Rhythm high or low down blues

Thank You
Jamelia
EMI Records

THERE seem to be some golden rules for being an R and B artist: Allow fellow DJs and rappers “feature” in your songs and talk about yourself in your songs.

Jamelia follows both of these.

But Rah Digga, Asher D and Bubba Sparxxx add little to lift this 14-track CD above a resting heart beat.

It’s a rather bland set of melodies, even if it does include the socalled “smash hits” Superstar and Thank You.

Since first-time outings on the player can be deceiving, I gave it a second whirl.

Yet again, I couldn’t make it past half-way before turning it down, off or walking out of the room.

What's the point of two bonus tracks if that happens?

-Lt Leesha Furse

Jamz Volume 2
Mixed by Ken Walker
Warner Music Australia

YOU’RE on a winner when people who’ve crossed off a genre of music from their hearing list start shaking their booty to its tunes.

So it was with this mix by Ken Walker of recent R and B hits.

Jamz Volume 2 builds up the momentum and blends the songs back to back.

This makes the listen more fulfilling than moments of silence between tunes.

Sure, R and B can be like learning a new language – Chingy’s Right Thurr and Missy Elliott will see to that. And time spent in Madrid will help to understand Craig David’s Spanish.

But there’s plenty to like, with JWess, Mis-Teeq, Snoop Dogg, and even Boyz II Men. Enjoy the beat and the way it makes you groove.

– Leesha Furse

Sex and Poverty
Nessa Morgan
BMG

THIS Sydney-based Maori singer gets gritty and lusty about living life her way.

Her soulful R and B style, not normally found on the Australian artist market, is well rounded. Defi nitely a date-on-the-couch CD, guaranteed to turn up the heat.

– CPL Belinda Mepham