CD-Charts Position 1
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The Art of Love & War

by: Angie Stone

Release Date October 15, 2007
That Ms Stone (nee Brown) has never quite hit the BIG big time is a mystery.

Her 2006 appearance on Celebrity Fit Club would not necessarily have helped matters.

The real reason however is more likely to be a musical one.
Ms Stone's choice of material is just a little too far to the left of the mainstream to
have guaranteed her a place in the pantheon of great soul divas.

Uncompromising quality lays at the heart of her previous three releases and
'The Art Of Love And War' is no exception.

The warm, laid-back, velvety quality of her voice imbues all 14 tracks of this
splendid little album with a soft golden sheen.
Her tone, phrasing and the fluid elegance of her ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Lost And Found

by: Ledisi

Release Date September 24, 2007
This is one of the best soul/r&b albums I have purchased during the last 5 years! I like ALL of it! And the truth is that after "discovering" Ledisi, I was sure that she wouldn't disappoint me on this one! I believe she is one of the most talented and promising singers out there right now and this album proves that she is not just another "good singer", she a lot more... She is full of positive energy and she pours that into her songs so effortlessly! You go girl!!!
And to you people: If you like quality soul/r&b music with a touch of jazz, then you should definitely get this!

CD-Charts Position 3
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The Platinum Collection

by: Chaka Khan

Release Date July 24, 2006
Chaka Khan was at her height between 1978 - 1985 in the UK, during that period she had 4 top twenty hits. Her first hit was the disco smash I,m Every Woman which charted at #11. Discotheques across the land could be heard playing this track with its orchestrial influence. Strangely enough when remixed and re-released it reached #8. Her #1 hit I Feel For You plus Remix versions of This Is My Night #14 and Eye To Eye #16 a full eight and a half minutes worth are also here. Yvette Marie Stevens to give her her maiden name started out with the 1970,s funk band Rufus and included on this cd is my personal favourite Aint Nobody which i had on 12inch vinyl way back in 1983. The rest of the album contains 4 lesser hits in the UK from later albums ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) - UK Edition

by: Erykah Badu

Release Date March 03, 2008
Not me, and not Erykha Badu! If you want an album of songs that are designed to be radio friendly, then go and buy Mary J Blige's lasy album (or any of them really?). EB ROCKS! Listen to her albums:

Baduizm - totally chilled, laid back grooves, spine tinging stuff
Mama's Gun - Late night funk, sexy, tripping
Worldwide Underground - Get ready to go out with this, summer day, sexy
New Amerykah Part One - Pure hip-hop, sexy, difficult, loud, slightly dangerous, controversial

I can't pick a favourite EB album, as I get more excited and more surprised with every release. This latest didn't dissapoint. After just one listen, I realised that it sounded like nothing I have ever heard before.

I admit, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol.3

by: Jill Scott

Release Date October 08, 2007
I have had this album for a little while but deliberately refrained from reviewing it immediately. As with all of Ms Scott's albums, this is like a fine wine. Leave it for a bit and after each listen it gets better and better. When I first listened to it I thought this album was a little too mellow, but having divorced her long-time partner that's no surprise really. She IS a tad graphic on songs like 'All I' (one of my favourites... it's perfect for lovers), but she is speaking of the feelings felt when in love and not just about sex. I LOVE Jill Scott. She tell's it like it is and with the ups and downs of life I can't see JS running out of stories to share with the world. Hopefully Ms Scott's recent engagement will give her plenty of good things to sing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Lay It Down

by: Al Green

Release Date May 26, 2008
An improvement over "I Can't Stop" and "Everything's OK". Excellent collaborations. Still not quite as good as his work in the 1970s (is Al Green the top male soul singer ever ?). Recommended to old and new fans.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Tales from the Beach

by: Incognito

Release Date May 05, 2008
After "Bees And Things And Flowers," I was so looking forward to "Tales" (and maybe that was the problem)that I almost ripped the cd out of the posties hands.

But after a couple of listens I was ready to consign it to the "looks like they are on the downslope" section of my cd collection.The more laid back acoustic groove of what I thought was merely a stop gap release in "Bees....." remained and I was left thinking, where had they left their funkiness?

HOWEVER......I am happy to report I was very very wrong. Having stuck with it "Tales..." is actually a very mature collection of songs from a band who are at the top of their playing/singing abilities. The first 7 tracks demonstrate what the album is all about - the songs aren't as immediate ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Wines and Spirits

by: Rahsaan Patterson

Release Date September 24, 2007
Now this is what I'm talking about. An Artist that's willing to take risks and not go with the road well traveled. Isn't it ironic that to do this Mr. Patterson had to step out of the major league area, and go the independent route. My advice, as many have stated in their reviews, is to give this CD some time. I can now listen to this Cd and be moved by an artist at ease with himself. 3 years in the making, this CD is well worth the wait. My favorites are: 'Cloud 9','Delirium (Comes And Goes)'Feels Good', 'No Danger', 'Water', 'Stop Breaking My Heart',Deliver Me, and 'Time', which I have this discovered. And that's the thing; repeated listening really does bring its own rewards. An artist at ease with himself, and his craft.

CD-Charts Position 9
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I Am

by: Chrisette Michele

Release Date June 18, 2007
Wow I'm gobsmacked this young lady has it all. At times she sounds like a young Ledisi and this has to be a great thing. One of the best female voices to appear over the last few years and I should know because no one loves the female voice more than I do! This album should appeal to all who loves music.

CD-Charts Position 10
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As I Am

by: Alicia Keys

Release Date November 19, 2007
Cracking album,better even than the last studio album! Alicias vocals never fail to stir the emotions and even though she doesnt always hit the top spot in this country,that's no reason to give her the wide shoulder.

Superb,quality vocals saturate every track and are full of emotion rather than being just technically perfect.

Standout tracks for me include the unbelievably fantastic Superwoman,the punchiness of No One and the old school soul of Where Do We Go From Here.

I suspect Alicia will be around for a good while yet!