Music » Vinyl Record R&B Music

Japanese-only single for the third cut & title track from the Fugees vocalist's Grammy-nominated smash solo debut. Contains three versions of 'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill' (Album, Instrumental & A Cappella), plus 'Special Message'. Slimline jewel case. 1998 release.

Blige, Mary J - Breakthrough - Vinyl LP Record MCA R&B.

A master in the art of storytelling, Ne-Yo began writing at an early age. A vivid imagination and creative energy has allowed Ne-Yo to write songs for multi-platinum artists such as Mary J. Blige, B2K, Faith Evans, and Musiq. When asked about writing number one hits for other artists, simply put, Ne-Yo said, "I feel there is always room for good music. I want to reach people's soul with my lyrics through whatever vessel God chooses."Set to release his debut album In My Own Words on Def Jam Recordings, this dynamic entertainer is ready to deliver. Infusing pop melodies to rich, soulful production the album is sure to score with fans and critics alike. Relying on mostly his own in-house crew Compound, Ne-Yo creates both a unique sound and sentiment for his records. Songs like the first single "Stay" (featuring Peedi Crack) exemplify Ne-Yo's nuanced, layered vocals and sample free production. "So Sick", a beautiful track in which he laments hearing love songs on the radio due to the feelings they conjure, reveals his voice to be clean and almost elated, but rich and weathered at the same time. But true to his charismatic character, the album shows many sides of Ne-Yo and even finds him lighter, more playful, even coy, on "When You're Mad." Sure cello hits move the track as Ne-Yo floats above, telling his woman that she's even more beautiful when she's mad.With In My Own Words in the chamber, ready to go, Ne-Yo now just has to prepare himself for the stardom that is sure to follow. "The toughest part has been getting used to being known," he confesses, "I've always been the writer, the guy in the background, but being the actual artist is a whole new experience for me."Citing Prince, Marvin Gaye, the Rat Pack, and Stevie Wonder in his list of favorite entertainers, Ne-Yo's album invokes a nostalgic feeling, a renaissance if you will. Whether it's the bedroom or the dance floor, Ne-Yo's songs are filled with passion and intense energy that pulls (you into the music) and puts you into a zone.Ne-Yo is taking the music industry by storm, as he graces and challenges popular music with his writing and vocal talents. Much more than today's male singer, Ne-Yo is a rare artist; expressing creativity through drawings, paintings, martial arts and song. He is distinguished by youthful energy with in-depth lyrics that touch the soul.

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Avant has been trying to climb out from under comparisons with R. Kelly--his brother in bettering the average guy's chance at a booty call--since he arrived on the R&B scene nearly a decade ago. Director, his fourth disc, is his shot at shifting the effort into overdrive: The title refers not only to his executive-producer turn here, but to the overall reigning in of career disillusionment. Prior management was ditched in favor of the current team, which brought with it the top-tier production of Jermaine Dupri and Rodney Jerkins. And on came the collaborators: Lil' Wayne, the Pussycat Dolls, Lloyd Banks, and Dupri himself turn in memorable tokens of support. Hard to ignore, though, is the fact that Avant still sounds like R. Kelly, whether it's when he's cramming too many syllables into a single line (the future ladies' man anthem "This Is Your Night") or, more often, when he's just doing his Avant thing, which is spinning a smooth-soul vocal into pure velvet ("Lie About Us," "Now You Got Someone"). So the campaign for distinction is a bust, but a little stylistic copycatting can go a long way: "Exclusive," the Lloyd Banks number, bumps along to a flashy-cool beat that urban radio ought not to ignore, and "You Know What" is a dirty-sweet knee-weakener. The rest rolls along like a carriage ride before a romantic dinner, which is another way of saying that R&B fans will want to linger over Director's every last cut. --Tammy La Gorce

'Kickback' is a first time compilation that gathers precious rarities from the Meters' mid-'70's 'Fire On The Bayou/Trick Bag' period, including previously unissued gems and newly unearthed alternate versions. 14 classic funk tracks rediscovered. Standard jewel case. 2001 release.For completists of these quintessential Crescent City funksters, this collection of mid-1970s outtakes and alternate takes will fill in some important gaps. Rock covers rule the day here, including a wonderfully nasty nine-minute reading of Neil Young's "Down by the River." Stephen Stills, the Stones, and the Beatles also get the Meters treatment, and the program is filled out by several New Orleans favorites such as "Big Chief," Hank Williams's "Jambalaya," and a rock & roll medley that includes cuts associated with Huey Smith and Fats Domino. For an album of leftovers, Kick Back is actually about as good as the albums whose sessions it comes from--1975's Fire on the Bayou and 1976's Trick Bag. Like those two records, this one is far from prime Meters, but has just enough high points and low-down grooves to be a worthwhile listen. --Marc Greilsamer

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Young R&B star Mya got some mileage from her 1998 debut album's "It's All About Me" and "My First Night with You," but made her deepest marks that year with cameos on two film-related hip-hop singles, Pras Michel's "Ghetto Supastar" and Blackstreet's "Take Me There." Back with her own second release, Fear of Flying, she aims to solidify her identity. The promising title--perhaps a nod to Erica Jong's groundbreaking '70s novel about liberated female sexuality?--turns out to be a reference to commitment-phobia. The high must be followed by heartbreak, the song implies. That theme resounds in various ways through many of the record's other tracks, from the sneering "Case of the Ex" to the bouncing "Lie Detector" (which showcases dancehall king Beenie Man). Mya grabs for a piece of her own freedom with the party celebration and Left Eye duet "Takin' Me Over," which comes as a welcome change of pace from the focus on failed romance. Fear of Flying is hardly a great album, but it does represent a real step forward for the singer. --Bob Roget

2-track single backed with the non-album E-Smoove Mix of 'Talk About Our Love'. Atlantic. 2004.

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