Editors' Review: FAME Studios, located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, was the origin of the famed 'Muscle Shoals sound,' a sweaty, earthy, country-soul sound embraced by artists from Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding to th... more »

Editors' Review: New York native 21-year-old Lee Carr cites Stevie Wonder, Dave Hollister, and Tony Thompson as a few of his inspirations, which is evident in his debut single, "Stilettos," which continues to heat up ... more »

Editors' Review: Fans of America's great organic beat hotspots--the Bay Area, Philly, and L.A. come to mind--will be glad they went north of the border for Slakah's "Soul Movement Vol. 1." The set features some of Can... more »

From the artist: Arabesk? are a Sydney based quartet who have adopted many disparate international sounds and moulded them into their own unique style.

Editors' Review: Maybe we should stop being surprised by Jennifer Hudson. The breakout star of "Dreamgirls" dazzles again on debut LP "Spotlight." The sweet vocals we saw coming, but the cool R&B sense and the smart u... more »

Editors' Review: Saadiq's new solo set, "The Way I See It," is that rare "retro" album that gets the period details right but doesn't just copy old records. Saadiq applies the shimmering strings and burbling keyboards... more »

Editors' Review: In a time when many R&B stars are trying to be rappers--and vice-versa--Cleveland's Avant is content with purism. And while club-based crooning has its place, his approach is a winner: the album's sat... more »