Poet, soul shiner Jill Scott is the female to neo-words and sounds, opening up album 5 with band like march drummins on political “Let It Be”. As she has always made evident during live stage of which I managed to witness back at the Carling Brixton Academy 2005, her vocals can just about fit any bill.

Rock n roll for number “The Real Thing”, blending nicely... “Celibacy Blues” as the song headlines is Miss.Scott singing the blues, about stresses of this world, relating to each and one of us. Her quick poetic punch lines on “Breathe” would gather crowds, placing her within the mc fields and bigging up her hometown of North Phillie. Boxed with that are tracks such as “Hate On Me” (fighting back at the haterz, empowering any listener), “Epiphany” (where Jill brings sex to its full graphic potential- sticky, sweaty like Vol.1s “Exclusively”. Others to love, setting as classics and the crown jewels to this real piece are: “How It Make You Feel”, “Crown Royal” and “Whenever You´re Around”.

This deluxe edition on review contains 2 bonus tracks such as groovey “Rightness”, with a hell of a right to release this CD/DVD combo, making a short videography of her build up works to Vol.3 with music videos from the beginning on "Long Walk" to now. Apart from her musical achievements, Jill has also moved from chick on the block to sophisticated chinchilla wearing songstress.

Words by Daniella V Robbins

New acts appear every other day, being advertised as the best newcomer or album of the year, with a mention in the media, yet are forgotten from one week to another as one hit wonders, but Southern country boy, Kevin Michael is about to step up to the frontline.

If you are unfamiliar with this 22 year-old, he is a soul/funk/r&b/pop trifle, signed to DownTown Records, debuting with his self-titled brand spanking new album Kevin Michael, he´s a definite new neo-soul. “We All Want the Same Thing” is his first single, a gospel/acoustic talk on the world and the imbalance of power relations, giving the feel for movement and change with cartoon mc Lupe Fiasco at side. Songwriter Kev manages to raise still exisitng social issues of race & love on a Carribean riddimed track, with Fugees no more, Wyclef Jean´s input line on chorus “1Love”. “Can´t Get Enuff” is as catchy as the one you helplessly just can´t get enough of, followed by “Ha Ha Ha”, using the YingYang´s Whisper Song concept, but switching it up with Kev´s vocals and lullaby twinkle instrumentals, bringing on a midnight sweat. Both “Vicki Secrets” and “Liquid Lave Love” prove Kev as a lady grabber and highlight his high noted D´Angelo traits, then slowing it down for us on r&b jammer “Love Letter.”

Michael sparks his creative juices on his pure afro-pop “Ain´t Got You”, with slight scratching in the background, an entrance of violins are wired in for the more classical side within him. Lastly, ridiculous is the word to describe the strings and Latin beats on funky timer “Stone Cold Killa”, plus for a rap on the tracklist, with Q-Tip´s appearance on “Too Blessed”. Spread word for youngstar Kev.M- see this talent creep up onto our radiowaves!

Words by Daniella V Robbins

A very highly anticipated album and with its debut at number one in the US charts, there is a buzz about Musiq that we havent really seen before. The hype being the single B.U.D.D.Y was always going to make the album sell well but I must admit to being taken aback when I heard this reached the top spot.

So how does it shape up? Well it's hard to say at this early stage as I have to admit to being rather disappointed with the older Musiq albums on my first listen. After a month or so and some heavy rotation in the cd changer, they are all very important albums in the collection without any of them in the "classics" pile.

So after 3 years away, Musiq goes back to what made his name in the neo-soul genre - it is no coincidence that his biggest hit to date "Just Friends" has been taken to the next level with the massive "B.U.D.D.Y" .

Lets talk about a few standout tracks here. I'm feeling "Millionare", "Ridiculous" and "Lullaby" and what is clearly going to be the next single "Teach Me". The track that gets the V vote of confidence though is "Ms Philadelphia"

I must say it has hit me just as the other albums did and will take some listening to but there is no doubt Musiq Soulchild is back.

Normally like anything from Amp Fiddler, definitely my kind of thing.  After taking a few minutes to convince myself that the two sides of the vinyl were at different speeds, worked out I'm feeling the normal (or extended) version, but cant think of a way I could slot something of this sound (and speed) into a club set, which is a shame. The remixes on the flip do nothing for me at all, I'm afraid.

Much less my style but everything with Common on it is gonna get my attention.  Played on radio yesterday and received a very good reaction from the UK hip hop listeners.  Not a club tune for me, can't really squeeze that into any of my sets.

V

Well Hello!  Now I'm not the kind of guy that just goes nuts out of anticipation alone, it has to prove itself to me.  This is nice, pretty much all the way through.  Great instrumentation and that "Omar" sound is apparent in every track.  Keep you interested by varying the speed and there aren't two tracks you could get confused with each other. 

My stand out tracks are - Lay It Down (although would've been better without Estelle), Stylin, and for me the monster is Feeling You - Why on earth is that not the single!  

My radio peeps are feeling Gimme Sum for obvious reasons, and anything with Common on it will do for me! Radio Play all day long!  This will be a featured album on the show. I'm sure I can use the above tracks in club sets too.  My crowds wont go nuts, but they'll love it and dance to it, and probably wont even know who it's by.  LOVELY!

Really feeling Nate James, and I when I heard this track a couple of weeks ago I thought (and was told) it was his track.  Really simple tune, easy going beat - it's almost 'late' or 'lazy'.  Really is my cup of tea, although radio reaction was indifferent (they will have more chances to grow to like it!)

Really not my thing, and I believe sounds like pretty much everything out there at the moment.  For a lo-fi guy like me doesn't push any buttons.  Redeeming features - a few clever lyrics and decent production.  No Radio or Club Play for me.

Much more a bit of me.  Always looking for "well-sung" soulful upbeat stuff and I think Angie works well on the track.  Nice funky bongs and tweets over it.  Sits nice lets to a lot of records in my warm up bag and will try on radio on the weekend.

V

Always been impressed by the production in the past although its a bit leftfield for my usual tastes.

This particular track doesn't over inspire me that much, neither do other of the remixes.  Although been playing Thy Lord Remix mostly. Quite easy to forget it to be honest.

Track on the CD called Tell Dem Ras has really nice drums on it.  Great funky breaks. Prefer this to the A Side

Nice set with all sorts on there.  Some Lo-fi, timbaland sounding stuff - good rap, fast / slow, good variation on the album.

But I'm Concentrating on the L Marie tracks here.

One of these artists that I feel sometimes "over sings" if you know what I mean - but then I think Mary J can be guilty of that most of the time so what do I know.  Some wicked production here but I can't help but feel some of the tracks aren't suited to the voice.  Perhaps a different vocalist would've worked better. 

In My Mind and Already Fallen Will get radio play with that Lo-Fi Sound, prob my stand-outs - I'll let you know if I get any exceptional reaction good or bad

"That You Do" has a chance of getting some attention with the fact that "Kick Push" is in everyone's head at the moment.  Quite like this track.  Also a Nice Sample on "Do Your Thing"

This is one set that needs to be in the car for heavy rotation - lets give it a chance to grow on me!!!

Have to admit to not knowing much about these guys.   Seems they are sticking to some basic production principles and hoping the hook will do its job. "Love like this" is a decent track - tried this recently on radio although not had any public reaction to it.  My radio audience normally perk up when they hear any UK rapping but didn't get anything from them when I tried this.
"This is our time" has that inevitable hook which I assume is on all their tracks.  I find it difficult to take in tracks where the artists claim they are the "best in the world" etc etc.  Even bugs me when Jay Z does it, so you can imagine what I think of the lyrics.  Very catchy though!

Quite like it. Giving it a chance on radio as its got that lo-fi sound.  The thing I find is that the best UK stuff sounds like this at the moment.  Following the old US principle of cute hook with nice female vocalist it doesn't dissapoint.  Don't know much about this Angel J but I think (as with many tunes) the tune is nothing without the backing and her vocal (how many tunes can we say that about).  The rapper only spits two quick verses on it, and would probably be nice to hear a completely "sung" version.  What I'm trying to say is more impressed with her, than him!!!