We continue to salute Black Music Month by recognizing seven CDs in the pop, rap and rock genres by African-American artists. Some of these releases were multiplatinum sellers, while others never got any spins. Regardless, BV Blogger Jawn Murray chose these seven CDs as the projects every music lover must add to their music library.
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L
enny Kravitz 'Greatest Hits' (Virgin/2000): He's the most successful Black rocker in modern times and 'Greatest Hits' highlights just how dynamic Lenny Kravitz's music anthology really is. From the kick of 'Are You Gonna Go My Way,' to the steamy 'It Aint Over til It's Over,' Kravitz blends rock, funk, R&B and some occasional pop together for a unique blend that has garnered the rocker countless hits. There are edgy ones like 'Rock 'n' Roll Is Dead' and 'Mr. Cab Driver,' and the radio-friendly stuff like 'Fly Away' and Kravitz's cover of Guess Who's 'American Woman.' On hits like 'I Belong To You' and 'Heaven Help,' the genre-blurring singer delivers like an R&B crooner. 'Let Love Rule' channels The Beatles, while 'Black Velveteen' is a techno-laced dance track. In the end, 'Greatest Hits' features 15 of Kravitz's biggest and best.
Michelle Williams' 'Unexp
ected' (Columbia/2008): After two gospel music releases, Michelle Williams made her solo debut in the pop arena with a techno-charged collection of dance and pop tunes that lived true to the album's title. The critically-acclaimed disc was led by the chart-topping dance record 'We Break The Dawn,' but before the CD hit stores many of its other tracks including 'Stop This Car,' 'Private Party' and the CD's second single, 'The Greatest' had all leaked online. Regardless, the former Destiny's Child member's energetic 'Hello Heartbreak' rivals any number one hit released by Lady GaGa; while the urban-tinged 'Hungover' is a hip-hop friendly joint that was a far cry from the sacred songs Williams belted before. Though 'Unexpected' was likely the most overlooked CD of 2008, the party anthems Williams recorded are timeless and still worth visiting.
Cee-Lo's 'Cee-Lo Green is the Soul Machine' (LaFace/2004): Before Cee-Lo was recording alternative pop anthe
ms in the duo Gnarls Barkley, the former Goodie Mob rapper had released several solo offerings, the best of which was 'Cee-Lo Green is the Soul Machine.' The CD is a clever fusion of Cee-Lo's soulful hip-hip and his deacon-at-a-Baptist-Church style of singing. Feel-good tracks like 'All Day Love Affair' and 'Living Again' are infectious sing-a-long songs that are an ode to 70s soul. Washington, DC-bred go-go music gets a nod on the percussion-heavy Timbaland-produced 'I'll Be Around.' There are dirty south club records like 'Glockapella,' the psychedelic 'Childz Play' and smooth summertime sizzlers like 'My Kind of People' -- all are a kaleidoscopic of renderings thread together by Cee-Lo's unique vocal delivery. The hip-hop superstar defines himself and sums up the CD best on his track 'I'm Selling Soul,' when he says: 'I've yet to define myself as one thing.' This CD is many things and all of them are good!
Kina's 'Kina' (Dreamworks/2000): Former Brownstone member Kina had all the makings for superstardom = A big voice, the energy of Tina Turn
er, angry album undertone and über-manager Benny Medina (Jennifer Lopez/Mariah Carey). Unfortunately, despite the catchy rock single 'Girl From the Gutter' – a song that was allegedly an in-your-face dis to her former group members – Kina's debut opus never really caught on. Disappointing since the CD boasts 11 top-notch tracks of soulful rock numbers backed by Kina's gritty soprano. Ballads like 'Have A Cry,' 'Give and Take' and the lullaby-esque 'Still Here' allow Kina's R&B roots to shine. But it's the big rock numbers like 'Stop,' 'U Don't Know' and 'I Love You' where Kina really shines! This self-titled CD is a must-have.
Guru's 'Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul' (Virgin/2000): They say the third time is the charm, and if Guru's t
hird installment of his 'Jazzmatazz' series is a reflection of that – then the saying is true! Blending bonafide hip-hop with eclectic soul and R&B, 'Jazzmatazz, Vol 3' is a musical match made in heaven. The late Gang Starr rapper partnered with Angie Stone on the finger-snapping 'Keep Your Worries,' then channeled the jazz ingénues of yesteryear with Erykah Badu on 'Plenty.' R&B crooner Donnell Jones helped illustrate a hood story on 'Hustlin' Daze,' while neo-soul singer Bilal got funky on 'Certified.' Guru continued to bridge the gap of rap and soul on the 16 track disc, which featured additional collaborations with Kelis, Isaac Hayes, Les Nubians, Craig David, Macy Gray, Herbie Hancock and Amel Larrieux. An innovatively brilliant concept by a hip-hop pioneer.
Queen Latifah's 'Persona' (Flava Unit Records/2009): As a recording artist, Queen Latifah has a proven track record in hip-hop and jazz. Her most recent CD,
'Persona' is a genre-blurring fusion of pop, R&B, hip-hop and reggae. Its first single 'Cue the Rain,' is an energetic party anthem made for pop radio. And though Latifah easily delivers on fellow pop numbers like 'Fast Car' and 'My Couch,' she's just as impressive on R&B joints like 'Runnin' and 'What's The Plan.' The Grammy winner returns to her rap roots on tracks like 'Long Ass Week' and 'People,' which features Mary J. Blige, showing despite evolving into a Hollywood juggernaut, she has not lost her lyrical flow. Latifah's 'Persona' captures many personalities, but her many faces make for a musical gumbo with a lot of flavor.
Craig David's 'Trust Me' (Warner Bros. Int'l/2007): British soul wunderkind Craig David rose to stardom in 2001 the
U.S. with his debut multiplatinum CD, 'Born to Do It.' He followed that with the gold-certified 'Slicker Than Your Average' a year later and has not dropped a U.S. release since. In 2007, David released 'Trust Me' in the U.K. and the CD was available via iTunes in the U.S. in 2008. The eclectic collection of pop, R&B, guy-next-door hip-hop is as impressive as his earlier releases. He channels the 80s with the tracks '6 of 1 Thing,' 'Friday Night' and the David Bowie-sampled 'Hot Stuff (Let's Dance).' The track 'Just A Reminder' is an urban adult contemporary smash, while the song 'Awkward' featuring Rita Ora is an ode to the neo-soul glory days. Overall, 'Trust Me' is solid sampling of music genres that ultimately allows David's underrated vocal prowess to shine.
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Check out Jawn Murray's picks for the '7 Soul CDs You Must Revisit' as a part of AOL Black Voices' Black Music Month's specials.
Black Music Notes Mar. 19
3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'
Getty Images
3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'
Jemal Countess, WireImage
3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.
Evening Standard / Getty Images
3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.
Santiago Llanquin / AP
3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.
Zomba
3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.
Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic
3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'
Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images



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By: Vickiss on 6/09/2010 11:45AM
Why isn't "Lord Willin'" by the Clipse on this list?
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