Piles - Definition of Real

Wow, pretty damn aweful. 2/10

Herbie Hancock feat Tina Turner - Edith and the Kingpin

Won’t be crossing over to mainstream, but still a decent song. 6/10

Piles - Who Hotter Than Me

Probably won’t see this on the radio, but could see this on mixtapes.  6/10

Lyrics Born - Everywhere at Once

“For his second solo studio record, the Quannum Projects godfather veers left from his sample-centric background and into something that should be highly pleasing to anyone who enjoyed hip-hop in 1988. “Everywhere at Once” isn’t the map-jumping free-for-all inferred by its title; rather, this is a focused and thoughtfully crafted party record that finds Lyrics Born employing a live band to work up his newfound love of shimmering, shining pop-funk, even as he expands his hoop-jumping, rat-a-tat rhymes. There’s much to dig into here, especially the readymade singles “I Like It, I Love It” and “Hott 2 Deff,” which sounds like something left over from the “Off the Wall” sessions. Meanwhile, “Do U Buy It” channels, uh, Gary Numan, and “Differences” and “Cakewalk” venture smartly into relationship territory. —Jeff Vrabel”

Noel Gourdin - The River

This could do alright on AC stations, but that is about it. 6/10

Stanley Clarke feat Esperanza Spalding - All Over Again

Very plain and very boring. Not much else to say. 4/10

India.Arie - Heart of the Matter

Although i’m sure what this will do on the radio, i really dig this song! Great remake of a classic track! 9/10

Melissa - I Believed

Great voice, nice first single. 8/10

Janet Jackson - Feedback Remix

Ralphi Roasario Electroshok Radio Edit - One of the best house remixes i’ve heard in a while. Grab this one! 8/10

Nicholas Payton - Into The Blue

“The most appealing thing about Nicholas Payton’s Nonesuch debut, “Into the Blue,” is that it’s simply an unfailingly sweet listening experience. The album is groove-rich, and Payton’s trumpet sound has a feel and a shape that will seduce your ears. Of the seven originals, the chilled groove of “Let It Ride” and the delightful rumination between piano and trumpet that dominates “The Crimson Touch” deliver some of the best moments. The final track, “The Charleston Hop,” is a terrific ensemble performance that lights the fuse on a Payton solo that’s a masterful blending of flash and substance. —Philip Van Vleck”

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