Mix Tape: Utada, Shelby Lynne, Sasha

Hotter than wasabi...

Utada is hotter than wasabi. This Japanese pop sensation is releasing her first US album "Exodus" on October 5th on Island Records. Produced by Timbaland, the record is rumored to include dance and funk grooves. Drummer Jon Theodore of Mars Volta makes a cameo. The first single "Devil Inside" with remixes by Scumfrog and others is available on iTunes now (music link).

Grammy winner and (closeted) lesbian favorite Shelby Lynne is set to make her film debut in "Walk The Line," a major motion picture based on the life of Johnny Cash. The Fox Searchlight film starring Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix and directed by James Mangold ("Girl, Interrupted") is currently filming in Memphis. Lynne has been tapped to play Cash's mother.

After Sasha told me in a recent interview that he is going all digital, fan forums have been buzzing with controversy. Check out the fierce commentary on the Rhythmism and Club Planet messageboards.