Christina Aguilera cancels her North American tour that is set to start on May 13 due to strained vocal chords, and as per her doctor’s advise, she needs to rest and recover.

The said tour is to further promote her 2002 release “Stripped”. Aguilera will have rapper Chingy as opening act. She was scheduled to perform in 28 cities with Seattle as her first stop.

In a statement released by Aguilera, she says that she is “extremely disappointed” that the tour needed to be canceled for health reasons. She sends her sincerest apologies to her fans.

Refunds are available where the ticket purchase was made.

Meanwhile, the “Stripped…Live in the UK” concert DVD has its release date also moved. It was originally scheduled to be released on April 6. No word yet as to when the new release date will be, but Aguilera’s official website has been taking pre-orders for the said DVD.

Christina Aguilera will be busy singing songs from her “Back to Basics” album in 41 US and Canadian cities that is set to be launched in Houston on February 20. The tour will run for the entire spring until May. The tour will also feature all-girl group Pussy Cat Dolls as support act and Danity Kane as front act.

The complete list of the tour’s venues and dates was announced by AEG Live, promoter of the said event, on October 12 and tickets for most shows will be available to the public on October 14. For those who are looking out to buy VIP ticket packages, log on to iloveallaccess.com for more details. The VIP package includes premium front seats, back stage passes, passes to pre-show parties, tours, gifts, memorabilia, and a lot more.

The stage design for Aguilera’s “Back to Basics” tour is sure to be an eye feast for the audience with three stages, 600 moving lines, sight lines, and hydraulics that are to be expected from the stage design. Also to be expected are amazing dance moves from the mind that choreographed some of Madonna’s and Janet Jackson’s shows – Jamie King. Costume design will feature world-renowned fashion designer, Roberto Cavalli.

“Back to Basics” is Aguilera’s third studio effort, following the success of her 2002 album “Stripped”, which were both produced by Linda Perry. “Basics” debuted at the Billboard Hot 200 Albums at the top spot when it was released in August. The album is a smash-up of vintage beats coupled with modern lyrics.

Aguilera is currently preparing for a European tour which will kick off in Sheffield, UK on November 17. Log on to her official website, www.christinaaguilera.com, to view the complete details of her month-long European tour.

It is confirmed that Christina Aguilera will be going on a North American tour to further promote her latest album, “Back to Basics”, but no word yet as to the specifics of the tour such as venues and dates although it looks like they are planning to bring this event to larger crowds at larger venues, like arenas.

This is despite Aguilera’s idea to go on tour on smaller or more intimate jazz and blues clubs to promote the album, since the album is a modern take on vintage and blues of the early 20th century.

In a September interview posted at MTV.com, the singer said that the “dates are to be determined” for the North American leg of the said tour. Although no complete itinerary has been, a kick off in Houston on February 20 was already announced via the artist’s official website. But make sure to come back regularly for more updates as an announcement from Aguilera’s camp is expected to be made soon.

Aguilera is currently busy preparing for her upcoming European tour with her first stop in Sheffield, UK on November 17. Fortunately for this leg of the tour, the full details are posted on her official website.

“Back to Basics” is Aguilera’s follow up to “Stripped” (2002). “Basics” delivers a completely new sound unlike her first two studio efforts. The album sports a modern vintage and blues sound, and even the videos for some of the album tracks (“Ain’t No Other” and “Candyman”) are also sporting the look and feel from those era and music genre. It debuted at number 1 at the Billboard Hot 200 Albums upon its release in August 2006. “Back to Basics” is produced by the same genius who worked on “Stripped” – Linda Perry.

It has been four years when “Stripped”, an album that stirred up quite a controversy when Christina Aguilera tried to break away from her sweet girl image through the tracks “Dirrty”, “Fighter” and “Can’t Hold Us Down”, was released. Even the videos for the said tracks are somewhat a deliberate attempt by the artist to unleash the vixen in her.

Then now comes her double-disc concept album “Back to Basics”. The concept of the album is a modern take on vintage soul and funky blues of the early 20th century. It’s like a mash-up of the likes of Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday with modern words and rhymes and hip-hop and dance beats (DJ Premier of the 90s rap act Gang Starr co-produced Disc 1 of the album). The artist still pulls out the high notes and at times, at much greater octaves than what Mariah Carey’s voice can reach.

Aguilera also fashions an up-do, actually a bouffant, especially in the video of her carrier single “Ain’t No Other Man”. The song uses jazz instruments and harmonies combined with modern dance beats. “Candyman” also sports the same beats and harmonies but is more reminiscent of the sound of the all-girl groups of the 1930s and 1940s. Both songs are from disc 1 of the album.

Among the other noteworthy tracks in the album are “Make Me Wanna Pray” where Aguilera pulls her vocal chords to the max, and “Slow Down Baby” where old and new school R&B collide. There were also several tracks in the album that she dedicated to her husband, Jordan Bratman, one of which is the track “Save Me from Myself”.

Disc 2 of the album feature several tracks produced by Linda Perry, the same musical genius who produced Aguilera’s sophomore album “Stripped”, especially the inspirational track from the said album, “Beautiful”. Basically, disc 2 has the ballads complete with orchestras, full choir and Aguilera’s high-pitched tones. It features tracks like “Hurt” where Aguilera delivers a melodramatic performance that might just give Barbra Streisand a run for her money and “The Right Man”, which speaks clearly about her wedding to Jordan Bratman.

Clearly Aguilera wanted to glorify, and sometimes, imitate the sounds and images of musical legends like Etta James or Billie Holiday. But she did not have to go that far. In the first place, she did not have their grace, or at least the grace of those women who were her musical heroes. Aguilera does have the moves, but are not so classy for old school jazz and blues, or are way too stiff for a swing.

In summary, “Back to Basics” is Aguilera’s way of revering her female musical icons and the sounds of the 20s, 30s and 40s. However, it just didn’t seem like she fitted well in the genre. However, the silver lining is, at least she has shown some musical maturity, diversity and creativity in terms of album ideas and concepts, but she should know when to tone down and when to hit the high notes in a song. She doesn’t have to blast her vocal chords out in every track, just saying.

RCA Records has set August 15 as the release date of Christina Aguilera’s newest and fourth studio album, “Back to Basics”.

“Basics” is a concept album that is produced by the same mind who geared Aguilera’s sophomore album, “Stripped” – Linda Perry. The concept of the album is based on the sounds of the early 20th century – jazz, soul, blues – mixed with modern rhymes and beats. The over-all feel of the record is a “modern take on vintage” as what record label RCA would put it.

In an interview, Aguilera mentioned that the album’s influences were Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Otis Redding – her so-called “fun music” while she was growing up.

The carrier single for the album, “Ain’t No Other Man” will be officially released four days after Aguilera performs it for the very first time on June 8 at the MTV Movie Awards.

Notable tracks from the album are “Candyman” which is reminiscent from the “girl band” harmonies of the 30s and 40s, “I Got Trouble”, “Save Me from Myself” which she dedicated to her husband, Jordan Bratman, “Thank You” which she dedicated to her fans and features DJ Premier’s mixing expertise by sampling Aguilera’s debut single “Genie in a Bottle” in between verses, and “Nasty Naughty Boy”, reminiscent of the 1920’s burlesque era.

Christina Aguilera’s North American summer tour is all set. Aguilera, together with Chingy – fresh from the success of his 2003 album, “Jackpot” – will be touring through 40 US and Canadian cities which will commence in May. Chingy will open for all the shows of the said tour.

The summer tour is still aimed at promoting Christina’s late 2002 release “Stripped”, which had already hit triple platinum status. Last year, she went on a tour with pop star and former N*Sync member, Justin Timberlake for the “Justified and Stripped Tour”. Pollstar named the tour as one of 2003’s top grossing tours when it raked in it a massive $31.8 million after the duo performed in 40 cities across the US and Canada.

“Stripped” is co-written and co-produced by Aguilera herself. The inspirational track from the album, “Beautiful” won Aguilera a Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Award from this year’s Grammy’s.

Meanwhile, Aguilera’s November concert at the Wembley Arena in London entitled, “Stripped…Live in the UK” has a DVD version which goes out in stores in April.

Pop royalties Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera, along with rock group, The White Stripes, are scheduled to perform in the upcoming 46th Grammy Awards, to be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 8.

In addition, an “old school soul and funk” tribute is set to go down on the said event, with OUtKast, music legends Earth, Wind and Fire, Robert Randolph & The Family Band and George Clinton performing. All artists including Timberlake, Aguilera and The White Stripes, are nominated in at least one Grammy category this year.

Previous Grammy winner Christina Aguilera is nominated again this year in three categories: Best Pop Vocal Album for “Stripped”, Best Pop Female Vocal Performance for the song “Beautiful”, and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for the song “Can’t Hold Us Down” which she sung with Lil’ Kim.

Justin Timberlake is vying for five awards in this year’s Grammys. He is up against fellow “Mouseketeer” Christina Aguilera for Best Pop Vocal Album for “Justified”. He is also vying for both Record of the Year and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Where is the Love?” which he did with the Black Eyed Peas, Best Pop Male Vocal Performance for “Cry Me a River”, and for the biggest award of the night, Album of the Year for “Justified”.

The White Stripes are also Grammy contenders in four categories. They will be going head to head with Timberlake for Album of the Year for “Elephant”, Best Alternative Music Album, also for “Elephant”, and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Rock Song for “Seven Nation Army”.

Among the night’s Grammy performers, OutKast has the most nominations with six. They are also vying for the biggest award of the night – Album of the Year for “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below”. The album is also up for a Best Rap Album award. While the album’s biggest hit “Hey Ya” is up for three awards: Record of the Year, Best Urban/Alternative Performance, and Best Short Form Music Video. OutKast is nominated for Producer of the Year.

Funk icons Earth Wind and Fire are also in the running for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for their song “Hold Me”. While Robert Randolph and The Family Band are nominated for two awards, Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Squeeze” and Best Rock Gospel Album for “Unclassified”.

The 46th Grammys can be watched live from Staples Center on February 8 at CBS.

Fresh from the successes of their albums “Justified” and “Stripped”, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera now team up for a concert tour that is sure to rake in the big bucks since they will be co-headlining the tour.

The tour entitled, “Justified and Stripped”, will feature both artists singing songs from their highly successful albums. The tour will start in June and will run for the next three months although specific details for the tour are yet to be announced.

Justin Timberlake had just recently picked up a couple of Grammy nominations for his 2002 album and its carrier single “Like I Love You” was also nominated. When asked about his reaction for the upcoming tour he said that he is truly “looking forward” to it. He also says this is his first tour without his former group N*Sync.

Aguilera’s 2002 “Stripped” album features the dance track and chart topper “Dirrty” which is the album’s carrier single and the inspirational ballad, “Beautiful”.

Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera have previously worked together when they were both “mouseketeers” in the “All New Mickey Mouse Club” along with Timberlake’s fellow N*Sync-er JC Chasez and Timberlake’s now ex-girlfriend and Aguilera’s pop rival Britney Spears.