What, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson both putting out albums in the same month? Don't worry, it's still 2008, not 1988. But both the Jackson siblings are releasing new albums this month (or in Michael's case, semi-new). Also issuing new material in February: Erykah Badu, Jill Scott (sort of) J. Holiday (sort of), Lizz Wright and Cheri Dennis (kinda-sorta). So see what your Guide means by all this, look below for the full list of February 2008 album and DVD releases.
1. "Discipline," Janet Jackson
The comeback album by Janet (Ms. Jackson if you're nasty) is her 10th album overall and features the hit song "Feedback." Discipline will be in stores on Feb. 26.
2. "New AmErykah, Pt. One: 4th World War," Erykah Badu
The fifth full release by Erykah Badu, New AmErykah, Pt. One: 4th World War, is her first since 2003's underrated and underpromoted EP Worldwide Underground. The new album, which features the single "Honey," will be available everywhere Feb. 26.
3. "Live in Paris +," Jill Scott
Jill Scott's latest, which follows up on her September 2007 album The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3, is her second live album (the first was 2001's Experience: Jill Scott 826+). Live in Paris will be in U.S. stores on Feb. 5 on Hidden Beach Recordings and will be available in both CD and CD/DVD versions.
4. "In and Out of Love," Cheri Dennis
The debut album by this Bad Boy Records singer was released on iTunes back in November 2007, but physical copies will finally be available in brick-and-mortar stores as well as other online retailers beginning Feb. 26.
5. "Back of My 'Lac (Deluxe Edition CD/DVD)," J. Holiday
The original version of Back of My 'Lac came out in October 2007, but now a deluxe edition featuring three new songs, "Sooner You Get to Love," "I Know Love" and "When You Get Home," comes out on Feb. 5. The deluxe edition also contains a DVD with the videos for Holiday's songs "Bed," "Be with Me" and "Suffocate."
6. "The Orchard," Lizz Wright
Lizz, who's a soulful jazz singer with an amazing voice, is about to drop her third album, The Orchard, on Feb. 26 on Verve Records.
7. "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (Original Soundtrack)," Various Artists
The soundtrack to the new Martin Lawrence movie will be in stores Feb. 5. It features music from Joe Thomas ('We're Family"), Kindred The Family Soul ("Meant to Be") and Jill Scott ("It's Love"), among others.
8. "25th Anniversary of Thriller (CD/DVD)," Michael Jackson
This special edition of the best selling album of all time features seven bonus tracks. Six of them are remixes featuring Kanye West, Fergie, will.i.am and Akon, among others. The seventh track is a previously unreleased song from the Thriller sessions called "For All Time." Also included is a DVD with digitally restored versions of the album's three videos. The package will be in stores Feb. 12.
9. "Therapeutic," Paris Houston
If the name Paris Houston seems a little familiar, it might be because she appeared on the second season of American Idol. Grand Slam Records will release the debut album by this young R&B/hip-hop singer from Houston, Texas, on Feb. 18. You can hear some of her music at http://www.myspace.com/houstonparis.
10. "Original Movie Soundtrack: Step Up 2: The Streets," Various Artists
Among the artists who appear on this mixed bag of pop-oriented R&B and rap are young artists like Trey Songz, the girl group Cherish and Cassie. It will be released in the U.S. by Atlantic Records on Feb. 5.
