Joe's 3rd album for Jive appropriately titled 'Better Days' comes a little more than a year after his last effort (My Name is Joe) and sees the young man venture into a more contemporary mode of RNB this time around and will definitely see the fan's cheer at the record shops. 

The lead off single 'Let's stay home tonight' has already enjoyed a tremendous amount of airplay across the globe and rightfully so the song (a bit of a change in tempo for Joe) has a more English RNB feel to it rather than the typical stuff you see on the US charts. 

The album on the other hand is filled with some really nice tracks one of which has the gospel oriented touch to it in 'Love's Prayer' but stand outs include the moving 'Ghetto Girl' featuring Shaggy, 'What if a woman' and the title track. Joe handles most of the  producing this time around and does a good job of it as well. The album is in stores now so go get a copy.

TD 

 

 

 

The R&B trio Blaque returns once again with the first single from their sophomore set 'Blaqued Out' due next spring. The single is the norm of the R&B material that's conquering the charts at the moment nothing fancy or thrilling which one has come to expect from producers Track Masters camp.

The ladies - Shamari, Natina and Brandi (who were discovered by TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes) nevertheless do what they do best to bring this one home to their fans. Radio play is evident, top 40 status is another matter. 

Ever wonder why the group's name is spelt the way it is (it's an acronym for Believe, Life, Achieving, Quest, Unity and Everything)  A TY-D Pick here nevertheless.

TD.

 

    

 

I tell you Philly is the place to be for the upcoming neo-soul artists of today. Recent discoveries have been Jill Scott, Bilal and Musiq Soulchild Bilal and Music Soul Child and now entering the horizon is Jaguar Wright.

In 99 whilst in negotiations to join Bryce Wilson in a revived version of Groove Theory, Jaguar was steadfastly gaining respect for her dazzling vocals. 

Her debut album is an highly anticipated release with songs that speak out from her family’s trials to capricious love affairs, Jaguar sees herself as a modern day Etta James. Most of all Jaguar wants her album to affect people positively. “ I hope it will change somebody’s life or at least soothe or comfort somebody-which is why I wrote an album full of real songs about real situations, the whole album is about my life situations that I have lived and seen,” she explained.

The pick of the crop is hard to choose (really) but stand outs include a duet with Bilal on the erotically mellow groove “I Can’t Wait”, also with the help of Black Thought, “Ain’t Nobody Playin’.” puts a jealous ex-friend in their place but it is on the empowering song, “Self Love, Self Preservation, Pts 1 & 2” that the message from lessons lived and learned truly comes through in the delivery of the powerful lyrics: “Love yourself, believe in yourself, be true to yourself, be you for yourself. Do you;” which she sings like they are the most important words she will ever belt out. All of the songs on the album, aptly titled Denials, Delusions, and Decisions, speak to some issue or situation that has helped make Jaguar both the artist and woman that she is.

The album is set to hit stores Jan 29th here in the states no date on the European shores yet (most likely will be the same time also) but a set worthy for your ear don't be surprised if it's not one of the years best. Another Ty D Pick indeed not to be missed.

TD 

  Source: Jaguar's bio