R&B Today Vol 16

* When I introduced you guys to Calvin Richardson last year, I was hoping we'd hear more from him on mainstream radio. We didn't. But Angie Stone is feeling his vibe and has a powerful duet with him on her new CD, Mahagony Soul. Angie and Calvin's soulful tune, "More than a Woman," melts in your ears like chocolate in your mouth.

After seeing them perform it live on BET's 106 & Park I was convinced her CD was worth a listen. Here's hoping that Angie's mainstream success rubs off on Calvin . He's untapped talent for sure.

* Speaking of Angie Stone, the "Mahagony Soul" CD is off the hook and chock full of stirring soul tracks. Angie brings back the old sounds of soul well, mixing her tunes with enough R&B flavor to hold on to those that can't get down with the old school.

* Never to be outdone, Miss Jill Scott released "Experience: Jill Scott 826+", over the Thanksgiving holiday. The two CD set contains one whole CD of live performances - taped during the DC leg of Jill's tour. The tracks hold something for everyone, soul, R&B or jazz lovers alike.

If you're a Jill Scott fan, run, don't walk to your nearest sounds store! If you're not a fan listen to it anyway. The live version of "The Way," featuring Mike Phillips blowing the hell out of his horn, is worth the CD price alone!!!

And as an extra incentive, Jill blesses us with 8 new tracks. They didn't capture and enthrall me like the cuts from "Who Is Jill Scott?" but "Free," "Thickness" and "Gotta Get Up" are still good music.

* I haven't given Gerald Levert his props for his newest project "Gerald's World." Mainly because the first release, "Made To Love Ya" didn't inspire me. But that release belies the strength of the CD. Had he led off with a stronger track to get people to the stores, like "Soulmate," I think there would be more buzz on the streets. Fair warning, with ballad after ballad, this was definitely conceived as a for-lovers-only CD.

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