Black Eyed Peas, Ron Isley, "Glee" cast, Chrisette Michele

During Sunday's (11/28) NFL games on Fox, the dominant music came from two acts: the Beatles and Black Eyed Peas. The two Apples -- the iTunes folks and the label -- were alerting everyone about tracks available online; Black Eyed Peas tunes were accompanied with onscreen writing to alert viewers that their new album would be going on sale in less than 48 hours.

Perhaps people attracted to the visual of boom-boom pow would like to hear the further adventures of "Boom Boom Pow."

The Black Eyed Peas, to use a little football jargon, run their routes well and complete just about every pass. Over the years it has been evident the band and its team do a superb job creating a game plan and executing once they take the field.

The group's new album, "The Beginning," is being released days after America stormed shopping malls, department stores and boutiques, missing out on a chance to duke it out in the aisles with Kanye West. But by coming out the Tuesday (11/30) after Thanksgiving, they had a chance to build a bit more consumer awareness, a crucial issue for any established band. They made one of the worst-kept secrets in sports and music official: Black Eyed Peas are playing the coveted Super Bowl halftime show in February.

The Peas already got face time on the American Music Awards, where they performed the current single "The Time (Dirty Bit)," a song not eligible for any award. Then came the Super Bowl announcement, which was followed by an AOL-sponsored announcement of a contest to send a BEP fan to Dallas to attend the NFL championship game. The came Sunday's promotional push of the album.

At the Grammy announcement a year ago, BEP used the show to announce a worldwide tour in 2010, a perfect opportunity to disseminate information live to the media. Perfect timing. Now they have partners with audiences larger than their own helping to get the word out that "The Beginning" is in stores.

BEP leader Will.I.Am will address a luncheon of lawyers sponsored by the Grammy organization days before those awards are handed out in February. Neither he nor the band have been announced for Wednesday's (12/1) concert/nominations announcement, but it seems like another logical alignment of talent and platform that cannot be resisted by either party.

Other new releases of note:

Ron Isley, "Mr. I" (Def Jam)
The first solo album from the 68-year-old lead singer of the Isley Brothers arrives seven months after his release from prison for tax evasion. He worked at the chapel while incarcerated, which gave him the idea to do a gospel album. That will have to wait. On "Mr. I." Isley is joined by Aretha Franklin on Carole King's "You've Got a Friend," as well as T.I. Isley made an album with Burt Bacharach in 2003 and he recently teamed with Lauryn Hill on "Close to You," the Bacharach/Hal David tune that was a hit for the Carpenters. Unfortunately, that track is not included on "Mr. I."

"Glee" cast, "'Glee': The Music, Volume 4 (Columbia)
Eighteen performances from season two, including songs from guest Gwyneth Paltrow ("Forget You") and newcomer Darren Criss ("Teenage Dream"). The album includes "Billionaire," "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" and "Empire State of Mind" as well as four songs from the "Britney/Brittany" episode, the most watched episode of Fox's hit TV show.

Chrisette Michele, "Let Freedom Reign" (Def Jam)
The follow-up to "Epiphany," which debuted at No. 1 when it was released in May 2009, features the single "I'm A Star." Ne-Yo wrote the track, which Chuck Harmony produced.

Jazmine Sullivan, "Love Me Back" ( J Records)
The sophomore album from Jazmine Sullivan finds her working with Ne-Yo, Los da Mystro, Ryan Leslie, Lamb, Missy Elliott and Salaam Remi.

Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3, "Northern Aggressions" (Yep Roc)
The band's first new album together in more than five years, Wynn, Stephen McCarthy, Jason Victor, Linda Pitmon and Dave Decastro headed south to Richmond, VA, to record away from their New York home. The Dream Syndicate founder formed the Miracle 3 in 2001. This is their third album.

Dave Specter, "Spectified" (Fret12 Productions)
The ninth studio release from the Chicago blues guitarist features nine originals and three classics. David Hidalgo of Los Lobos guests on the track "Rumba & Tonic."

Dinah Washington, "The Fabulous Miss D: The Keynote, Decca, & Mercury Singles 1943-1953" (Hip-O Select)
Dinah Washington's 107 pre-LP singles from the late 1940s and early 1950s are gathered in a single box set for the first time. The first 10 years of the career of Queen of the Jukeboxes features her recordings for the Mercury and Keynote, plus her one-off release for Decca as lead vocalist of the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. Among the hits in the package are "Evil Gal Blues," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "West Side Baby," "Am I Asking Too Much" and "Baby Get Lost."

The Deep, "Psychedelic Moods: The Definitive Masters Edition" (Cicadelic)
Released in October 1966, the Deep's debut is considered the first rock album to use the term "psychedelic," predating the Blues Magoos, the 13th Floor Elevators and others. The musicians' goal was to simulate an acid trip by using fuzz guitar, flute, backward tapes, xylophones and sound effects. Reissued with liner notes and remastered sound, it is similar to the Velvet Underground, whose first album was released nearly a half-year later.

Sun Ra, "Sub-Dwellers - Space Poetry Vol. 2" (Norton)
Previously unissued music recorded in 1966, 1968, and 1982 features Sun Ra singing, reciting and playing with straight-ahead jazz, abstract sounds and electronics from the Arkestra behind him.

Other albums of interest:
Bryan Adams, "Bare Bones" (Machete)
Eric Benet, "Lost in Time" (Reprise)
El DeBarge, "Second Chance" (Geffen)
The Sing-Off: Harmonies for the Holidays (Epic)
Tim McGraw, Number One Hits (Curb)

Source :http://www.soundspike.com/features/1124-black_eyed_peas_news_new_releases_nov_30_black_eyed.html