Howard Hewitt
If Only
The Groove Records
Master at work is the best description for Hewett’s latest, his first soul album in about eight years. Clearly inspired, he pours his heart into not just every song. Try every syllable. Full review
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Tank
Sex Love & Pain
Blackground
Soul man Tank breaks the tribulations of relationships down to a trilogy of 12 songs. Being that this brother is a stone cold singer, it’s a shame that some of the repetitively structured songs constrict his gifts. Full review
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DMX
Definition of X: The Pick of the Litter
One of the most doggedly successful stories in the history of Def Jam Recordings belonged to rapper and megastar DMX – the only artist in history to have his first five albums debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart between 1998 and 2003.
With cumulative Def Jam album sales totaling 15 million copies in the U.S. alone, and nearly four times that number in worldwide record sales, DMX’s career at the label is summed up with the release of ‘The Definition of X: Pick of the Litter.’ Full review
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R. Kelly
Double Up
“Let me remind you that I am the king of R&B.” So singeth R. Kelly, near the end of his thumping, piano-driven hit, “I’m a Flirt (Remix),” which just might be the most pleasurable song on the radio. It’s an unnecessary boast: Who could possibly argue, or forget?
Five years ago a sex scandal threatened to dethrone him, but in the end it merely gave him more of what every star needs: attention and motivation. Full review
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Lil' Flip
I Need Mine
(Asylum/Warner)
By Lisa Coleman
According to Lil’ Flip, the game was over when he first stepped into the limelight and at that time he was right. He has single-handedly created an empire of underground hits and has assimilated into the crossover market with the success of “Game Over” and “Sunshine” from U Gotta Feel Me (2004). Full review
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Kev Samples
The Rush
(Outlandish Ent.)
By Lisa Coleman
Being familiar with Kev Samples on The Death of R&B Mixtape with DJ Whoo Kid has actually helped me to see his growth. While I can’t say he has me totally convinced, I can say that his sound has undergone some positive structural changes evident on his debut album. Full review
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Onaje Allan Gumbs
Sack Full of Dreams
(Showcase/Allegro)
By A. Scott Galloway
This acclaimed pianist/arranger/composer usually makes records in a meticulous manner over many a month.However for this scintillating new disc, he did things the old fashioned way – over two days, all the way live in the studio. Full review
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Jeff Lorber
He Had A Hat
(Narada Jazz/Blue Note)
By A. Scott Galloway
Since his 1978 debut with his original quartet The Jeff Lorber Fusion, this
Philadelphia
native has been a purveyor of soul-jazz sounds. He was key in introducing both Kenny G and Karyn White to the game. Full review
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Donnie
The Daily News
(Soul Thought)
By A. Scott Galloway
There was once a public service campaign aimed at getting young people to just say no to tobacco by challenging them to become “The Unhooked Generation.” Lexington-born and Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Donnie has taken up that torch to the power of 12 on his challenging and eagerly awaited sophomore album, The Daily News. Full review
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Somi
Red Soil in My Eyes
(
World
Village
)
By A. Scott Galloway
Praised and profiled everywhere from Global Rhythm Magazine to “The Ananda Lewis Show,” Somi is a New York-based East African singer/songwriter making her debut with Red Soil in My Eyes . Full review
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Gordon Chambers
Love Stories
(Chamber Music)
By A. Scott Galloway
Mr. Chambers is a journalist turned recording artist who has been honing his craft writing and arranging for others, including Anita Baker, the Isley Brothers, Yolanda Adams and Terri & Monica. Full review
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Timbaland
Timberland presents “Shock Value”
(Blackground/Interscope)
By A. Scott Galoway
The evolution of Tim “Timbaland” Mosley from hip hop soul guru to global techno-pop maestro comes full circle with this star-flooded disc. Ain’t nothin’ but a victory party as Timbland gets on the mic singing and rapping, mostly about beat supremacy and pimpalicious seduction to bumpin’ intergalactic beats. Full review
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Kendrick Scott Oracle
The Source
(World Culture Music)
By A.Scott Galloway
It is always a pleasure to get a CD by a drummer who is not only the leader of the band but a composer/arranger of sensitivity for all the instruments at hand. Full review
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Robin
Eubanks & EB3
Live Vol. 1
(RKM)
By A. Scott Galloway
On the too-fierce-to-be-ignored tip comes this amazing instrumental project from acoustic and electric trombonist
Robin
Eubanks and his power trio EB3. Full review
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Lumidee
Unexpected
(TVT)
A. Scott Galloway
Spanish Harlem native Lumidee Cedeno is that tough yet sensitive chick from round the way who raps, sings and writes her own material. For her long overdue sophomore album, Unexpected (her first for TVT), she gets the full young diva treatment with high tech production and superstar guests. Full review
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Jackiem Joyner
Babysoul
(Artizen)
By A. Scott Galloway
Hey…if he’s good enough for Angela Bofill, he’s GOT to be decent enough for you. 26 year-old saxophonist and flautist Joyner makes good on the time he spent shedding with the likes of Marcus Johnson, Ronnie Laws and Bobby
Lyle
by making his debut as a leader with his self-produced CD, Babysoul. Full review
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