, and the following track, Ditto, is so radio-friendly you’d swear it was a remake!

In fact, as with the song Miss Your Touch, there’s that uncanny feeling that you’ve heard it all before – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as familiarity can mean immediate broad, mainstream acceptance. I’ve seen the video, and frankly I felt so much more could have been done. But if this time next year, Cassie is a household name, chalk that up to Puff Daddy and Poppa Tommy still having what it takes to push someone to the top of the heap. Me, I am just waiting for the hype that will accompany Cassie’s Going Back Home Manila promo tour.