Spring has sprung, and popping up with it are a number of new releases by artists well known to R&B fans. Leading the list of April 2012's new albums is New Life, the latest from Monica, followed by the comeback album from R&B trio SWV, who until now hadn't released a new studio album since Bill Clinton was in the White House. Other noteworthy releases on the list include the latest from Detroit crooner K'Jon and the soundtrack to the movie Think Like a Man, which features new songs by Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Kelly Rowland and Keri Hilson, among others. For full details, have a look below.
1. 'New Life,' Monica
Monica's seventh studio album's finally being released April 10 after having been pushed back from 2011. A who's who of producers worked on the album included Jermaine Dupri, Salaam Remi, Missy Elliott and Bryan-Michael Cox.
Tracklisting:
- New Life (Intro)
- It All Belongs to Me (feat. Brandy)
- Daddy's Good Girl
- Man Who Has Everything
- Big Mistake
- Take a Chance
- Without You
- Until It's Gone
- Amazing
- Cry
- Time to Move On
- New Life (Outro)
2. 'Moving On,' K'Jon
K'Jon, the Detroit singer who's best known for the ballad "On the Ocean" from his underappreciated 2009 album I Get Around, has split with Republic Records and is releasing his next album via Shanachie Entertainment on April 17.
Tracklisting:
- Moving On Intro
- Side One Interlude
- Superman
- On Everything Pt. 2 (feat. Seven the General)
- No Pressure (feat. Doggie of D.U.B.B.)
- Bad Gurl
- Ex Amnesia (feat. Jonesy of D.U.B.B.)
- My Lil Sister
- Side Two Interlude
- Wonderland (feat. Mistee Merritt)
- Will You Be There
- Moving On
- The Reason
- I'm Good Boo
- Take This Dollar
- Super Momma
3. 'I Missed Us,' SWV
Before this year, the most recent album by Sisters With Voices came out way back in 1997. But after a long layoff from performing as a group, the three ladies that make up SWV reunited in 2005 and have been periodically working on new music ever since. The result is their latest album, which is being released April 17 via eOne (aka E1) Music.
Tracklisting:
- Co-Sign
- Show Off
- I Missed Us
- All About You
- Best Years
- Keep You Home
- Everything I Love
- Better Than I
- Do You
- Use Me
- Time to Go
- Co-Sign (Remix)
- If Only You Knew
4. 'A Pocketful of Purpose,' Conya Doss
Conya Doss is the rare R&B artist who's been able to thrive throughout her entire career as an indie artist with no major label backing. Her sixth album comes out April 24 via Conya Doss Songs Inc.
Tracklisting:
- Reaching for the Stars
- I Want It All
- Paradise
- What About You and Me? (feat. Chris McNeal)
- Piano Interlude
- Don't Change
- Just Me
- Letter
- Here for You
- Jamie (Come Back)
- Lost
- Where Do We Go From Here?
- I'll Say Yes
5. 'Look Around the Corner,' Quantic & Alice Russell
Alice Russell is one of the best, most vocally powerful Soul singers in Great Britain. On her latest release she teams up with producer-musician Will Holland -- aka Quantic -- for this album, which is a blend of many different sounds, including Soul, Blues, Gospel and Folk music, plus some Latin swing. It drops April 3.
Tracklisting:
- Look Around the Corner
- Here Again
- Traveling Song
- Magdalena
- I'll Keep My Light in My Window
- Una Tarde en Mariquita
- Interlude
- Su Suzy
- Boogaloo 33
- Road to Islay
- Similau
- I'd Cry
- Magdalena (Reprise)
- Look Around The Corner (Reprise)
6. 'Let's Get to What's Real,' Elliott Yamin
This soulful "American Idol" alum's fourth U.S. album was pushed back from March, but should be in stores beginning April 10.
Tracklisting:
- Gather Round
- Self Control
- Thinkin' 'Bout You
- Let's Get to What's Real
- Poison
- Downtown
- Enough Love
- Up, Down, All Around
- I'll Be That Bridge
- Virginia
- 3 Words
7. 'Think Like a Man - Music From & Inspired by the Film,' Various Artists
The movie Think Like a Man, which is based on comedian-actor Steve Harvey's book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man," comes out April 20; the soundtrack, which is being released April 10, features new music by some of the bigger names in contemporary R&B.
Tracklisting:
- Think Like a Man (by Jennifer Hudson & Ne-Yo feat. Rick Ross)
- Tonight (Best You Ever Had) [by John Legend feat. Ludacris]
- Need a Reason (Kelly Rowland feat. Future & Bei Major)
- Won't Make a Fool Out of You (Marcus Canty)
- Baby Be Mine (Quadron)
- That's the Way of the World (Earth, Wind & Fire)
- Freedom Ride (Keri Hilson)
- Shake That Jelly (Billy Wes)
- Same Ol' BS (RaVaughn)
- Fire (Brandon Hines)
- Motion Picture (Future)
- Never Too Much (Luther Vandross)
8. 'From Bunny with Love & a Little Soul,' Bunny Sigler
The legendary Walter "Bunny" Sigler is a four-time Grammy award winner and nominee who has been a writer, producer or recording artist on over 36 million albums, starting in the 1960s. His latest album of new music comes out April 17.
Tracklisting:
- Sweet Lorraine
- Unspoken Words
- To Love Again
- Nobody Else for Me (feat. Paul Shaffer)
- You Never Know
- How Bad Do You Want It
- In a Minute
- Super Guy
- I Wish
- Too Sexy
- She's My Lady
- Face the Music
9. 'Hidden Gems,' Luther Vandross
Hidden Gems is a compilation of album tracks, soundtrack offerings and rare live performances by the late, great Luther Vandross, who died in 2005. This album, which is due out April 17, marks the first time these songs all appear on the same release.
Tracklisting:
- When You Call On Me (Baby That's When I Come Runnin')
- Once You Know How
- I Know You Want To
- Once Were Lovers
- You Stopped Loving Me
- The Impossible Dream
- Are You Using Me?
- Goin' Out of My Head
- The Thrill I'm In
- Heart of a Hero
- Buy Me a Rose
- I (Who Have Nothing)
- I'd Rather
- Like I'm Invisible
- You Really Started Something