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5 Discs = Classic | 4 Discs = Impressive | 3 Discs = Noteworthy

Musiq Soulchild
Luvanmusiq

4.0 out of 5 discs

Musiq Soulchild has always been the kind of artist that gets big props and a big push for the lead-off single, but then the label drops the ball for the rest of the album. Let's hope and pray that doesn't happen this time around for Luvanmusiq, the latest effort from Musiq Soulchild. Like always, Musiq drops a monster single titled "B.U.D.D.Y" to take over the airwaves and get the fan base anxious for the album. "Ms. Philly" is a nice ballad, but "Teachme" is a great contender for a follow-up single with its solemn request to be shown how to love a woman the way she wants and needs to be loved. And the most logical song to follow that would be "Betterman," an ode that falls right in line with the same mind-set as "Teachme." Other good songs include the mellow yet direct outlook on love of "Today," the mid-tempo groove "Makeyouhappy," the tender serenade of "Lullaby," and the album closer "Greatestlove" The only songs that don't really do much for the album are the aptly titled track "Ridiculous" with its rather annoying background beat and "Thequestions" because of its plain delivery. But this is, by far, a superb album by Musiq Soulchild for fans to enjoy. Let's hope he can sustain being a top talent in the R&B world with such lackluster promotion. He's a joy to see live, and the songs on Luvanmusiq add to an already impressive resume of great songs from his previous albums.

4.5 out of 5 discs

Marques Houston
Veteran

It goes without saying that Marques Houston has grown up right before our eyes. You all remember when he was running around with Immature with their eccentric outfits and Marques sporting his 'whipped' hairdo that had a lot of girls getting jealous because his hair looked way better than theirs. More than fifteen years later, that little boy is now a grown man doing music for all the mature crowd (and doing it well) with his latest album titled Veteran. After getting past the obvious radio-friendly club cut "Like This" featuring Yung Joc, the rest of the album is stellar. "Always & Forever" is a smooth, falsetto-driven track that gets the mood going, "Favorite Girl" (the original single from months ago) is fun and light-hearted, and the current single "Circle" is a certified R&B chart topper that will definitely catch the attention of the young ladies out there. Along those same lines is the song "Wonderful" with its simple piano backdrop and straightforward lyrics as well as "Hold N' Back" with incognito songstress Mya and Shawnna providing that extra special touch to an already dynamic melody. Songs like "Exclusively" "So Right For Me" and "How You Just Gonna" will remind longtime listeners of the later contemporary sound of IMx. "Kimberly" is a nice dedication song (especially for girlfriends named Kimberly) while "Miss Being Your Man" is one of those 'regret' songs for the fellas instead of the ladies. Marques Houston outdid himself with this album. You could see the obvious transitions to more mature material over the years, but it became more obvious with the release of his last album Naked. Veteran is a great album from an artist who is ready to take on the Grown and Sexy crowd.

Lloyd
Street Love

4 out of 5 discs

This is definitely a welcome surprise coming from this young cat who used to rep for his label Murder Inc to the fullest (he's now reportedly managed by Sho Nuff Entertainment with an eventual move to Jazze Pha's label in the coming year or so). And with that came a sudden switch in his musical styling, resorting more on down-to-earth ballads with a charming quality behind them instead of the rough and tough image that was basically ingrained into him. And even though the new CD is called Street Love, it isn't nearly as 'hood' as other recent offerings in the R&B market. His breakout single "You" with Lil Wayne got the kind of buzz most artists wish they could pull off on a sophomore effort. "Get It Shawty" is grimy enough for the younger crowd, but catchy enough for the club crowd to enjoy. "Incredible" will make you immediately compare Lloyd to Michael Jackson, but thankfully his charisma is more believable over an edgier urban beat than most of the futile attempts by the King of Pop. Other standouts have to be "Certified," "I Don't Mind," and "Player's Prayer" (the latter is a serious contender for the next single). "Killing Me" and "Valentine" both revert back to early M.J., "Streetlove" sounds suspiciously like "Promise" by Ciara but still delivers nonetheless, and "Hazel" uses a unique storytelling approach for the lyrics (and makes the name Hazel sound a lot better than Gertrude!). He closes out the album with "One For Me" which uses the beat from the infamous "Moments In Love" beat from Art of Noise, and Andre 3000 and Nas put it down for the "You" remix. Lloyd has his eye on the prize, and the magnetism of Street Love will certainly keep everybody looking at the rising superstar for years to come.

4 out of 5 discs

Joss Stone
Introducing Joss Stone

Soul music comes in different shapes and sizes, appealing to either a small population of listeners or a large cross section of R&B fans. But when a new soulful talent comes out of left field and they aren't black, people pay attention. Look at Jon B, Lisa Stansfield, Teena Marie, and other non-blacks who have made great strides for R&B and soulful Pop music. Fast forward to today, and you'll see people like Amy Winehouse, Christina Aguilera, and the strikingly soulful Joss Stone continuing that trend. Joss Stone started off covering old soul classics with Soul Sessions and eventually released her first original album in 2004 called Mind Body and Soul. But with dissipating buzz, Joss Stone and company felt it was necessary to re-up and try again with Introducing Joss Stone. She reportedly had more control over the sound and direction of her latest effort. And frankly, it's just as good as when mentors and more experienced personnel helped out on her previous work . The album starts off very strong with the organic, old school sound of "Girl They Won't Believe It," the infectious "Headturner," and the funky "Tell Me About It." Common pops up on "Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now" and the 'feel good' nature of "Arms Of My Baby" puts that song over as well. But the monster ballad (and a no brainer for a future single) has to be the liberating "Bruised But Not Broken," a song that has the potential to inspire many people through any tough times they may be experiencing. There are a few questionable moments on this album, namely the odd offering from Lauryn Hill on "Music" and the occasional over-singing on some of the songs. But Introducing Joss Stone is actually a good album from Miss Stone. The flow from song to song is rather seamless, giving the indication that Joss Stone either learned from previous mentors what to do...or what not to do when making an album. Now she has to seriously get her grind on because there are a lot of women in Soul Music who have those same aspirations...no matter if they are White, African-American, or Latina.