Idol Chatter & Voice Views

In her interview with the media following her ouster from American Idol, Ashthon Jones made this clear: She still thinks she’s got a future in the music business.

She’s also got a past, meaning a pre-Idol CD.

The six-track EP is called “Introducing Ashthon Jones.”

And while it’s apparently been pulled from iTunes because of her Idol participation, you can still download the full EP or any of the six tracks from Amazon here.

The EP was released in November 2008 and displays a side of Ashthon we didn’t get to meet the last couple of weeks on Idol — the R&B dance queen Ashthon.

Who knows? If she had, she might still be around on Idol.

Anyway, in honor of Ashthon, this week’s Idol Chatter featured song is “Salsa, Salsa,” the best track I’ve heard from the CD.  The video for the song appears below.

If you’d like to hear full-length versions of two of the other songs — “Like This” and “Can’t Wait” — head here.

Meanwhile, best of luck to the 24-year-old from Nashville. Given some of the contestants who remain, I still think she left Idol way too soon.

Editor’s Note: Each Monday I’ll feature a pre-Idol song by an Idol contestant that deserves a listen. Previous songs of the day: “My Only One” by Brennin and Kendra Chantelle; “I Walk” by Blue Eyed Grass, featuring Jayron Weaver, “She Runs” by Tim Halperin, “Icing” by Charity Vance and “Dreamin’ Alone” by Paul McDonald of the Hightide Blues/Grand Magnolias.