Mary J. Blige makes a big reveal with each album. On her latest, My Life II: The Journey Continues, Act 1, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul revisits her struggles, as she did on her 1994 opus My Life. Don't be fooled; Blige is very much in love, as heard on her remake of "Ain't Nobody" and the lead single "25/8." Blige successfully retains her royalty status once heartache returns to the center stage on "No Condition" and "Empty Prayers" as well as her issues with love on "Mr. Wrong" and "Why." The follow-up, Act 2, is rumored to come out in May.
On Weather, Meshell Ndegeocello is in a funk, as if she has been listening to Morrissey records on repeat. The bisexual bassist slowed it down in a sensual way on 1999's Bitter, but here she seems more distraught.
"Feeling for the Wall" and "Don't Take My Kindness for Weakness" find the Grammy nominee nearly breathless. "Oysters" is a beautiful break-up song, with its simple piano accompaniment. Despite her trademark bassline missing here, "Oysters" is absolutely outstanding, especially as she chimes, "Sometimes you don't get it right." The ode about an ex-lover, "Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear," could have been a lost gem by The Cure from 20 years ago. Similarly, "Rapid Fire" would fit perfectly on a reunion album by Talking Heads. On "Chelsea Hotel" she comes across as a severely depressed Prince. Fear not; the Joe Henry-produced album picks up with the bluesy title track and the catchy midtempo numbers "Chance" and "Dirty World."
Ndegeocello cements that she is an evolving artist, making Weather one of my top picks of 2011.
Rihanna fires out a new album nearly every year with a lead single that quickly will engrain itself in the listener's head before going stale. Her catalog has not aged gracefully (queue up "Don't Stop the Music" or "Shut Up and Drive" for proof), although the wildly popular material can pack a dance floor.
The Barbados-born pop star sticks with her hit-making formula with her sixth Island Def Jam studio outing, Talk That Talk. "We Found Love" is slick courtesy of Calvin Harris' (Kylie Minogue, Tiesto) production and its bouncy beat. "Where Have You Been" lifts its hook from Rihanna's megahit "Umbrella." In the same vein, "Roc Me Out" recalls her chart-topper "Rude Boy." Rihanna is one of the few pop acts who seamlessly can balance having enough credibility to collaborate with heavyweights like Jay-Z and Eminem and resurfacing with a sugary pop ditty like "We All Want Love."
Sure, she has belted out "S.O.S." Now, Rihanna is in the upcoming blockbuster film Battleship, which is based on the beloved board game.
British dubstep outfit Nero makes quite a splash with its full-length debut, Welcome Reality. "Doomsday" and "Fugue State" have big beats that make me want to forget completely about Black Eyed Peas. "Guilt" summons the starlet belting out lyrics with the utmost urgency lost on '90s Euro-dance hits. Nero's party never ceases courtesy of samples from the '80s. "Crush on You" taps The Jets' classic and Daryl Hall revisits Hall and Oates' "Out of Touch" on "Reaching Out."
But true to dubstep's trademark sound, throughout Welcome Reality there are tweaks, as if I spilled champagne on my R2 unit as it handles the DJ duties. Nero keeps the art of music videos alive with its excellent clips found on the band's Vevo channel.
On Party Groove: White Party 12, DJ Wayne G. dishes out a scorching hot continuous mix. The set favors covers of hits like Madonna's "Beautiful Stranger," Lady Gaga's "You and I" and Rihanna's "We Found Love." The best revamping is "Bad Things," the theme from True Blood, which is remixed for clubland here. Billie Ray Martin's crossover "Your Loving Arms" is updated with an introduction that focuses on her soulful vocals. The remarkable reworking on "Don't Make Me Wait" brings me back to the '90s, when I overplayed this cut by Loveland. Make no mistake; the dramatic "Bitch" by Ralphi Rosario and Wayne G. featuring Stewart Who is not a remake of Meredith Brooks' 1997 hit of the same name.
Proceeds from White Party 12 will benefit Care Resource, Florida's oldest and largest HIV / AIDS service organization. Party Groove: White Party 12 is out now via Centaur Music and makes a wonderful addition to a workout playlist.
On the second Thursday of each month, Downtown Bar & Lounge, 440 N. State St., hosts Clock out Rock Out by Moosebox at 5-9 p.m. This rock n' roll-focused evening makes a great alternative to the usual dance-driven soundtrack at LGBT bars. On Thursday, Jan. 12, my brother and I will be behind the decks as special guests after Moose's set. Expect to hear classics, covers, queer artists and what affectionately is called cougar rock.
This year forecasts a lot of fantastic new releases. Those with material due out include Adam Lambert, Amy Ray, Christina Aguilera, Garbage, Kylie Minogue, Ladyhawke, Lana Del Rey, Madonna, Neneh Cherry, Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams, School of Seven Bells, Sinead O'Connor, Sophie B. Hawkins and VV Brown.