Another Round, Jaheim 2010

2010 release from the modern Soul/R&B vocalist. With his smooth, sonorous tone, Jaheim is the forerunner and torch-carrier of today's soul-originated R&B. A vocalist in the tradition of such greats as Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross, he signed with former Naughty By Nature beat man Kay Gee's Divine Mill record label in 2000. Jaheim released three albums over five years: his 2001 debut, Ghetto Love; 2002's sophomore set, Still Ghetto - both of which reached RIAA platinum status; and 2006's Ghetto Classics. After taking time off following the release of Ghetto Classics, Jaheim returns with a renewed focus on the direction in which he wants to take his career. 13 tracks. Amazon

Raymond V Raymond , Usher 2009

2010 release, the seventh album from the multi-million selling R&B artist. Following the success of his platinum selling 2008 release Here I Stand, Raymond v Raymond takes you on a journey through the dichotomy of man. Raymond v Raymond opens up another chapter of Usher's coming of age as he tells the story of balancing the challenges of day to day life as an evolving man while jumping back on the scene as a sex symbol and fearless superstar entertainer. With the help of some of the biggest producers in music including Polow Da Don, Jim Jonsin (Lollipop), Danja (Sober), and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Raymond v Raymond is sure to paint a vivid portrait of growth, triumph, defeat and happiness. La Face Records

2009 release from the 10 member Funk/Jazz/Soul outfit, released to coincide with the band's 41st anniversary, Great American Soulbook finds the veteran outfit tackling old Soul favorites including cuts from Aretha Franklin, Billy Paul and a four song James Brown tribute. Amazon

Jason Mraz returns with his 2008 album We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things through Atlantic Records. This is the San Diego-based troubadour's third studio release and his first set of all new material in nearly three years which was produced by Martin Terefe (KT Tunstall, Ron Sexsmith, James Morrison). The album see Mraz continuing to tread his own distinctive artistic parth, welding a variegated musical tapestry with passionate, personal lyricism. Among the highlights are collaborations with British tunesmith James Morrison, singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat. "I'm Yours,' the album's first single, ws chosen due to the undeniable fan response to the song. Warner

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The album Evolver features superstars Kanye West, Andre 3000 and Estelle.The album's first single 'Green Light' impacted Urban & Rhythm formats August 19th, 2008. John Legend's debut CD Get Lifted & sophomore CD Once John Legend is the winner of five Grammy Awards. Amazon

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If you’re in the market for a newer R&B chanteuse less plagued than Amy Winehouse but with more creative range than Alicia Keys, then give consideration to Alice Smith. On her first album For Lovers, Dreamers & Me, Smith beautifully blurs genres - jazz, soul, folk, funk - all the while grounding each song with her throaty, supple and oh-so-soulful voice. music-review.com

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"A PASSION FOR DISCIPLINE" by Janet "It's the idea that unifies the songs on this record. As a concept, and even a lifestyle, discipline goes extremely deep. It can be applied to so much about ourselves. In my case,I see it as one of defining aspects of my character. Discipline was there for me from the start. But it was not until this record that I began to understand its full meaning. "In putting Discipline out front -- as both the title of the album and title of a song about sexual surrender -- I wanted to announce that I was venturing into new creative waters. That meant working with producers like Jermaine Dupri, Rodney Jerkins, and Ne-Yo, whose songs spoke to the immediacy of my emotions. Like all my records, this one, whether intentional or not, has autobiographical roots. It's difficult for me to work any other way. I don't feel it, if I don't believe it, I can't sing it.

"So Discipline, as a storyline, begins in my childhood which someone could see as a classic study in discipline. Discipline was part of a family culture that I absorbed. I was born with it.
"I also believe that discipline has given me the confidence to jump out of the nest. When L.A. Reid, Chairman of Island Def Jam, and I discussed co-executive producing this record, we both agreed that the feeling had to adventuresome and fresh. I was interested in exploring musical scenarios--some exotic, many erotic, but all deeply emotional. "I wanted to push the envelope. And I'm glad that Discipline, both as a song and an album, does just that."

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The unforgettable voice of Michael McDonald is back with his follow up to his two Motown tribute albums! The former Doobie Brother and touring member of Steely Dan returns with a 13 track record, featuring some of Michael's favorite songs: "Love TKO" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Walk on By" by Dionne Warwick, "Into The Mystic" by Van Morrison, "Living For The City" by Stevie Wonder, "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley and more. "Soul Speak" also features the brand new song from Michael "Getting Over You". Let Michael's familiar voice take you higher with "Soul Speak". Amazon

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The Great White North has not been able to bestow the title of "Canada’s answer to Mary J. Blige" until now. Jully Black may very well garner that prize thanks to the passion and performance on her sophomore CD, Revival. As the first single, "Seven Day Fool," makes clear, she deftly and seamlessly handles the Motown sound. The track--once made famous by Etta James--is in fact the only cover song on the disc; every other track features the talented Black as co-writer. With each cut stemming from R&B as a base, sass and soul pervade the disc in enough musical forms to bring forth fans from many genres. "Queen" matches a reggae beat with a melody that India.Arie would love to wrap her larynx around. Elsewhere, Black skates the edges of electronic music, as on "Never Lost My Sight," which finds her soulful voice wrapping around a rapid-fire drum-and-bass beat. "Temporary Insanity" barely contains Black’s breathy, sexy, rhythmic vocals as they deliver a melody that could fit onto the next Justin Timberlake CD. In that cut and others, the match between Black and producer (and Black Eyed Peas drummer) Keith Harris makes for a dream team, and his sense of rhythmic hooks keeps the disc extra fresh throughout. Never formulaic, never kitschy, Revival knocks out all Canadian R&B competitors and deserves to be noticed on a world scale. --Denise Sheppard

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Macy Gray's unique vocals—Betty Boop crossed with Aretha Franklin and Billie Holiday—conjured a Grammy Award with "I Try" and a multiplatinum debut, "On How Life Is" (1999). But subsequent albums failed to maintain that momentum. Now signed to Will.i.am's label and teamed with a diverse lineup of singers, songwriters and producers, Gray kicks off her resurrection with the wry "Finally Made Me Happy." The relationship-ending anthem gets the joint jumping with Gray's distinctive rasp, gospel-charged piano and organ; one of the best hooks in recent memory ("You finally made me happy when you walked out that door"); and a scat-happy Natalie Cole. Offering up other tracks about lost love ("Shoo Be Doo"), single mom-hood ("What I Gotta Do"), joy ("Ghetto Love") and hope ("One for Me"), the set is a major return to form for a distinctive talent. – Gail, Billboard