The list of new R&B releases for July 2007 is like a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader - thin and top-heavy. Sitting at the head of the list is music royalty, Prince, but after that, things fall off somewhat. The most noteworthy artist after Prince is former Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland, but after that there's some unknown and up-and-coming artists who are talented but have yet to make their mark in the American music field (Keite Young), plus a few artists who may be past their creative prime, like Lonnie Jordan and Kool & The Gang.
1. "Planet Earth," Prince
Cover © NPG Records.
The latest album by The Purple One will be released on July 24 in the U.S. and July 15 in the U.K. You can read the About R&B review of the album HERE.
2. "Ms. Kelly," Kelly Rowland
Cover © Columbia Records.
3. "Still Kool," Kool & The Gang
Cover © New Door Records.
Yes, believe it or not, '70s band Kool & The Gang are still around and are still making new music. Their first album of all-new material since 1996 comes out July 10 on the New Door Records/UMe label. There's also a special version of the album at Circuit City that contains a bonus song called "Party People."
4. "War Stories," Lonnie Jordan
Cover © Fantasy Records.
Lonnie, who's an original member of the long-lasting, seminal funk-rock band War, releases a solo album July 24 on Fantasy Records.
5. "The Rise & Fall of Keite Young," Keite Young
The debut by this talented young singer R&B/Soul comes out July 24 on Hidden Beach Records.
6. "True Beauty," Mandisa
The debut album by the former American Idol contender is due out July 31 on Sparrow Records.
7. "The Politik," The Politik
The new album by this British soul/funk band comes out July 31 in the U.S. on the indie Milan Records label.
