MUSIC
HIP HOP
 |
Bow Wow - Underrated Four albums into his career and Bow Wow is just getting started. Whether talking about a night out with the fellas or whispering to the females, Bow Wow is continuing to balance the art of delivering edgy but tender rhymes that are both true to himself and universal in their appeal. It seems as if Bow Wow has mastered how to walk that fine line of commercial and street. |
 |
DJ Khaled - Kiss The Ring DJ Khaled announced the album title Kiss The Ring with a dramatic video, directed by We the Best Music Group’s videographer Dazed One. The clip features several scenes of Khaled doing what he does best—getting audiences hyped up. Khaled said the new album will be filled with hits created in the vein of “I’m On One” and “All I Do is Win”. |
 |
Odd Future - The OF Tape, Vol. 2 Odd Future is unexpectedly, and somewhat impressively, musically varied. They embrace a few different genres and sub-genres from horrorcore rap all the way to smooth R&B. So to gain a listening rhythm is almost impossible, making it tough to know what to expect as you go from one track to the next. |
 |
Wiz Khalifa - Taylor Allderdice Taylor Allderdice is the rapper’s metaphorical return. His wit and lyricism, let listeners know exactly where he is with this album. “I swear I got so high last night/I don’t remember going to sleep,” Wiz raps on the breezy opener “Amber Ice”. Khalifa’s seventeen track offering is a hazy ride probably best enjoyed in an elevated state. |
 |
Ludacris - Ludaversal The follow-up to 2010's Battle of the Sexes is still in the beginning stages for the Atlanta rapper, who tided fans over by releasing the mix tape “1.21 Gigawatts: Back to the First Time” in November. Ludacris confirmed that the Neptunes, who produced his past hits “Southern Hospitality” and “Money Maker,” contributed to his latest effort. “I’ve pretty much collected about eighty percent of the beats that I need and I’ve started writing ideas on them,” says Ludacris. |
JAZZ
 |
Esperanza Spalding - Radio Music Society Some of the offerings on this new project were intended for inclusion with Spalding’s initial release Chamber Music Society. But do not make the mistake in thinking that the if you own the old project then there is no need for the new one. The only similarities found are bittersweet lines, shifting rhythms, light-toned vocals and lyrics that span the humdrum and socially engaged. Where Chamber Music Society drew upon intimacy and interpretive songs, Radio Music Society comes across as the extrovert twin project that is the yin to the yang of Chamber Music. Horns are the chosen focus bringing forth a more sonically up-beat project. |
 |
Kris Brownlee - Sincerely Yours This will be Brownlee's third full-length album. Collaborating with legendary guitarist Freddie Fox and Grammy Award-winning producer Michael Broening, Brownlee has created an offering that is smooth and filled with grooves that one does not want to end. The accent-filled, "Halo" has already leaked and gotten early praise. |
 |
Robert Glasper Experiment - Black Radio Robert Glasper Experiment’s Black Radio album boldly stakes out new musical territory and transcends any notion of genre. Seamlessly interweaving jazz, hip hop, R&B and rock, but refusing to be identified by any one tag. This production features many of Glasper's famous friends from the spectrum of urban music. |
 |
Take 6 - One Take 6, are a perfect representation of what Duke Ellington called “Beyond Category.” Truly unique in their sound, their angelic and refined voices united in crystal clear harmony that weave in and out an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B and pop flavor. Take 6 are musicians’ musicians who have won praise from such luminaries as Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder. |
 |
Terri Lyne Carrington - The Mosaic Project A beautiful gathering of female artists. Reflecting each personality, and showcasing the talent of all of the women. The veteran producer and composer is joined by Esperanza Spalding, Dianne Reeves, Sheila E., Gretchen Parlato and a special appearance by the legendary Angela Davis. |
SOUL/R&B
 |
Toni Braxton -Heartstrings & Synagogue Vibes Heartstrings & Synagogue Vibes, is currently scheduled to drop May 16, 2012 via Atlantic Records. The first single from it is “I Heart You”, a tune that leans heavily toward dance music and away from the traditional R&B sound she was known for in the '90s. The song can be streamed on www.soundcloud.com. |
 |
Ashanti - Braveheart Ashanti's first studio album since 2008's The Declaration, and also her first release since leaving longtime label The Inc. (formerly called Murder Inc.) to start her own label, Written Entertainment. Her lead single off the album “The Woman You Love”, featuring Busta Rhymes is an attempt to capture some of the chemistry her and past labalemate Ja-Rule shared. |
 |
Eric Benet - The One Appropriately named, Benét’s album marks a moment of positive transition in his life and lyrically speaks to the many new beginnings developing in his career and family. The One will also be the first album released on Benét’s newly formed record label Jordan House Records, which he created in partnership with EMI. “Real Love” is the first single. |
 |
Melanie Fiona - The MF Life The Canadian R&B singer doesn't publicly acknowledge certain details of her private life, but it's obvious on her sophomore album, at the time the album was being recorded, she was still sad and bitter over a bad breakup. Nearly all thirteen songs on the album have stinging words behind them as she tells her side of the story of the failed relationship. |
 |
Monica -New Life Monica's seventh studio album will finally be released this spring after having been pushed back from 2011. A who's who of producers worked on the album included Jermaine Dupri, Salaam Remi, Missy Elliott and Bryan-Micheal Cox. The lead single will reunite Monica and Brandy for a 2012 version of “The Boy Is Mine”. |
GOSPEL
 |
Rhema Soul - Red Rhema Soul, a southern Florida based trio, gears up for their fourth album release RED. Several tracks off of their Fingerprints album were very enjoyable, which created an excitement about the release of RED Their promotional videos also make this a highly anticipated album. Check out their lead single “Need an Answer”. |
 |
LeJuene Thompson - The Evolution of Me Thompson’s new album, The Evolution of Me, is very special and very personal to LeJuene. She says it represents a journey of faith and understanding that she believes others can relate to—and that the sometimes difficult process of putting this CD project together helped her discover her true power. The first single from the CD, “Let God Do It,” was written by Thompson and her husband Cedric. |
 |
Swoope - Wake Up Wake Up features a very contemplative soundscape, relying heavily on well-orchestrated piano and strings. The fact that Swoope produced the majority of the tracks himself speaks magnitudes of his talents. The musicianship of the album makes it clear that Swoope would rather take his time giving an apology for the Christianity than to rush his listeners to a conclusion of God’s glory. |
 |
Elder Goldwire McLendon - The Best of Elder Goldwire McLendon Making a namesake for himself as the contestant on season three of Sunday Best, Elder McLendon will have an album releasing on April 24. So if you enjoyed him on the show, the CD is full of songs that he sang on the show. Seven tracks long, this offering is remastered and remixed by Stanley Brown. Some stand outs are “Thank You” and “Moving Forward”. |
 |
High Society - Hello Revolution A duo that created a hybrid mix of gospel-jazz with a message that is profound and counter-cultural. Song titles like “Kill Jesus, Praise Judas”. Sho Baraka dissects a society that would rather crucify the author of peace than be reconciled to Him. If you listen closely however, Hello Revolution is praying for the world to come to God in repentance. |
