Timbaland - Scream (Feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger)
[Polydor]

Just when you get tired of studio supremo Timbaland (Tim Mosley), low and behold he comes back with another instant smash-hit that reconfirms the hype that he is one of the world's best, if not the best, pop producer right now.

Mosley is joined on new single Scream by his regular co-songwriter Keri Hilson (this talented singer / writer has penned a fair few hits so far for Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Ciara, Ludacris, Diddy etc) whose role here is joint lead-vocalist along with Nicole Scherzinger.

After tailing-off his run of top-notch tracks with last single Apologize (the dire, trundling-rock collaboration with OneRepublic), Timba's well and truly on form again. Scream is a blend of different elements, taking in a low-grinding R&B rhythm, a touch of classic funk through subtle wah guitars, soul courtesy of the sassy duetting vocals and the live-sounding beats lie between hip-hop and rock.

But really standing out are Hilson's vocals - this R&B songstress could have a cosy future ahead, with her Timbaland and Danja produced debut album, In A Perfect World, out later this year. Going off the qualities of Scream alone, Perfect may just be the right description for the record.