RollnSmokeRecords Presents: Smokin' New Covers of Great Old Songs ...

1. “Don’t Stop the Music” – (Rihanna) -- Jamie Cullum [3-2-2010] With jazz-infused piano and cool percussions, Brit jazz musician covers R&B songstress.

2. “Armada Latina” – (CSNY) -- Cypress Hill featuring Marc Antony and Pitbull [3-2-2010). A remix of the cult 70’s hippy classic with a twist of hip-hop and a dash of south of the border fiesta.

3. “Your Love” – (Annie Lennox) – Nicki Minaj [2-8-2010] Emerging R&B duet mistress uses sing the backbeat and refrain to Annie Lennox’s song “No More I Love You’s,” as the backbone of this pop rap track.

4. “Don’t Stop the Music” – [Rihanna] -- The Bird and the Bee [un-released]. An eerie cover of the R&B original against an atmospheric backdrop.

5. “Under Pressure” – (David Bowie) – Jedward [1-31-2010]. Irish teen duo (and identical twins) mix Vanilla Ice with Bowie for their own pop take on the 80’s classic.

6. “Apologize” – (One Republic) – Silverstein [3-10-09]. A concise punk-rock version with heavy electric guitar, which may surpass the pop original.

7. “We are the World 25” – [2-12-2010]. 25 years after the original was released, Lionel and Quincy pair up to produce another star-studded, Disney-ish version with pixie dust to benefit Haiti.

8. “Use Somebody” – (Kings of Leon) -- Pixie Lott [1-27-2010]. Young, emerging British siren covers already fantastic song in lovely acoustic ballad.

9. “Dream a Little Dream of Me” – (Louis Armstrong) – Michael Buble [2-1-2010]. Canadian Crooner is a natural for covering any and all swing classics.

10. “Ordinary World” – (Duran Duran) – Red [2-10-10]. An intriguing rock cover of the 80’s original.

11. “Party in the USA” Remix – (Miley Cyrus) -- Notorious B.I.G. (un-released). An unlikely cocktail of girly-q pop and hard-core old school rap.

12. “United States of Pop 2009” – (Jay Sean and Lil Wayne) -- DJ Earworm [un-released]. A clever musical collage of hugely popular hits from 2009, set primarily to the pop song “Down.”

13. “You're All I Need To Get By” – (Aretha Franklin) – Mark Ronson and Wale. With old-school R&B in mind, this duet pulls off a unique version of the classic with contemporary, well-produced groove.

14. “Whatever You Like” – [T.I.] -- Anya Marina [7-7-09]. The multi-talented and breathy songstress from Ann Arbor, Michigan, (Go Blue!) covers T.I. with requisite R&B aplomb.

15. “Sun is Shining” – (Bob Marley) – Bebel Gilberto [9-29-09]. A sexy cover of Bob Marley’s classic – ½ Portuguese and ½ English -- by Brazilian beauty descended from fine musical bloodline.

16. “Hot Like Fire” – [Aaliyah] – the XX [8-16-09]. Four pouty kids out of South London present spare, indie band chops -- on this track, covering Aaliyah -- off hyper-stylish debut album.

17. “Crossroads” – [Robert Johnson] – John Mayer [11-10-09]. Spare with percussion, back bass and electric guitar solos – with a dash of vocal duet -- and you’ve got a funked-up version of the rock original.

18. “Heartless” – [Kanye] – Kris Allen [11-17-09]. American Idol from Arkansas covers Kanye’s dramatic track with guitar riffs and a pop sensibility.

19. “Take a Bow” -- [Rihanna] – Glee Cast [9-29-09]. Less soulful and slightly teeny-bopper with choir-like back-up, Glee tackles another pop cover.

20. “Gold Digger” – [Kanye West] – Glee Cast [9-18-09]. Lead, Kanye-esque hip-hopper teams up with Harlem Church choir who are clapping and soulful background support.

21. “I’m Going Down” – (Bruce Springsteen) – Florence and the Machine featuring Kid Harpoon. An original approach to classic rock gem with two clear, old school voices, a guitar and a strong, snappy refrain.

22. “Beautiful” – (Christina Aguilera) – The Lemonheads [6-23-09]. Lead vocalist Evan Dando puts out an album of covers including this unlikely cover of pop star Christina Aguilera ‘s smash hit earlier this millennium done with plain guitar and (male) vocals.

23. “Major Tom” – (David Bowie) -- Shiny Toy Guns [5-5-09]. A contemporary, sythn-pop electro-clash version of the David Bowie original from alternative group out of California.

24. “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey -- Glee Cast [5-19-09]. Just when you thought nothing could get cheesier than the orginal, think glee club and lip-synching in the shower, unlocking the inner geek in all of us.

25. “Heartless” – (Kanye West) -- The Fray [4-7-09]. A more dramatic alt-indie cover by Denver-based band of the pop hip-hop smash hit from last summer.

26. “Might Like You Better” – (Romeo Void) -- Amanda Blank. Philly MC launches her own tech-heavy, stripped down version of 80’s hit.

27. “Love Vigilantes” – (New Order) – Iron and Wine [5-19-09]. A plain, acoustic, folk-version of the early-90’s cult classic.

28. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” – (The Beatles) – Easy Star All-Stars [4-14-09]. Done reggae-style, gets you sining right along. Ya. Mon.

… The Following Tracks are Among the Best NEW COVERS but are currently unavailable on Playlist.com. Still worth checking out!...

1. “White Rabbit” – Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (3-2-2010). As part of the new ALMOST ALICE soundtrack, this version of the 70’s hippy-druggie classic is down with less rock and features clear, bright vocals and a trippy close.

2. “She Got it Good” – [Rupert Holmes] -- Plies [to be released]. An unexpected re-mix of “If You Like Pina Coladas” that overwrites a 70’s pop icon with edgy, contemporary rap.

3. “I Can’t Go for That” -- (Hall & Oates) – The Bird and the Bea [3-23-2010]. Among nine other covers of the 70’s and 80’s popular duo classics, Inara George puts her wispy voice to use, and this one emerges as the best.

4. “You’re My Best Friend” [Queen] Straight No Chaser [to be released]. A sweet, a cappella version of the stadium-worthy 70’s classic hit.

5. “Redemption Day” – (Sheryl Crow) -- Johnny Cash [2-27-2010]. From his final album produced by Rick Rubins, this cover has a gritty, spooky spirituality to it.

6. “Let it Be” – (The Beatles) -- Jennifer Hudson off HOPE FOR HAITI NOW [1-22-2010]. You can feel the tight emotion behind this heart-felt cover of the classic anthem of the wounded-hearted.

7. “Hard Times Come Again No More” – Civil War spiritual – Mary J. Blige off HOPE FOR HAITI NOW [1-22-2010]. A fearless and powerful voice accompanied by quiet piano with little organ thrown in and some snapping.

8. “Redemption Song’ – (Bob Marley) – John Legend. Off the holiday release of Starbuck’s ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE soundtrack, John Lgend covers Bob Marley with soul and background grooves that would make Bob smile. Ya, mon.

9. “Move on Up” – (Curtis Mayfield) – Anjelique Kidjo and John Legend [due in March]. A soulful duet groove with African drums and back-up vocals for texture.

10. “Redemption Song” – (Bob Marley) – Rihanna [1-19-2010]. Featuring her singular and soulful voice, this island siren covers Marley with pride and for Haiti relief.

11. “I Get Paper” – (Suzanne Vega) -- Kevin Cossom and Drake []. Suzanne Vega’s memorable indie-rock hook is updated and transformed by hip-hop duet.

12. “You Gotta Fight for Your Right” (Beastie Boys) and “Love is the Drug” (Roxy Music) – The Hot Rats [1-19-10]. From a Supergrass all-covers side project these covers come off sounding like Who rock ballads.

13. “What You Do for Love” – [Bobby Caldwell] – Cleer. Contemporary hip-hopper from Ontario, California, covers 70’s pop soul track.

14. “All By Myself” – [Eric Carmen] – Sheryl Crow [11-17-09]. Sheryl Crow covers this inconic 70’s pop rock tune with typical gusto.