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New R&B/Soul Albums: October 2009

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By , About.com Guide

October 2009 is a big month for R&B music because a consistent heavy hitter is expected to drop a new album this month: talented R&B/Soul man Brian McKnight. In addition, a couple of new Michael Jackson projects will be out: an album of remixes and the soundtrack to the upcoming documentary of MJ's last days, This Is It. Among the other artists releasing albums this month are Joss Stone, Mario, Kevon Edmonds, and a personal favorite of yours truly, the wildly talented yet highly underappreciated MeShell Ndegeocello. Check below for the full details of October's most noteworthy new R&B/Soul album releases.

1. Evolution of a Man, Brian McKnight

This will be Brian McKnight's 12th album, an amazing feat considering the here today, gone tomorrow nature of the music business. It'll be in stores Oct. 27.

Tracklisting:
1. The Brian McKnight Show
2. JustALittleBit
3. ibetchaneva
4. whatI'vebeenwaiting4
5. whenURlovinME
6. neversaygoodbye
7. staytuned
8. next2U
9. ImissU
10 alwaysbeMYbaby
11 babyit'sU
12 while
13 Another You
14 Not Alone

2. Colour Me Free!, Joss Stone

The fourth album by this soulful British singer-songwriter is set to come out Oct. 20 in the U.S. via the EMI label. Joss has said that she recorded the album over about a week in early 2008, but label drama prevented it from being released until now.

Tracklisting:
1. Free Me
2. Could Have Been You
3. Parallel Lines (featuring Jeff Beck and Sheila E.)
4. Lady
5. 4 And 20
6. Big Ole Game (feat. Raphael Saadiq)
7. Governmentalist (feat. Nas)
8. Incredible
9. You Got The Love
10 I Believe It To My Soul (feat. David Sanborn)
11 Stalemate (feat. Jamie Hartman)
12 Girlfriend On Demand

3. DNA, Mario

Mario, fresh off appearing on "Dancing With the Stars," is due to release his fourth R&-pop album on Oct. 13 via J Records.

Tracklisting:
1. Break Up
2. Been Thinking About You
3. Get Out
4. Soundtrack To My Broken Heart
5. Starlight
6. Stranded
7. Ooh Baby
8. Before She Said Hi (feat. Big Sean)
9. I Choose You
10 Don't Walk Away
11 I Miss My Friend
12 The Hardest Moment

4. Who Knew, Kevon Edmonds

Babyface's younger brother, who's best known for being a member of the vocal trio After 6, drops his latest release Oct. 13 in the U.S. via Make Entertainment.

Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. Who Knew
3. She Loves Me
4. April's Fool
5. Angels
6. Hurts Too Much To Cry
7. Interlude
8. Callin'
9. Oh
10 If I Cry

5. Devil's Halo, MeShell Ndegeocello

This is the acclaimed musician's eighth solo release. Devil's Halo harkens back to the way records used to be made: with a live band. Influenced by a breadth of sounds, from The Human League to Wu-Tang to Yes, the album brings a broad range of musical and lyrical voices and selves. It'll be in stores Oct. 6

Tracklisting:
1. Slaughter
2. Tie One On
3. Lola
4. Hair Of The Dog
5. Mass Transit
6. White Girl
7. Love You Down
8. Devil’s Halo
9. Bright Shiny Morning
10 Blood On The Curb
11 Die Young
12 Crying In Your Beer

6. This is It (Soundtrack), Michael Jackson

This Is It, which will be released Oct. 27, features music from the documentary of the same name. Also included is a 36-page, commemorative booklet featuring exclusive photos of Michael from his last rehearsal.

Tracklisting:
Disc 1:
1. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
2. Jam
3. They Don't Care About Us
4. Human Nature
5. Smooth Criminal
6. The Way You Make Me Feel
7. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)
8. I Just Can't Stop Loving You
9. Thriller
10 Beat It
11 Black Or White
12 Earth Song
13 Billie Jean
14 Man In The Mirror
15 This Is It
16 This Is It (Orchestra Version)

Disc 2:
1. She's Out Of My Life (Demo)
2. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Demo)
3. Beat It (Demo)
4. Planet Earth (Poem)

7. Pink Elephant, N'Dambi

Pink Elephant is the Stax Records debut from this stirring soul singer from Dallas, Texas. On her new album, N'Dambi distills soul-deep inspiration into a sensual style of elegance and power. The album drops Oct. 6.

Tracklisting:
1. L.I.E.
2. What It Takes
3. Nobody Jones
4. Ooo Baby
5. Mind Blowin'
6. The One
7. Take It Out
8. Daisy Chain
9. Can't Hardly Wait
10 The World Is A Beat
11 Imitator
12 Free Fallin'

8. Verbal Penetration (Vol. 1 & 2), Jesse Johnson

Jesse, formerly of Minneapolis band The Time, has a two-disc set due out Oct. 27.

Tracklisting:
Disc: 1
1. V.P. Introduction
2. Verbal Penetration
3. Propaganda
4. U & I R We R Us
5. 100 Watts of Funky
6. Merciful
7. Don't Throw Yourself Away
8. Slo Burnin
9. Sheila Rae
10 Love Letters
11 Dream Interlude
12 Slave 2 Freedom
13 We Ain't Going Nowhere Interlude
14 We R So Strong
15 Beautiful Sadic 16 Prologue

Disc: 2
1. Intro
2. Get Next to You
3. Ali vs Frazier
4. Redemption for the Soul, Enlightenment for the Earhole
5. Please Let Me Go
6. Meditation 01: Astrology
7. You Have a Friend
8. Reflections
9. Meditation 02: Self-Love
10 Letters from a Soldier (Reprise)
11 In the Key of Nudity
12 V.P. Credits
13 Peace Be with You (Reprise)

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9. Thankful, The Whispers

This new gospel-R&B album is due in stores Oct. 20 via Kingdom Records.

Tracklisting:
To Be Announced

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10. The Remix Suite, Michael Jackson

Universal Motown Records has enlisted the hottest producers in the game to pay homage to Michael Jackson by remixing their favorite tracks from The Jackson 5's timeless catalog of gems and jams. In stores Oct. 20.

Tracklisting:
1. Skywriter - Stargate Remix
2. Never Can Say Goodbye - The Neptunes Remix
3. I Wanna Be Where You Are - Dallas Austin Remix
4. Dancing Machine - Polow Remix
5. ABC - Salaam Remi Remix
6. Forever Came Today - Frankie Knuckles Late Night Antics Remix
7. Dancing Machine - Steve Aoki Remix
8. Hum Along & Dance - David Morales Remix
9. Ain't No Sunshine - Benny Blanco Remix
10 Maria (You Were The Only One) Emile Haynie Remix
11 Maybe Tomorrow - Sturken & Rogers Remix
12 Ben - Akon (Konvict Remix)

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