"Rising Stars"

1. Jeannie Ortega - "So Done" (Spanglish Version) (Hollywood Records)
Reminds me of hints of Monica, JoJo, and Jennifer Lopez. Probably because the producer behind the first sure-to-be-a-hit single, "So Done," is Soul Shock and Karlin. Fantastic song. I favor the Spanglish version. She has more street cred than JoJo and better songs. Hope for her to crossover from Pop to Rhythmic to Latin to Radio Disney.

2. Sara Paxton - "Here We Go Again" (Song BMG)
This first single is miles better than her singer/actress peers Lindsay Lohan, Raven, and Hilary Duff's recent offerings. It sounds older than her age (17-years-old), so the image problem is conflicting. "Here We Go Again" is promising, with verses that are stronger than the chorus. Her vocal limits are evident in the chorus. I'm wary about recommending Paxton, because coincidentally, her "Sleepover" co-star Brie Larson had an amazing first single ("She Said") but faltered with her overcalculating follow-up ("Life After You") and mismatch album. For now, "Here We Go Again" is a delightful lite rock/pop song that reminds you of the days of Merril Bainbridge, Natalie Imbruglia, and Sixpence None The Richer's Leigh Nash.