Usher: Raymond v. Raymond- Album Review

Released: March 30th, 2010

Born Usher Raymond IV, but going by his self-titled stage name Usher, He grew up in Dallas, Texas, but spent most of his childhood in Chattanooga, due to a family relocation. When he was just 9 years old, his mother put him in his church choir in Chattanooga, but it was grandmother who noticed his vocal talent. After they realized the ability he had, his family moved into the big city of Atlanta, Georgia, believing it would provide him with better opportunity. His early music endeavors included participating in a RnB vocal quartet called "NuBeginnings", and performing on the TV show Star Search, where he was finally discovered by the A&R representative from LaFace Records, who connected Usher with the founder of LaFace Records, L.A. Reid. His self -titled debut album was released three years after he was signed on August 30th, 1994. He has since taken off with his success on his albums "My Way" in 1997, "8701" in 2001, "Confessions" in 2004, and now his most recent installment this year with "Raymond v. Raymond". The album is solid from start to finish with tracks like "Daddy's Home" featuring Plies, "Mars vs. Venus", "Papers" and "Making Love (Into the Night)", and also recently peaked at #1 in the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Hip-Hop albums.

Boyz II Men: Love-Album Review

Released: November 24th, 2009

After two decades of being together, the R&B vocal group from Philadelphia, Boyz II Men decided to switch things up with their 2o09 covers album in "Love". The foursome is made up of Nathan Morris, Michael McCary, Shawn Stockman, and Wanya Morris, and is the best-selling male R&B group of all-time. With this installment being a covers album, I am confident the group exhibited their true talent by going outside their own comfort zone, and trying to tackle other artitsts' classics. Even jumping into different genres with their own rendition of Lonestar's "Amazed" and the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris", they answered with their own harmony to fit the bill. My favorite covers they attempted on the album were Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me", Chicago's "If You Leave Me Now", and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time".

The-Dream: Love vs. Money- Album Review

Released: March 10th, 2009

Born Terius Youngdell Nash, but better known by his music stage name of The-Dream, he was raised by his grandfather in Atlanta. He didn't hit his stride singing and performing until 2001, when he met producer Laney Stewart, who helped him find a record deal. His early career then began while working on Nivea's second album "Complicated", and helping to write and produce Rihanna's smash hit "Umbrella" in 2007 with Chris "Tricky" Stewart, Laney's brother. This work with Rihanna helped propel him to a record deal with Def Jam Recordings, and then release his debut album "Lovehate" later in 2007. He later followed up that release with his sophomore album " Love vs. Money" in 2009. This album is pretty solid from start to finish. Compared to his first album, it is way more upbeat which I think will serve him well in his future endeavors. The first album seemed to not have as many collaborations, which I think is where he shines. My favorite track off this album was "Right Side of My Brain", which is a slower track but has a melody that never gets old. Some other good tracks are "My Love" featuring Mariah Carey, and "Rockin that Shit". And again, this album peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums for 2009.

Day 26: Forever in a Day- Album Review

Released: April 13th, 2009

After being solely selected by Sean "Diddy" Combs at the end of MTV's Making the Band 4, the group of Robert Curry, Brian Andrews, Willie Taylor, and Michael McCluney made up the group Day 26. The group name is a tribute to the day their debut album was released on March 25th, 2008. They had quickly gone from unknowns to stars. MTB 4 came back to MTV for a follow-up season that followed the group through the recording process of their second album "Forever in a Day". This album is a great follow-up to their debut album "Day 26" which peaked at #1 in the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums. This album also peaked at #1 and is smooth from start to finish with songs like the hit "Imma Put It On Her" featuring P. Diddy, and Young Joc, and "Truth is a Lie". The group is in the process of working on a third album with their newly joined label Atlantic Records.

Mario: D.N.A.- Album Review

Released: October 9, 2009

Growing up in the working-class neighborhoods of Baltimore, Mario Barrett was raised by his grandmother, because his own mother struggled with drug addiction. He realized his own talent at the young age of four, telling himself he wanted to become a singer. His mother supported his dream by buying him a karaoke machine. His dedication to pursuing a music career was never in doubt as he joined a music group in high school. The basis for all his melodies and singing was his talent for playing the piano. He was quickly discovered by music producer Troy Patterson at a college talent show. After attending high school up to the tenth grade, he was inspired by his music teacher, and ended up signing with J Records in his early teen years. This fourth installment from Mario entitled "D.N.A." was just an average work for me. It has some good slow tracks such as "Stranded", "I Choose You", and " Don't Walk Away". To me, the upbeat tracks are where his vulnerability is shown. Songs like "Break Up", and "Get Out" are just par to me. But don't take it from me, this installment peaked at #2 in the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop albums, which is two spots higher than his last album.

Chris Brown: Graffiti- Album Review

Released: December 8th, 2009

Born in Virginia with that southern swagger, Chris Brown was introduced to soul music at a young age. He grew up listening to all the soul albums his parents owned, but as time went on, he began to stray into the hip hop world. Using inspirations such as Michael Jackson, he taught himself how to be a top notch performer through his singing and dancing. He started out singing in his church choir and at lots of different talent shows. The reality of the vocal talent didn't hit Brown's parents until he busted out by doing his own rendition of Usher, but they quickly did everything they could to get him signed. Brown rapidly entered the scene with what he could, doing his recordings with local labels. He was quickly discovered though by Tina Davis, the senior A&R executive at Def Jam Recordings. She loved his singing at knew Brown was one in a million, he was now signed with Def Jam. The label circus for Brown didn't end there as the agreement with Def Jam lasted only two months. With Brown losing his spot with Def Jam, and Davis losing her job to a corporate merger, Brown did the only thing he could do and asked Davis to be his manager. She quickly turned him to labels like Jive and Warner Bros. Brown made a quick decision, choosing Jive due to their success with young artists. The third installment from him entitled "Graffiti" has grown on me since it was released. At first when I listened to it, the album as a whole sounded very monotone. I quickly realized this album had a lot more to offer. With upbeat tracks like "Wait" featuring Game and Trey Songz, and the hit "I Can Transform Ya" featuring Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz, and slow, heartfelt songs like "Crawl", "I'll Go", and "Take My Time" featuring Tank, the complete work is really a masterpiece encompassing all of Brown's talent. The album peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop, need I say more.

Sterling Simms: Yours,Mine and the Truth- Album Review

December 21st, 2008

Growing up listening to the sounds of Sam Cooke, and being inspired by a former musician in his own grandfather, Sterling Simms was meant to be a music star. After struggling early in his career, he began to focus more on writing and producing music than in performing it himself. But everything changed when he met up with producer Teddy Bishop. Bishop was quickly impressed by his work, and convinced him to continue to strive to become a performer. Doing performances for groups of music executives, he soon found his stride. With record companies like Atlantic and Warner Bros. interested in signing all he had to do was choose. While he was waiting to be signed by those labels, he went to the VMA's and connected with music industry legend George Robinson. Robinson love his work, and Simms quickly signed with a company called One Recordings, recommended by Robinson. Soon after signing with One Recordings, Simms met up with L.A. Reid at Island/Def Jam, and they signed a deal with One Recordings to make the switch for Simms. He soon finished his debut album "Yours,Mine and the Truth with Def Jam. The album, for me was great from start to finish. Every track is a smooth combination of great lyrics and rhythm. Some suggestions from the album would be "Let Her Go", "DUI(80 on the Freeway)", the hit single "All I Need", and "She Should Be Thanking You". The album debuted at only #100 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums, but peaked at #89 two weeks later.

Trey Songz: Ready- Album Review

August 3rd, 2009

Born Tremaine Aldon Neverson, but better known by his stage name Trey Songz, he was raised as a military brat early on, but came to realize his vocal talent at age 14. He was actually a little nervous at first to even sing, but soon was discovered at a talent show by record producer Troy Taylor and he was quickly signed to Atlantic Records. He never went to college, and moved to New Jersey to begin his singing career. This particular installment from him entitled "Ready" is well-produced from beginning to end. Each song flows well with the rest, and the album itself seems almost in sequence. Some suggestions from the album I would recommend are "Neighbors Know My Name", I Need A Girl", "Say Aah", and "LOL :)". This was a great effort from him, I feel like after his sophomore album "Trey Day" this was a step up.

R. Kelly: Untitled- Album Review

December 1, 2009

For R. Kelly, singing began at age 8, while he would attend church. He began street performing as a teenager, and ended up winning the "Big Break" in 1989 with Marc McWilliams, Vincent Walker, and Shawnth Brooks. R. Kelly didn't start out as just a solo artist, he was a part of groups such as MGM and Public Announcement. He was quickly signed in 1991 to Jive Records. R. Kelly's music career was a huge success right from the beginning with his debut album "12 Play" being certified Gold by the RIAA. His success continued when he released his third album " R. Kelly", which earned 4x multi-platinum from the RIAA. In 1998, R. Kelly released a double album "R." which by 2003 was 8x multi-platinum. Also in 2003, R. Kelly released his album "Chocolate Factory", which sold over three million copies. His album "Double Up" in 2007 wasn't a huge success. He tried to release an album called "12 Play: Fourth Quarter" in 2008. It was not officially released, but came out online. His most recent album, Untitled is a great mix of slow and upbeat R&B. This is really a great album from start to finish, every track has its own flavor.

Upcoming 2010 R&B Album Releases

Usher: Raymond v. Raymond- March 30th, 2010

Jamie Foxx: Body- now set to release in May 2010

The-Dream: Love King- May 17th, 2010

Jagged Edge: The Remedy- May 18th, 2010

Jaicko: Can I- pushed back from Jan 26th, 2010

Akon: Stadium Music- 1st quarter of 2010...

Brutha: Vacancy- 2010

Jackie Boyz: The Beginning-Album Review

Released: April 28th, 2009 (U.S.)

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, brothers Steven and Carlos Battey had their love for music instilled in them by their mother Jackie Battey (R.I.P.) Inspired by their mother, their name now carries a tribute to her with The Jackie Boyz. They began their singing career performing down at the River Street Pier in Savannah. They have since moved to Los Angeles, and have been seen performing on the streets there and also down at the Santa Monica Pier. Since moving to L.A., their music career has taken off, becoming platinum songwriters with hits like Flo-Rida's "Sugar", and Justin Beiber's "Down to Earth", while also releasing their own debut album "The Beginning", they have blown people away with their talent. Working with the Baby G Music label, their debut album "The Beginning" is a mixture of slow to middle r&b and club bangers. The album uses a lot of electronic sounds and effects in its beats, while also sticking out with more common instruments like pianos and drums. Some suggestions for some slow to middle r&b on the album would be "Ships and Planes", "Cross Country", and "Now That I'm Here". As far as club bangers go, it would have to be the song called "Topless", which features a rapper named Souljah 100. The album hasn't produced any radio hits due to a early album release in Japan and not being sold in U. S. stores besides through Itunes , but keep an ear out, these Boyz are here to stay.

Omarion: Ollusion- Album Review

Released: Jan. 12, 2010

Omarion's newest work was a huge shock to me. I always loved his voice, but didn't believe his songs in his past albums showed his true potential as an artist. Granted, he did have a couple hit songs in " O" from his debut album "O" in 2005, and "Ice Box" from his second album "21" in 2006. But since that time he hadnt been making a lot of noise. Omarion's "Ollusion" features a reasonably up-beat hit in " Speedin" which appears to have some sort of symphony orchestra effect in the beat along with some piano and maybe drums. Some other smooth tracks on the album include "What Do You Say", "Temptation", and "Sweet Hangover". This trio of tracks is a combination of nice beats with extremely well-written lyrics. I firmly believe that this album for Omarion really shows his complete package, and the fact that this is only his 3rd individual album release speaks volumes on his steady improvement, especially in the last 4 years.