Since there's a lot of industry excitement from Thanksgiving and Christmas, January is usually a pretty slow month for all types of music, because after the first of the year is usually when some record labels regroup after the holiday madness and plan out their strategies for the new year. And that's pretty much the case this month. There's a few compilations of previously-released music by artists like Jill Scott and Brian McKnight coming out, but no really huge names in R&B are releasing albums - with the very notable exception of Diana Ross. Check out the list below to see for yourself.
1. "Sunshine at Midnight," Sunshine Anderson
The second album by miss Sunshine is due out Jan. 23 on Music World Entertainment, the label run by Beyonce's father, Matthew Knowles. You can read your Guide to R&B's critique of the album HERE.
2. "Music from the Motion Picture: Daddy's Little Girls," Various artists
Due out Jan. 16 on Atlantic Records. Don't sleep on this album - check out your R&B Guide's review of the soundtrack HERE.
3. "Late Night Special," Pretty Ricky
The sophomore album by this four-man R&B/Hip-Hop hybrid group is coming out Jan. 23 on Atlantic Records. The About R&B review of it is posted HERE.4. "I Love You," Diana Ross
Diana's first studio album in over seven years (it's actually a collection of pop cover songs) will be in U.S. stores on Jan. 16, although it was released internationally back in October 2006. Listen to the full album HERE.5. "It Can Happen to Anyone," Elisabeth Withers
This album of mature R&B is due Jan. 30 from Blue Note Records. You can read the About R&B interview with Elisabeth HERE.6. "You, Me and the Radio," Megan Rochell
Supposedly, Def Jam will released this often-delayed CD on Jan. 23. We shall see. UPDATE: This album's release is indefinitely delayed.7. "Gold," Brian McKnight
This two-CD compilation of some of B. McKnight's best songs and greatest hits is due out Jan. 30. The second CD, by the way, contains three previously unreleased songs.8. "Jill Scott: Collaborations," Jill Scott
This collections of previously-released collaborations between Jill and other artists is due in stores Jan. 30 on the Hidden Beach Recordings label. Read the About review of it HERE.9. "Midnight Fire," Various artists
Just in time for Valentine's Day, this latest edition of Time Life's "Body & Soul" series of albums contains sexy 1990s and early 2000s music by Alicia Keys, R, Kelly, Jill Scott, Donell Jones and other big-name R&B artists. It'll be available Jan. 30.10. "The Definitive Greatest Hits," Al Green
Yet another retrospective of the legendary singer's music. This one, which is at least the 10th Al Green greatest hits album, will be released by Capitol Records on Jan. 16.