Sinitta's Lunchbox

Hi guys. It's Snit here. Sorry for my lack of posts. The X-Factor has been keeping me very busy. It's hard work sitting next to Simon Cowell wearing no clothes and saying next to nothing. Then of course I have been involved in the styling of the groups - Simon's category for this years X-Factor. It's nice to know my unique sense of style has finally been recognised !

As you can imagine, all this work means I have been more reliant on my lunch-box than ever - those boy-bands have been keeping my box full!

Here's some of the tempting delights that have been floating my boat in recent weeks:

(1) The Journey - aka the cute boy-band that almost made it through to the X-Factor live shows. Apparently they are not a polished, rehearsed and contriveed boy band - they really are plumbers, electricians and dustbin men.

(2) Yorkshire pudding - my favourite food. Hot. Cold. Any which way.

(3) Fans - a girl can never have enough fans to keep her cool. I have many in different colours to match my lack of clothing!

(4) Nadine vs. Cheryl - as a member of the X-Factor alumni and someone who knows Cheryl well, you can guess why my loyalties lie? That's right - I'm backing Nadine Coyle all the way:



(5) Half a Crispy Peeking Duck

(6) Mary Byrne's Tesco Clubcard (I need the points for my Aunt Bessies')

(7) The upcoming spectacular that is 'Burlesque'. Christina Aguilera and Cher star in this all singing, all dancing movie spectacular. I was of course offered the lead ahead of Xtina but had to turn it down due to my X-Factor commitments. There's a fab soundtrack accompanying the film too, featuring the previously retired Cher, lending her pipes to a Diane Warren power ballad. What more could a girl want?

The pop star, the hits collection and the lack of wardrobe

It's here. Sinitta's much anticipated hits collection. Good old Snit - her of 'appearing on the 'X-Factor' in strategically placed leaves' fame - even Simon Cowell looked embarrassed. Despite her clothes falling off, Sinitta has churned out some good pop songs over the years and for the first time the original versions (and some rare remixes) have been gathered together.

'The Hits + Collection' is a two CD affair. The first CD concentrates mainly on her 'Fanfare' single releases (although 'Cruising' is conspicuous in it's absence) and also includes some rare tracks (SAW written and produced 'How Can This Be Real Love' and 'Do You Wanna Find Out'), a couple of remixes (Pete Hammond's Hi-NRG remix of 'Body Shopping' offers a sparse alternative to original) and two new recordings 'The Day You Said Goodbye' (very Dannii Minogue) and 'Toy Boy (Reloaded)'.

The second CD features even more exciting stuff, including a great alternative remix of 'Cross My Broken Heart' (deep from the PWL vaults), the Promo 12" Mix of 'Love On A Mountain Top' complete with 'Oh La La' sample and Italo-House vibe and the brilliant original 12" of 'Body Shopping' to name but a few highlights.

All in all a well thought out collection with impressive and extensive album art and notes. Truly one for the fans. My only gripe - where is the brilliant 12" version of 'Lay Me Down Easy'?

Tracklisting as follows and available to order at amazon here:

CD 1
So Macho
Feels Like The First Time
Toy Boy
G.T.O.
Cross My Broken Heart
I Don't Believe In Miracles
Right Back Where We Started From
Love On A Mountain Top
Lay Me Down Easy
Hitchin' A Ride
Love And Affection
Shame Shame Shame
Where Did Our Love Go
How Can This Be Real Love (7" Mix)
Do You Wanna Find Out (12" Mix )
Hitchin' A Ride (PWL 7" Remix)
Body Shopping (Pete Hammond Hi-NRG Remix)
I Don't Believe In Miracles (Merlin's New Hit Mix)
Shame Shame Shame (Alternative 12" Mix)
The Day You Say Goodbye
Toy Boy (Reloaded)

CD 2
Toy Boy (The Original Mix)

G.T.O. (Modina's Red Roaring Mix)
Cross My Broken Heart (12" Euro Remix)
I Don't Believe In Miracles (Club Remix)+
Right Back Where We Started From (Left Back On The Side Mix)
Love On A Mountain Top (Promo 12" Mix)
Hitchin' A Ride (PWL Remix)
How Can This Be Real Love (12" Mix)
Body Shopping (12" Mix)
I Just Wanna Spend Some Time With You (12" Mix)
You Keep Me Hanging On (12" Mix)
The Day You Said Goodbye (Pete Hammond's Empire Strikes Back Mix)

This isn't a comeback ...

So what of Whitney's new album? Amazing comeback or damp squib? Neither really. 'I Look To You' is in pretty safe territory and lets be honest, did we expect any different? Opener 'Million Dollar Bill' is probably the bravest track on the collection. It has a pretty cool retro 70's funk/disco vibe going on and one of those 'sing along y'all ladies' choruses that 'It's Not Right But It's OK' excelled at.

The obligatory ballads are on here. We have already heard the R Kelly penned title track but the one we have been looking forward to is the Foster/Warren collaboration 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength'. Now if I didn't know my own ears, I would have thought Simon Cowell had asked Warren to pen the X-Factor/Idol winners song. I am sorry but it's a bit of a let down and doesn't deliver the greatness anticipated.

Then we have the R&B numbers. There is the pleasant 'Like I Never Left' with Akon and a couple of songs about how wonderful love is and lovers are - 'I know somebody is going to make love to this song tonight' muses Whitters on 'Worth It'. How horribly mawkish, and 'For The Lovers' only fares slightly better.

Moving swiftly on and its time to tick another box. 'Dance Whitney' pulls out all the stops on 'A Song For You'. The dramatic piano lead in, the slow to build intro climaxing in a track that frankly sounds a bit dated by modern dance standards. Not to worry though because the crossover appeal is being fully maximised here and the Freeemasons remix of 'Million Dollar Bill' and a Peter Rauhofer remix of 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength' are already in the public domain (the former is really quite good). After all Houston has to keep her gay fanbase on side too.

The albums closer 'Salute' is a winner. It's the kind of dirt we wanted her to dish on this LP and whether this survivors anthem is about her relationship breakdown with Bobby Brown or not, we are all going to assume it is.

'This isn't a comeback. I have been here for years' muses Whitters on 'Salute' and this sums the album up nicely. We expected a brave comeback album but given the circumstances this was always going to be about easing Houston back into the public consciousness and not pushing the envelope. On this count 'I Look To You' delivers - it is a well produced and nicely polished affair with a couple of moments of brilliance.

1. Million Dollar Bill - *Andy's Ace*
2. Nothin’ But Love
3. Call You Tonight
4. I Look To You
5. Like I Never Left (featuring Akon)
6. A Song For You
7. I Didn’t Know My Own Strength
8. Worth It - *Gossie's Goose*
9. For The Lovers
10. I Got You
11. Salute