The Neptunes - My Drive Thru (2011)

In 2005 Star Trak signed rapper Slim Thug and released his debut album, 'Already Platinum', with singles from it giving Star Trak Entertainment yet more hits with 'Like A Boss' and 'I Ain't Heard Of That'. After the release of Slim Thug's album, Geffen Records was partially absorbed into Interscope, which moved Star Trak into an exclusive distribution deal with Interscope, which ended all business with Geffen, although they did still manage to add Kenna and Robin Thicke to their roster. In 2006 Pharrell Williams released his debut solo album, 'In My Mind', which provided another two hits for the label, 'Can I Have It Like That' with Gwen Stefani, and 'Number One' with Kanye West, and it capitalized on what had become 'the Neptunes sound'. Other releases in 2006 were Robin Thicke's second album, 'The Evolution Of Robin Thicke', and Clipse's second album, 'Hell Hath No Fury', featuring the hit single 'Mr. Me Too'.  This was their first release through their Re-Up Gang Records imprint, but because of constant delays on the album's release date, then low record sales, Clipse asked for a release from the Jive Records label, which in turn released them from Star Trak Entertainment, moving their Re-Up Gang Records imprint to Columbia Records. Further signings to Star Trak included Teyana Taylor, Chester French, Natasha Ramos, Epoch When and Sergio Veneno, and in 2007, Kenna released his album, 'Make Sure They See My Face', on Interscope, with production from the Neptunes. In this final compilation of rare and unreleased productions from the duo, we have a dozen tracks from 2007 to 2011, following the signing of that group of artists, some of whom then recorded music which was never destined for commercial release. I was quite pleased with the cover when I found that there really was a drive thru called Neptune Submarine Sandwiches. 

Track listing

01 Heart Beat (Pharrell Williams feat. Nicole Scherzinger)
02 My Drive Thru (N.E.R.D. feat. Julian Casablancas & Santigold)
03 Gone Away (Joe & Pharrell Williams)
04 Get Down (Rick Ross feat. Pharrell Williams)
05 Let Loose (N.E.R.D.)
06 Not My Fault (Chris Brown)
07 Devastation (Omarion)
08 BabyGirl (R. Kelly) 
09 My Ex Girlfriend (Bobby Valentino feat. Pharrell)
10 Soldier (N.E.R.D. feat. Santigold, Fam-Lay & Lil' Wayne)
11 Bridges (Cee Lo Green) 
12 Lazer-Gun Carryin' (N.E.R.D.)

The Neptunes - Big White Spaceship (2006)

In 2001 the Neptunes formed the Star Trak label, which was partially funded by Arista Records (from Bertelsmann Music Group) in a joint-venture. Pharrell Williams would sign longtime friends, Clipse, and release their debut album, 'Lord Willin'', on the label in 2002, led by the hits 'Grindin'', 'When The Last Time', and 'Ma, I Don't Love Her'. After the success of the album, the label would sign Kelis, Vanessa Marquez, Fam-Lay, N.E.R.D and pop rock band Spymob, who had provided backing instruments for N.E.R.D's debut album 'In Search Of....'. The label released a compilation album during the summer of 2003, entitled 'The Neptunes Present... Clones', featuring songs and remixes from various Star Trak artists. In late 2003, Star Trak Entertainment released the highly successful album, Tasty, by Kelis led by the hit single 'Milkshake', and in early 2004, Star Trak linked with EMI's Virgin Records for a new distribution deal. In the second of three compilations of rare and unreleased productions from the Neptunes, here are some of their lesser-known productions from 2002 to 2006.

Track listing

01 SOS Baby (Robin Thicke) 
02 Operator (Ol' Dirty Bastard feat. Clipse & Pharrell Williams)
03 Big White Spaceship (Pharrell Williams feat. Timbaland & Magoo) 
04 Wifey (Usher feat. Pharrell) 
05 My First Time (Beyonce) 
06 Want You To Know (Vanessa Marquez feat. Justin Timberlake) 
07 Another Life (Robin Thicke)
08 If You Keep On Askin' (Vanessa Marquez) 
09 Only One (Usher feat. Pharrell) 
10 Friends Are (Vanessa Marquez) 
11 Locked Away (N.E.R.D.)
12 What's A Guy Gotta Do (Usher)
13 Til the Morning [MJB Demo] (Natasha Ramos)

Nicole Scherzinger - Fire (2011)

As I mentioned in the previous posts from Nicole Scherzinger, before embarking fully on a solo career she dipped her toes in the water by appearing on other artist's records as a guest vocalist, and in 2006 and 2007 she graced quite a few songs with her presence. It was an eclectic mix, with 50 Cent sitting next to Shaggy, and Timbaland vying with P. Diddy for her attention, and if we gather up all the guest appearances that she made before the release of her official debut studio album in 2011 then we have a very enjoyable 45-minute album of prime R&B and reggae. Only one of these tracks eventually appeared on that debut album 'Killer Love', but as 'Heartbeart' with Enrique Inglesias was also released as a single in 2010 then I'm including it on here anyway.   

Track listing 

01 Don't Ask Her That (feat. Shaggy) [from 'Clothes Drop' 2005]
02 Come To Me (feat. P. Diddy) [from 'Press Play' 2006]
03 Fire (feat. 50 Cent & Young Buck) [from 'Curtis' 2007]
04 Heartbeat (feat. Pharrell Williams) [Madonna demo 2008]
05 Supa Hypnotic (feat. Shaggy) [from 'Clothes Drop' 2005]
06 Scream (feat. Keri Hilson & Timbaland) [from 'Shock Value' 2007]
07 Papi Lover (feat. Daddy Yankee) [from 'El Cartel: The Big Boss' 2007]
08 Numba 1 (Tide Is High) (feat. Kardinal Offishall) [from 'Not 4 Sale' 2008]
09 Lie About Us (feat. Avant) [from 'Director' 2006]
10 Heartbeat (feat. Enrique Iglesias) [from 'Euphoria' 2010]
11 Hotel Room Service (feat. Pitbull) [from 'Rebelution' 2009]
12 Coconut Tree (feat. Mohombi) [from 'MoveMeant' 2011]