Amazon.com

Early buzz on The Emancipation of Mimi had it that this would be the disc to mark "the return of the voice"—the voice being that glass-shattering instrument that propelled Carey to best-selling female artist of all time status—and mostly it is. But because of the small army of talent involved in its assembly, it's also way more than that. For straight-ahead, look-out-Beyonce-Mimi's-still-got-it reinforcement, try "Mine Again," a ‘70s-soul cuddle-up, "Circles," a soaring, don't-attempt-this-on-American-Idol love song, the gospel dazzler "Fly Like a Bird," and "Stay the Night." But for songs that steer this disc directly into 2005, no looking back, scan the jewel case for the tracks followed by the word "featuring": "To the Floor," with Nelly, bumps along to maximum booty-shaking effect, while Twista spins his natural-disaster-force vocal into "One and Only." Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, and Jermaine Dupri also pitch in; between them and the highwire vocals, Emancipation works the kind of pure-pop magic that sets us all free. --Tammy La Gorce

More from Mariah

Mariah Carey	Emotions	Music Box
Merry Christmas	# 1's	Glitter

... Read more

Reviews (533)

The Comeback
I love this album, the songs on here are very beautiful, well written and well produced, and there is not a single filler on this CD. This album was very well received by the general public and the singles are doing extremely well on the charts. The single "We Belong Together" became Carey's 16th #1 single which puts her 4 singles ahead of Madonna, who is in second place in terms of greatest number of #1 singles amongst female artists. The album opened its first week with sales of just under 404 000 copies, which is the biggest first week sales of her career, and it's currently still in the top 5. At first, I didn't like the debut single "It's Like That" because it was too hip hop influenced and she was singing things I would expect to hear from Beyonce or Ashanti. But after quite some time, the single grew onto me from frequent radio play and now, I love the song. "We Belong Together" grew on me instantly because it was a typical Mariah Carey ballad. All in all, this is a fantastic album, like Butterfly, and if you have to get one CD this year, get this one cause it is off the charts, literally!

Lovin' Ms. Mimi!
Alright, Mariah's back after an almost 3 year solo haitus, and she's come back with a vengence! It's Like That was a great intro to a great album! We Belong Together gets Mariah her 16th #1, how sweet is that? Then we have the next single & my favorite track, Shake It Off! The track is just so much fun, it's amazing! Mine Again is a wonder ballad! The Neptunes produced tracks Say Somethin' & To The Floor may not be signature Mariah, but they are very catchy. Stay The Night is so emotional, & Kanye did a great job producing it. Get Your Number, the fourth JD produced track, is another catchy song. After all that, the ballad-love songs begin to roll! Your Girl, Circles, & I Wish You Knew may be considered filler, but being that they are back to back, they just seem to fit! Next is Joy Ride, which is aight. Lastly is Fly Like a Bird, which is another beautifully, emotional gospel song. Love the part where she belts "I need the strenth of you to survive" before she hits that extra high note. And for those that even think she's copying anyone else in the industry (Beyonce...) Uh, 1 year of solo hits doesn't compare to 10+, so get real.

What can we say?
What is there to say about a woman that has been around for 15 years through heartache, heartbreak, triumph and pain.This album is slamming. ONE OF HER BEST. I have almost all of her CD's and this is one of the best.Her range alone speaks volume but her ability to write a song, compose it and produce it speaks higher.Many are a good singer but few can write and produce.Her octaves are breath taking and just her confidence in herself is enough. I remember the first day I heard Vision of Love in the early 1990's.I said who is this singing?I have been hooked every since. The songs I love are:We belong together, Circles, It's like that,Say Somethin (with Snoop), To the Floor (Nelly) and for those who need inspiration she ends it with Fly Like a Bird.I am a singer and if my career takes off, this is someone I want to mirror.God bless you Mariah, thanks for sharing your gift of song with us.Thanks to the good Lord above for blessing her with the gift of song.READERS go and buy it.One of the best albums for 2005.Tee

Great Job, Mariah :-)
This album is so refreshing for me. It's been so long since we've all heard Mariah Carey. And I'm excited to report that it was worth the wait. I LOVE her voice and always have. This is the best album of 2005 so far.

1. It's Like That (5/5)
2. We Belong Together (5/5)
3. Shake It Off (4.5/5)
4. Mine Again (5/5)
5. Say Somethin' (4.5/5)
6. Stay The Night (5/5)
7. Get Your Number (3.5/5)
8. One And only (5/5)
9. Circles (4.5/5)
10. Your Girl (4/5)
11. I Wish You Knew (5/5)
12. To The Floor (3.5/5)
13. Joy Ride (5/5)
14. Fly Like A Bird (5/5)

1.3 Million and Counting!!!
Mariah has sold 1.3 million copies of her wonderful album, "The Emancipation of Mimi." She is currently #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her smash hit "We Belong Together." Her 16th #1 to be exact. Mariah is breaking records and defying expectations. She is solidifying her place in history as one of the greatest singers ever. Thanks to great production and songwriting, "The Emancipation of Mimi" will surely stand out as one of her best. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of another great run. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The fact that Genius Loves Company will be Ray Charles's final new album inspires an unavoidable blue feeling. But it's also a happy reminder that the man spent the last months of his life at work. The overall effect of these dozen duets is not only autumnal, but smooth; Brother Ray is on point and cruising here. Fine moments abound--you can hear his delight even in the rather stiff company of Diana Krall and Natalie Cole. His voice sounds a bit frayed by ill health at times, but it also allows for great performances (the slyness behind the ache in his version of the old soul hit "Hey Girl" with Michael McDonald; a grand "Crazy Love" with Van Morrison). Potently, he and Gladys Knight also remind us of the continued timeliness of Stevie Wonder's "Heaven Help Us All." Its best moments make Company one more essential purchase for Ray Charles fans. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Amazon.com

Kem plays his soul-and-jazz-juiced R&B like a man who has lived through more than most of us, and indeed he has: As fans who have followed the back story since his 2003 debut, Kemistry, know, he's an artist who was once reduced to sleeping on Detroit park benches while battling addiction. With the release of Album II, though, the sad stories need circulate no longer—all that's required to get swept up, off, and away by these tracks is a taste for solid R&B minus the hip-hop sideshow. Coaxing vocal cords more pliable than the face of Jim Carey into unexpected directions, the Chaka Khan sound-alike—who also occasionally ventures into George Benson territory—showers tenderness over each of these songs, sauntering into some notes with suave sophistication and sneaking up on others. Though "I Can't Stop Lovin' You" is the song throwing sparks amongst the quiet storm crowd, check his stretchy tenor on "Into You" and "I'm in Love," both so deeply felt they'll send the lovelorn swooning. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (51)

Smooth as Smooth Gets
I never heard of this man before.I saw this album debut at number 1 on the R&B charts , so I was curious.I bought the cd by chance, and all i could say is "Beautiful".Some moments Kem sounds a bit like a soulful George Michael.At times the vocal styling is remarkably similiar.Of course, Kem is defiantly a bit more soulful and diverse.George Michael does well dabbling in jazz too, don't get me wrong.

thebest neo soul albums of all time
I haven't stopped listening to this CD since I got it about 3 days ago. Indeed, it's easily the best album I have. Buy the first album "Kemistry" and this one. (...)

Smooth Sailing
KEM is a rarity in millenium r&b music.He writes, arranges and produces his own songs without any help, and his albums have no samples, guest rappers or drum machines chugging in the background.The song titles on his second albums are about as original as the ALBUM II title, but Kem is one of the few artists whose music is so hypnotic, those cliches seem new.The best smoothies on this collection include "Heaven", "Into You", "Set You Free" and the inspiring "You Might Win" featuring a harmonica solo by the legendary Stevie Wonder.Only on "I Get Lifted", a cover of the old George McRae disco hit, is Kem out of his league.

Kem's music feature smooth Al Jarreau-like vocals, Sade instrumentation, gorgeous melodies, intoxicating chord changes, and top-notch musicianship.ALBUM II proves that you don't need a big name producer or cameo appearances by every rapper out there to make a great r&b album.

Kem II
I'm pleased with the new Kem II CD.It is everything I expected.

WOW
THIS CD IS FAR BETTER THAN THE FIRST, I LOVED THE FIRST ONE. THIS GUY ONLY GETS BETTER. THE ONE I PLAY OFTEN IS "I CANT STOP LOVING LOVE" AMAZING...... YES THIS IS A MUST HAVE....KEM KEEPS ON DOING IT. (...)

Greg Lassiter
www.misguidedproduction.com ... Read more

Amazon.com

Soul and r&b legend Ray Charles may not have lived to see the success of Hollywood's ultimate tribute to him, but director Taylor Hackford's biopic (featuring a landmark performance by Jamie Foxx as the musical legend) will further burnish his legacy as one of the cornerstones of contemporary American music. Though it stretches from 1953's ecstatic, proto-soul "Mess Around" to a sublime, bluesy live take of "Georgia On My Mind" recorded in Japan in the mid-70's, this 17-track song-score can only be an inviting appetizer to the singer's epochal body of work. Charles' artistry may have virtually defined soul music itself, yet it also triumphed in genres as far afield as blues blues ("Nightime is the Right Time") and country ("I Can't Stop Loving You," "Bye Bye Love") during the 60's, the impossibly rich era from which the bulk of this soundtrack is culled. Crucially, fully a third of the cuts here are live recordings -- including electrifying 1965 performances of "What'd I Say," "You Don't Know Me" and "Hallelujah I Love Her So" hand-picked for the film by Charles himself -- the forum in which the singer consistently operated on a whole other artistic plateau from mere mortals.-- Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Amazon.com

This double CD collects not only Brother Ray's best-known '50s and '60s singles, but some choice semi-obscurities (the 1953 jump blues "Mess Around," his 1959 cover of Louis Jordan's "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'") that earn their places next to "What'd I Say" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." The man's originality and infectious feeling bleed through on each of these 36 tracks, whether he's transforming "One Mint Julep" or "America the Beautiful" or collaborating (separately) with Willie Nelson and Chaka Khan. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (25)

I will get this double CD to remember Ray......
I recently read that Ray Charles had passed away. This collection will be something I will buy soon as a way to remember him. Ray Charles transcended many genres and could sing all of them so very well. He still wanted to continue making albums too. Much credit to the handlers for finding these 36 songs and compiling them all into one collection. I still love Hit The Road Jack, America the Beautiful, A Song for You, I'll Be Good To You and many others. His music still lives!

All Ray, All the Time . . .
What's he say? For black folks, white folks, grey . . . didn't matter to Ray. His gift and talent will be sorely missed. What a voice, what songs! Brother Ray was the inspiration for my starting an R&B group in LA back in '91. We jokingly wished for a radio station to play "all Ray, all the time." We didn't get that wish but we did learn "Shoulda Been Me" and "Let's Get Stoned." My warmest thoughts and prayers go out to Ray up there in that "Big Jam in the Sky," and to Ray's family. What a treasure-trove of sweet music he gave us! God bless Ray Charles!

the reviewer from california needs to check his/her history
Ray Charles was and still is one of the greatest musicians ever existed!!!!!!! He was also a great songwriter, arranger and producer and the person who wrote review from california needs to check his/her history BIG TIME!!!!!! Although I like "some" of todays artists, they can't TOUCH the chops of Ray Charles. Those cats out today aren't even in the same BALL PARK as "THE RAY"!!!!!!(PERIOD) Ray Charles influenced the musician in me that I am today!!!! Thank GOD for the gift of having such GENIUS that he WAS, IS and ALWAYS WILL BE!!!!!

Some People Can't Be Educated
The previous review of this great artist was written by someone who doesn't understand that genius comes in many forms. Interpretation is the source of musical performance. An artist need not write the music he performs. If that were the case, then we shouldn't listen to Mozart. The guy has been dead for centuries! In fact, considering some of the performers the previous reviewer mentioned, I'm not sure they should be writing or "singing" anything.

Ray Charles was a genius in interpretation of so many genres from gospel to country to blues to R&B to old-fashioned big band singing. He is an artist of the highest order and he will be missed.

This collection is outstanding in terms of the breadth of Ray's work. If you own one collection, buy this or the Ray Charles Anthology from Rhino Records

HE WILL BE MISSED
HE WAS A GREAT ARTIST I LOVED ALL HIS SONGS. HE WAS VERY GOOD SINGER SO I WILL MISS HIM VERY MUCH! GODS LOVES YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU RAY CHARLES YOU WILL BE MISSED! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Alicia Keys has more than lived up to the promise of her formidable debut Songs in A Minor, pushing beyond her flirtation with old-school soul and venturing into the modern world, even hiring Timbaland to guide her through the shoals of anthemic hip-hop on the breathless and funkified "Heartburn." Sounding like a hyperthyroid cheerleader, Keys unleashes a quirky sense of humor that no one even suspected she possessed. Her effortless singing on the beat-driven "Karma" is a wonder of sonics on this uplifting piece of pop philosophy, giving countless anxious woman hope that everything will work out as it's meant to, or on "Samsonite Man," where it won't.But despite her edgy styling and jazzy vocal posturing, Keys hasn't abandoned her love for old R&B and travels back in time, giving Gladys Knight's "If I Was Your Woman" a face lift it may not have needed, then turns around and recasts the song as the winsome and dramatic "You Don't Know My Name."But at its heart, The Diary of Alicia Keys is a gross misnomer. After listening to the disc, fans will know little more about the elusive diva than they did before, her lyrical style consistently more narrative than confessional. In fact, the title track doesn't delve into the singer's inner life, but instead is about a long-distance love affair, with Keys promising the object of her affection that: "I won't tell your secrets/Your secrets are safe with me/I will keep your secrets/Just think of me as the pages in your diary."--Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Reviews (207)

An average follow-up. (3.5 Stars)
I was by no means an Alicia Keys fan until I bought "Songs in A Minor" not long ago (yeah i was kinda late) & fell in love with her voice & style. So as soon as this album dropped, i had to get it.

Alicia Keys is more talented than any female in the business, with the exception of Christina Aguilera. She's pretty, smart, and won't take anyone's crap, & it comes off in her music. But "Diary..." lacked all that much versatility. There's only so far that a piano can take you.

"Diary..." is pretty bland. There are some great tracks: Karma, You Don't Know my Name, Dragon Days, (Harlem's Nocturne...an intro, i know), but then there are some bad ones: Diary, So Simple, Samsonite Man, etc.

This CD is pretty good, but for every good song, there's a bad one. Still, it's a solid buy, better than most of the garbage in our industry.

So I'd suggest picking it up, especially if you think commercial garbage like Britney Spears is music. This is what real music should sound like. It's not great (not even as good as Songs in A Minor), but it's not bad.

Alicia Keys - The Diary of Alicia Keys (J, 2003)
(3 1/2 stars)

Though I gave her first album a 4, Alicia Keys bypasses the sophomore jinx with this album (although so many people wanted to see her fail this time around). I liked "You Don't Know My Name" but it is so overplayed (like all of Alicia Keys' singles) that I just skip it while I play the album (moreover, the way she keeps saying, "baby, baby, ba-BY", starts to sound annoying). "If I Ain't Got You" is also a great song and "Diary" featuring Tony Toni Toné has great production. The promo song, "Streets of New York" featuring Nas and Rakim is supposed to be on here, but I'm glad it's not because the song is awful. There are also a few flaws like the "butchering a classic" moment, "If I Was Your Woman" over the Issac Hayes' "Walk On By" sample. At times self-indulgent, Alicia shows that she has talent, even though I don't know if it's worth all the praise that she's getting. Alicia's almost there: if she stops all that screaming and actually write some more mature songs, by album three she'll be ready for diva status. -EJR

one of the better albums of today's modern music
alicia keys is one of the more talented young artists of today with her melodic piano hooks, velvet-smooth voice and deep lyrics. She has really grown as a writer, pianist and artist overall on this CD and gives you that feeling old school motown music gives you with it's live instrumentation and soulful vocals. Standout tracks are Heartburn, If I was Your Woman, You Don't Know My Name, Diary, So Simple etc. This was what r&b music was about and should be about, buy immediately!

alicia keys
I thought this cd was great! All of the songs were put together perfectly. My favorite song is "If I aint got you." I think the lyrics are great. I actually just printed them out. The beat to this song is fabulous. I love how she uses her own experiences and puts them together to make this song. I think alicia keys has a great voice and I think she plays the pianno like no other person. Her pianno alone moved me. I taught my dance class a combination to this song. I was beautiful. I was very pleased with this cd. i hope she comes out with more cds just like this one. Thanks Alicia you're the best

I highly recommend this CD!
This marvelous album is the work of the great Alicia Keys. Jazzy, this album features some great instrumentation, which was masterfully mixed. Plus, the best part is simply Ms. Keys wonderful voice. I must admit that this is the first of her albums I have heard, so I cannot compare it to any of the others. But, unlike some reviewers, I found this to be a great album, one that I love listening to over and over again!

So, if you like great music, with that smooth jazz sound, then you will love this album - I did! My favorite track was the first, Harlem's Nocturne, but they are all good. I highly recommend this CD! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Amerie's 2002 debut, All I Have, found tough guys and urban sophisticates alike tangled up in the question of "Why Don't We Fall in Love?"It spawned a collaboration withNas, and ignited a cult of cool around black-Korean culture.With her exotic looks and draw-the-shades sound, the smoky-eyed chanteuse came by her frothy fan base fairly. With Touch she pulls through for a second exercise in sultry, solid sound. Two tracks on this disc grab hold instantly: "1 Thing" forges its way from an R&B-spiked pop place into rockier territory, and "Touch" taunts Amerie's more amorous disciples with an expert sexiness. Tucked in are Whitney Houston-esque pop pleasers and a collaboration with Carl Thomas, "Can We Go," that feels friendly and unforced; other songs hint at a Mary J. Blige influence that will serve Amerie well as she struts her way toward serious musician status. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (138)

Ameire is bettter than J-Lo and Beyonce!!!
I got this c.d at an store last weekend,and is very hot and
girly kind of. The songs that I like it so far is 1 Thing All I Need and another 1 Thing Remix with Eve in it. Watch out J-lo and Beyonce Kownles 'cause this girl got it!!!

The Ear and Eye Candy of 2005
Amerie is a very pretty girl.With that said, she doesn't have to rely on her looks to sell an album. The girl has a very nice voice, even at its thinnest. Her producers made a wise choice to aim Amerie towards the "ear candy" market with the likes of Beyonce and Ciara to some extent.Her looks don't hurt her, of course.

What is a shame is that Touch is selling very slowly.I think that if more fans knew what Amerie was singing she could be nearly as successful as her contemporary Beyonce.She uses the same formula, if may she is slightly less successful.Production is solid on this album and always accomadates Amerie's voice, which by the ways is where she does fall short compared to better singers such as Beyonce who has a very nice range.

"1 Thing" I think is the "Crazy In Love" for this year, considering it is produced by Rich Harrison, the same producer who had Beyonce rocking to those cymbals. "1 Thing" is an excellent summer song, but the difference between it and "Crazy In Love" is the fact that "1 Thing" has to grow on you.I admit when I first heard it I absolutely hated it.But I grew to really dig it.

"All I Need" will stick in your head for days if you let because it uses an incredibly catchy sample. It isn't a hit the caliber of "1 Thing". "Touch" is runner-up for best track on the album, a close runner-up.Lil' Jon pens this sexual awakening song in which Amerie talks about good girls wanting to be touched (you can use your own imagination).Again, does Lil' Jon ever produce a dud? "Talking About", "Come With Me", and "Just Like Me" are my other track picks, but they don't compare to "1 Thing" or "Touch".

This album is a fun album and it clearly serves its ultimate purpose.Ear Candy.Musically, it isn't the most innovative R&B album, but it is a strong, consistent release.Therefore"here's just 1 thing"... 4 stars!

Great Cd Amerie IS Back
This Cd Is a Great Seller . She Comes back with differen Beats.The Song With Carl Thomas Is A Nice Duet.

A MUST BUY
All I can say is WOW.This album reminded me how great R&B really is.I stopped listening a few years back because all the songs that started coming out sounded the same and did nothing for me.I never thought anyone could compare with Aaliyah.But Amerie!She's up there!I haven't heard great R&B like this in years!!!It's original and her voice is beautiful. Excellent beats, excellent lyrics. 1 Thing remix is great, but I really like Not The Only One, and I absolutely love Talkin' About.If you like good R&B, you'll love Amerie.If you still don't believe me, download 1 Thing remix and Talkin' About...I think you'll change your mind.I can't wait for her next album...I'm hooked!!!

I LOVE THIS ALBUM!!!
Amerie has my heart with her latest effort, "Touch", which is a far more up-tempo album than her last. "Touch" opens up with the horn and drum heavy "1 Thing." Amerie finds herself wailing over the powerful beats. Another ear opener is the title track. Produced my Lil Jon, Amerie speaks about getting alittle frisky. My personal fav on this album of great hits is the ballad, "Just Like Me." Amerie's voice has reached a new level and shows her growth as a young artist. This album is sure to be at constant play in your CD library, as it is mine! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Few would accuse Fantasia of a reluctance to abide by the wisdom that what you've got, you should flaunt, and the vocal gusto she slathers over her full-length debut gets partial credit for earning--and keeping--your attention. To a greater extent, though, the high-wattage help heaped over the Idol 3 champ and Patti LaBelle-sound-alike makes the disc dazzle. In addition to pitch-ins from Missy Elliott, who produced and co-wrote three tracks and busts out a two-snaps-up rhyme on "Selfish (I Want U 2 Myself)," Jazze Pha duets on the ultra-mod "Don't Act Right" and Jermaine Dupri wrote and produced the smolderer "Got Me Waiting." Surprisingly, though, it's not those tracks or even the Idol-propelled cover of the Gershwins' "Summertime" that will stick with listeners most. Instead, first single "Truth Is," a sweet, old-school R&B lament directed toward a lost love, and "Baby Mama," a spirited shout-out to hard-working single mothers, snare standout status with their from-the-gut authenticity. Keeping it real is what won Fantasia the hearts of millions on TV, and despite Free Yourself's likable slickness, it convinces that--hot commodity or no--she's not about to forget it. -Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Amazon.com

A CD is always more compelling when you know it's lifted from the artist's autobiography, and that's certainly the case with Confession, Usher's first record since 2001's 8701. The Atlanta singer's string of hits over the past decade have been decidedly PG-13 rated, almost veering towards teen pop, but he's changed all that on this co-produced offering, which he claims is "the real him." It would be too simplistic to just brand this record a break-up record, chronicling his public split with TLC's Rozonda "Chili" Thomas; it is that, but so much more. It would be more accurate to call this Usher's coming of age record, bridging the gap from boy to man, as he navigates the emotional fallout from the disintegration of his relationship, and the events that led up to it--real or imagined. But other than a guilty conscience, it seems unclear why Usher feels compelled to disgorge his secret life, as he documents his infidelities, transgressions, and emotional perfidy in the album's prodigious twenty one songs, that range from insinuating sultry R&B grooves to the decidedly crunky "Yeah," which pairs an insistent keyboard romp with Lil' Jon's assertive beats, and Ludacris' rather humid rhymes. --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Album Description

Digitally remastered double disc collection of one of the most celebrated women in Rock N Roll.Here are her best recordings from over 5 decades in the business, from the beginning with ex-husband Ike to her triumphant claw back to the top in the 80's and beyond, her star forever shines brightly in popular music.Includes 3 new previously unreleased recordings exclusive to this collection. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Faith Evans, wife of the late Biggie Smalls, has probably seen more sympathy in her 10 bumpy years in the recording business than she knows what to do with. But that doesn't curb our compulsion to cheer over her latest triumph, The First Lady, her debut release on Columbia after stepping away from Bad Boy Records, is a hoot-and-holler worthy affair that has nothing to do with misplaced pity. Out she storms on opener "Goin' Out Tonight" with Pharrell and Pusha T, thrusting her graceful but sturdy voice over a propulsive, hand-clappy beat. In the space of a single track, she's navigating the Motown-ish thumps and funky guitar riffs of the first single, "Again," to lay bare the facts behind her 2004 stint in rehab. Throughout, Evans' breathy voice seems incapable of jumping the groove—here's an R&B princess with a jazz diva's sense of timing—and on songs like "Mesmerized" she slinks into a ‘70s soul place that leaves us wishing we could time-travel together more often. Tacked to the end for fans who discovered Evans via theCoach Carter soundtrack is her collaboration with Twista from that film, the hip-hop track "Hope." --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (124)

Evans is The First Lady- 4 1/2 stars
Evans is way underrated as an R&B singer.Everybody needs to face that Evans is one of the best and most refined R&B vocalists out there.We take for granted her pipes and trytoo much to associate her as merely Biggie Small's wife.She is much more. She is what R&B is about.

The production on THE FIRST LADY is flawless.The album opens up with the Neptunes produced track "Going Out" in which Faith Evans talks about going out with her girls and having a good time.Then she follows up with the soul-sampled inspirational "Again" where Evans opens up about her problems.She lets it all out against Hip-Hop drum programming and the refined sound of soul guitars.

"I Don't Need It" is a nice listen as well with an 80s Pop sound or late 70s disco type feel.The winner for best ballad easily goes to Evans heartfelt masterpiece "Stop N Go".It is a brilliant piece of writing and vocals."Mesmerized" takes us back to the sound of soul. Later on, concluding the album is the beautiful "Hope" which is Twista featuring Faith Evans on vocals.This is nearly the perfect album.There is no one track that doesn't work well in particular.It is consistent and definitely deserves more recognition that it has been receiving.Evans is an incredible vocalist and we as listeners and critics definitely shouldn't take her for granted.4 1/2 stars.

First Lady
I bought this album the week it came out and must I say superb work. I love this album it is so soulful. This album is the record she was born to create. This album is about growth. Direct. Dramatic. Playful. Passionate. Rich with wisdom,sexy, and brimming with an undeniable passion. This album should be promoted because it is that good.

"Liked Big Faith Better"
I tried to listen to the whole CD but I kept skipping through tracks. I was totally disappointed with her CD. I mean,Faith's my girl and she can blow. I just don't know what happen with this one. She needs P.Diddy - Help Her Diddy Please! lol

The First Lady Is In Total Control!
Faith Evans is one of my favorite artists.She brings it and never fails to rip it up with her very hot vocals.I love this CD because she never faded out and got weak.Track after track she gave of her soul and you had no choice but to feel it.She adds different flavors with each song for a perfect blend to satisfy your appetite.Faith reminds me of what good music is all about. If I had to select acouple of favorite songs on here it would be Again ,& Stop N Go.On the track Again,I was feeling this because I think we all have done things that taught us a lesson and helped us grow from it. (hopefully)

This is a CD where as if you didn't like everything on it, you liked MOST of it which makes it money well spent.

The First Ladyleft me wanting to play it over and over, and that's what I did!

she is truly the first lady
I love faith evans voice. When she sing you feel the song. The first lady is one of her best albums so far. My favorite song on the album is again and mesmerized. This album is worth the money I would buy it again ... Read more

Amazon.com

Everyone grows up…even rappers. Pioneering female MC Queen Latifah shows a newfound level of maturity on The Dana Owens Album.A set of standards the rapper/actress decided to cover, the album features a host of jazz classics and R&B favorites.

Latifah is at her seductive best when playing the sultry siren on Al Green's "Simply Beautiful." With a little help from Green himself, Latifah's vocals slide over the warm, organ-drenched instrumental. The result is one that works today as well as it would have several years ago. Similarly, the big band-backed "Baby Get Lost" swings with bluesy groove that is pure nostalgia.

However, it's when Latifah mines more standard fare that the album seems to hita snag. Fans of James Moody's "Moody's Mood for Love" may want to skip Latifah's version as it misses the subtle perfection of the original. Her rendition of "I Put a Spell On You" doesn't falter, but it's not impressive either. It ends up being the kind of performance that finds you constantly waiting for more but never getting it. The same can be said for her cover of the Mamas & The Papas' "California Dreamin'."

That said, with Latifah's recent critically acclaimed turn in the film Chicago the timing for this album couldn't have been better. And with help from legendary producer Arif Mardin (Aretha Franklin), The Dana Owens Album is an interesting and impressive new chapter in the star's diverse career. --Rashaun Hall

Amazon.com Exclusive
Hear an exclusive audio stream of Queen Latifah’s "What Is This Thing Called Love."

... Read more

Amazon.com

Early buzz on The Emancipation of Mimi had it that this would be the disc to mark "the return of the voice"—the voice being that glass-shattering instrument that propelled Carey to best-selling female artist of all time status—and mostly it is. But because of the small army of talent involved in its assembly, it's also way more than that. For straight-ahead, look-out-Beyonce-Mimi's-still-got-it reinforcement, try "Mine Again," a ‘70s-soul cuddle-up, "Circles," a soaring, don't-attempt-this-on-American-Idol love song, the gospel dazzler "Fly Like a Bird," and "Stay the Night." But for songs that steer this disc directly into 2005, no looking back, scan the jewel case for the tracks followed by the word "featuring": "To the Floor," with Nelly, bumps along to maximum booty-shaking effect, while Twista spins his natural-disaster-force vocal into "One and Only." Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, and Jermaine Dupri also pitch in; between them and the highwire vocals, Emancipation works the kind of pure-pop magic that sets us all free. --Tammy La Gorce—this text refers to the standard edition.

More from Mariah

Mariah Carey	Emotions	Music Box
Merry Christmas	# 1's	Glitter

... Read more

Reviews (98)

This abum is whats up!....For real
Dont listen to all those negative reviews these haters are throwing out there.EMANCIPATION OF MIMI IS AMAZING!!.Dont burn it, buy it.I guarantee you will fall in love with it.Mariah is taking it back.Just when you thought she fell off.. BAM!.. she drops this album.I love all of the songs, especially the ballads, "Mine Again", "Circles", "I wish you knew"...etc.This is the type of album where you can related to every song.She is saying what you are feeling. Honestly, this is one album that I never get tired of listening to over and over again.

Mariah's return
Mariah Carey is back with a new album. It is safe to say it's better than her 2002 album CHARMBRACELET. I like the ballads a lot on this disc, including "Joyride", "Stay The Night", "Circles", "Mine Again", "I Wish You Knew", "We Belong Together", etc. The uptempo songs are good too including "It's Like That", "Shake It Off", "Get Your Number" etc. Overall a solid album from Ms. Carey.

She's Back To Doing Her Thing!
Finally, she's back.Mariah Carey's return to form is definitely welcomed, especially after horrible albums like Glitter, Rainbow, and Charmbracelet and her equally terrible movie Glitter.It's a relief when a legendary voice and talent like Diva Mariah Carey gets things going the right way.To help her on her path she enlisted top songwriter and producer Jermaine Dupri, as well as Babyface, Kayne West, The Neptunes, James Poyser and the Legendary Traxter ( yes THAT guy from the Twista cd's) as well as producing and writing some of the songs herself.She also gets help from popular rappers such as Snoop Dogg, Twista, and Nelly although they all take a backseat to Mariah's powerful voice.Mariah turns in arguably her best vocal performance of her career.Simply beautiful.The Ballads are sung with incredible passion and skill and the up tempo songs are done excellently.My favorite songs include the two lead singles It's Like That and We Belong Together, as well as Mine Again, One & Only, Circles, I Wish YOu Knew, Joy Ride, and Fly Like A Bird ( which is the best song on the album).The songwriting is often top notch and the production is spot on point.The Vocals, as said before are complete greatness.Her voice is so unique, angelic powerful, inimitable...whatever adjective you can think of that's good.Mariah Carey deserves all the recognition she gets because this is surely a great comeback album and classic for all ages.Congratulations to Mariah Carey for making arguably the best album of the year and arguably the best album of her career.Masterpiece.

0 Stars...
Mariah has lost it. She doesnt sound like she used to. All the high notes and overshouting has taken a toll on her, even further proving my theory that she wasnt formally trained as a vocalist before being signed (Christina Aguilera anyone?). We Belong Together is tolerable, but it wouldve sounded better if she sang it 10 years ago, when her voice was fresh and soulful. CHARMBRACELET had a good song on it (Through The Rain). The last good album she had was BUTTERFLY. Sorry but I just cant purchase Mariah albums anymore after this. I cant believe this album was a sucess. Her last one wasnt and deservedly so. Why is this doing so well? She overshouts everything and it gets annoying to the ears if you put the volume on at even a NORMAL LEVEL! You have to put the volume on low to drown out the shouting. There is nothing new or fresh on this album. Another reviewer was right--it sounds like RAINBOW and CHARMBRACELET b-sides. her lower range still sounds ok because she never used it much (and should have). If you want to waste your money, go ahead. Otherwise just buy We Belong Together on the internet.

Looooooove this album & MC.
GRAMMY MATERIAL!!!!!
There is no other like Mariah. It's like listening to an Angel sing. Her voice is unique from all the other power house female vocalists. It's powerful but at the same time has an innocence, softness, clarity, beauty, and tranquil quality that is so completely mesmerizing. She is unparalleled. This is why no contestant on AI has ever attempted to sing one of her songs. Mariah is simply untouchable. She is an amazing talent that can sing, but can also write & produce her own songs and has done so from the start of her career. She debuted at #1 her 1st week on billboard. As for all the haters.... screw'em....it's not worth wasting my time. I just skip over their reviews, because obviously they need hearing aids. First, I think this is the best album of her career. It's hard to decifer because I love them all, but MC has really hit the jackpot with this one. It's a real work of art that offers an assortment of beautiful ballads and addictive dance/club/R&B tracks. Her next single should be either "Mine Again", "Get Your Number", or "Stay the Night". As always her genuine & sincere lyrics are well written, mature, articulate, and conveyed with pure emotion. I also love the angel-like look of the cd cover. She looks absolutely beautiful. As I previously mentioned, I have alot of respect for Mariah because she is the only superstar songstress that utilizes every aspect of her talent in writing and producing her songs (w/ the exception of Christina[Stripped] who is beginning to). This cd is magnificent. GO BUY THE CD & LETS CONTINUE THE #1 REIGN ON THE CHARTS. GO OUT & GET IT NOW!!!!! YOU WILL LOOOOOOOOVE IT.....I'M BACK.... SHE HAS SLIPPED TO #2 ON THE BILLBOARD THE 2ND WEEK, WHICH IS STILL RESPECTFUL.... BUT WE NEED TO HELP HER REBOUND BACK TO # 1.....PASS THE WORD....WE HAVE TO SUPPORT HER.... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bobby Valentino, the first artist signed to Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Peace label, aims to inhabit the smooth-daddy lothario vacancy left in R&B by the long-absent R. Kelly (who, in his day, filled it for Luther Vandross, who filled it for Barry White). Though he lacks the vocal heat and instant magnetism of all those artists, there's a lot to like on this debut, the over-the-top attempts to insinuate himself into the fantasies of the opposite sex especially. The song titles—shameless to a one —say it all: "Lights Down Low," "Come Touch Me," "One Girl To Love." Subject matter aside, Valentino busts out a swoony vocal gift that, if not the stuff of legends, should serve him well on the R&B charts: shades of Stevie Wonder swim through "I'll Forgive You," a Winans influence wanders in on "Love Dream," and an old-school Coolio-style rap raises an edge around "Give Me A Chance." "Gangsta Love," with its "coke-bottle body/likes to get naughty" lyric, is a slimly veiled ode to freakiness, and it flicks up the fun factor. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (52)

I Think We All Can Use Some Bobby
Bobby Valentino is indeed a true R&B artists but like someone else mention Basic pretty much describes his music. The production here sounds repetive especially with "Tell Me" & "Slow Down". "Tell Me" sounds more like a Remix then the actually Remix. None the less the songs are very smooth and well produced. You can tell that he's dedicated because the album is very consistant. I think what Bobby need is to grow as an artists and there is nothing wrong with that because every artists need to grow at some point in time to mature and become better then before. I would still purchase the album because its good and it is better then alot of R&B albums out there plus Bobby is a true artist who enjoys what he do & thats the best kinda artists.

R&B cd for 2005
This cd really impressed me. Bobby Valentino really did a good job. This is a must cd for anyone who likes R&B. Bobby could have similar success to Usher in 2004 if he puts out the right singles and some touring. I'm not saying that he's anywhere close to Usher but I think this cd could 2x or 3x platinum with the right songs getting air play.

Valentino will surely please...
I had never heard of Bobby Valentino until his song Slow Down, a huge hit around the US.I've never heard of the group Mista, which he was in ( must have been a group that got lost in the shuffle in the early 90's).Sure he has had a couple of cameos on some DTP projects but his presence went largely unnoticed.It doesn't hurt him that he's with DTP and record selling machine Ludacris for support or that he had a top ten r&B hit for the spring.Ya next question should be 'So how's the album?'

In my opinion, the album is a good one, easily listenable and urban, but not a classic as others have put it.However if you just listened to the first half of the cd ( up to Track 10 Come Touch Me), then you will no doubt think this is a classic effort.The album, unfortunately falls off after that point.The only good song after Come Touch Me is One Girl To Love,The rest are sappy filler (hate to say it like that) and the Slow Down remix...he could have kept that one.Another problem with this cd is too many interludes.There are 4 interludes and a bonus remix track on a 17 track album. This makes the listen seem longer than it actually is. Why not just trim all of that and make it a 12 track album?Baffles me.

I know I've listed a bunch of negatives but this album is still worth picking up and enjoying with songs such as Slow Down, Gangsta Love, Tell Me, Come Touch Me, Want You To Know and Never Lonely are all rewind material.The songwriting is good as well as the production and the vocals are good as well even though he doesn't have the type of voice to blow you away (must...stop...listening...to...Mariah's cd....).Nonetheless go pick this up as it's a good album to finish up the year with.4 stars.

Ok debut but I expected more
After his massive debut single Bobby Valentino, I had high hopes for ex-Mista background singer Bobby Valentino. Sufice to say I was very and Mr. Valentino falls into standard R&B terrority. In my opinon the only stand out tracks are Slow Down, One Girl To Love, Love Dream, My Angel (Never Leave You) and Lights Down Low.

Bobby 'Basic' Valentino
Ever heard the term 'Generic RnB'... well now you have. This album is about as basic as RnB can get. The only song on this album worth getting happy about is slow down, and that is only due to its unique sound. However on listening to the rest of this album i found that the 'unique' sound of slow down was dragged into every song.
Every time i skipped to the next track i found that the distinctive base from slow down was present, in the end i began to think that maybe JLO worked with Bobby on this album as she also has the tendancy to use dodgy sounds in her music (mainly high pitched squeeky sounds... as heard in Jenny from the block and Get Right). ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

It's the most complete single-disc collection of EWF chart rockers, and Greatest Hits' splendid remastering makes one of the major exponents of '70s funk positivity sound sparkling. From the driving "Shining Star" to the syncopated mastery of "September" and "Boogie Wonderland" to the slow-jam heaven of "After the Love Is Gone," this is a reminder of what made the group so special. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Great EWF Compilation!
Like another reviewer has posted, EWF's Greatest Hits is just that...all their hits in one cohesive cd.

This set is great for people who are re-discovering EWF like myself - who really only heard their popular hits on the radio, but never bothered to buy a single EWF CD/Album.

What is neat about this set when I bought it is that with some of the titles, I never knew... until I heard the song and said..."oh I know this one!... "didn't know they did this song"!

It ended up I knew about 12 of the 17 track on here already, which was great!

Bottom line: Great funky tunes, R&B classics, as well as nice soulful ballads. That's what EWF is and will always be... a shining star.

Get it!

EWF Greatest Hits Collection Shining Bright To See
Mid-1970s black music seemed dominated either by fun, mindless party jams like "Jungle Boogie" and "Skin Tight," or dour warnings like "Future Shock" and "Living For The City." Stevie Wonder sang his share of life-affirming music but Earth, Wind & Fire, here with a definitive one-disc greatest hits, made such positive strength the heart of their musical identity.

Some of the era's most needed, heeded messages ran deep and sweet atop Verdine White's bass grooves (front and center on "Getaway"), brother and leader Maurice's drum and percussion tracks honed over years with Chess Records' rhythm section ("Saturday Nite," "Kalimba Story," 1977's dazzling "Serpentine Fire"), Louis Satterfield's horn section scrambling through jazz-rock mazes every track (becoming a 80s rock stalwart backing Phil Collins), and Phillip Bailey's high, clear falsetto on "After The Love Has Gone," the prom dance standard "Reasons," the soaring chorus of "September," and the elegant "Fantasy" which, with "Serpentine Fire," gave R&B one of its best 1-2 LP opening tracks. (It's restored to album length here, with Larry Dunn's superb keyboard intros, after being edited on two previous best-ofs).

Messages like "You're a shining star...shining bright to see what you can truly be," "If you sing a song today, you will make a better way," "Try to resist all the hurt that's all around ya..." moved feet and hearts, misinterpreted by spiritual seekers and hedonists alike in the "Me" decade's last discofied days. The Whites understood disco's falsity: "Morning deals a bad hand to a woman who has made too many bets," Maurice sings on 1979's galloping disco smash "Boogie Wonderland," adding, "You dance and shake the hurt." But by early 1982, needing a hit after a slow-selling double-LP the year before, EWF gave in to the dance grooves and party-down lyrics of "Let's Groove," their last Top 5 hit.

Despite a generous 18 tracks (and an excellent geneology of the group by Kevin Goins), longtime fans will miss "In The Stone," "Fall In Love With Me," "Head To The Sky," "Let Me Talk," and others. These are found on 1995's "Eternal Dance" box, the "Elements of Love" ballads collection, or two previous best-ofs. This "Greatest Hits" packs their best-known pop songs into an exceptionally sounding disc (thanks to Mark Wilder's remastering), providing an essential introduction to one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's most surprising, satisfying member groups.

best CD of all time
If I could give this CD more than 5 stars I would. I'm 23 and my mom (43) and grandma (63) were on a road trip listening to the CD. All of us LOVED it. This is the greatest CD of all time.

Lovin' It!!!
I am in the sixth grade and I LOVE this CD! (In fact, I'm listening to it as I write this!) For school, we had to bring in CDs that people don't listen to now (2004) and I brought in this CD. EVERYONE in the class loved it, including myself and my teacher, who remembered it, and loved it, both when she was a kid and now! She was even singing along to "Let's Groove"! :) Kids asked me what the songs were called, who sings them, etc. and we all love it! It's great music to sing along to and dance to and, as one kid in my class put it, "You can just picture all these guys with afros in bell-bottoms singing it into the microphones! :)" Lately, instead of popping in Black Eyed Peas or Now 15 (which are both great modern-day music CDs...thumbs up to them, too!) in my portable CD player, boom box, or parents' cars, I've been listening to Earth Wind & Fire! I love disco music and, for me, disco never died and never will! If you love disco, too, you HAVE to get this CD and listen to it! Enjoy! :)
P.S. I recommend "Shining Star", "September", "Got to Get You Into My Life", "Fantasy", and "Let's Groove" as the Top 5 songs on the CD!

la-la-LOVE IT!
So I'm you're average high school student who's in love with Earth, Wind and Fire [kudos to my parentals]. I just have to say that this is by far the best cd I have in my collection. It has the perfect mix of songs to dance to, sing to, get intimate to, and just to feel good to. Thank you Earth, Wind & Fire. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

One of the must-own soul albums, Greatest Hits is fattened with five extra tracks in this reissue. Al Green brought the Memphis Sound into the '70s by slightly softening it, melding smooth funkiness with his miraculous voice and innate sensitivity: his love songs, while perfect for the bedroom, are as conversational as they are blatantly seductive. By adding the likes of "Belle," a 1977 single that's a near-goodbye to the pop life, to the original lineup of "Let's Stay Together," "Look What You Done for Me," "Call Me," and the others, this edition of Greatest Hits also intriguingly fills out the story. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (88)

Smooth and perfect - gets better every listen
Why is Al Green so much better than so many recording artists who think that they have soul?

Al doesn't sound forced or unnatural, and rarely shows you the full range of expression of which he is capable. The biggest hit that he ever had, "Let's Stay Together," begins with Al and the background vocalists whispering, and thereafter he does not raise his voice much from that. All the parts are very subtle, with each instrument seemingly arranged to disturb the whole the least. It's simple, danceable, and has real dynamics, even when the songs are generally quiet.

While I appreciate R+B made in the last twenty years, I don't like the group of mainly female vocalists who think that soul is shrieking your way up and down a given scale. Saying more with less notes is the heart of soul, and it makes for a consistently enjoyable listening experience.

Buy this. It's tremendously... for the value, and if you like soul, it will be one of the few CD's in your collection to which you can listen without skipping. In fact, it might even irritate you that fifteen songs is all that's here.

A Gorgeous Album
Al Green was probably the greatest exponent of arguably the greatest American music ever produced: soul. And this CD has that in droves. Listen to the acknowledged classics "Let's Stay Together", "Tired of Being Alone" and "I'm Still in Love With You" and you'll hear perhaps the finest non-classical tenor singing with all his heart, emotion and life experience. When Al croons "Belle... The Lord and I have been friends for a mighty long time", one is that much more open to his spiritual message because it is conveyed in such a beautiful manner. How could what Al's saying possibly be wrong? This is the first Al Green CD I acquired way back when I was building my soul music collection. For the beginner that I was, it made me so much more receptive to and appreciative of this wonderful music. This, in short, is ground zero for soul. Start here, and afterwards get your Wilson Picketts and Otis Reddings.

One of My favorites
I love the Best of Albums, and this is one of the best. Al Green is awesome and I love how this was comprised. By the time the CD gets to Love and Happiness, I am in tears. Yet, it is excellent.

Words don't describe
Al Green was bad back in the day, he had that great style all to himself, a gritty southern vibe with lush rythmns, orchstration, and Als gruff but smooth vocals. This Greatest Hits set was released in 75 after Al had scored a string of classic albums for the Hi label, and includes most of the singles. This is such a great listening experience from front to back, it don't really matter if your a serious Al fan with all of his albums or just a casual R&B fan, anybody can dig this set. This new version has been digitally remastered for extra bump plus the 5 extra hits tagged on are cool, my only complaint is that the hit 'Take Me To The River' is missing, one of Als killer jams. That aside, this is still Must Own material for any fan of black music.

Great 70's Soul
I only knew 3 of the songs on this album, but I love the rest of it too! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Some thought it would never happen, but after solo successes and a three-year hiatus the ladies of Destiny's Child have reunited for the eagerly-anticipated Destiny Fulfilled. The Houston-based trio of Kelly, Michelle and some girl named Beyonce follow up their mega successful Survivor with another album full of infectious dance grooves and melancholy tales of women done wrong. Lead single "Lose My Breath" is their first offering of the former. Backed by a kinetic marching band sample, they sing with an urgency that bolsters the Rodney Jerkins-produced track. Current single "Soldier" is more of the same. Featuring T.I. and Lil' Wayne, the song allows the trio to sing the praises of the kind of men they like.

Despite this one-two uptempo punch, DC does do ballads. They go old-school on the moving "If." Michelle, who has several impressive solos throughout, and Beyonce trade lines about finding and holding on to love. However, on "Bad Habit" the trio goes for the paint-by-numbers woman finding her inner-strength theme. Other highlights include the 9th Wonder and Beyonce-produced "Girl" and the midtempo gem "Free." --Rashaun Hall ... Read more