Share My World
Artist: Mary J. Blige
Community Score: 7.98
24-7
Artist: Kevon Edmonds
Community Score: 10.00

Kevon Edmonds' solo debut 24-7 proves that he can make it on his own, apart from After 7, even if it isn't a full-fledged knockout. Like his brother Babyface, Edmonds has an appealingly sophisticated spin on contemporary urban soul, never pushing the music too hard and keeping everything smooth and suave. This elegant approach carries him... Read More

If You Only Knew
Artist: Gina Thompson

Gina Thompson's If You Only Knew marks her debut for Elektra Records and features more of the attitude she displayed on her first single with Missy Elliott, "The Things That You Do." Elliot reappears on If You Only Knew's "Ya Di Ya," and the album also features guest performances from Beanie Sigel and Jon B. From slinky, seductive songs like... Read More

The Color Within Me
Artist: Janice Robinson
Community Score: 6.00

Perhaps because she played with various groups for years before making her mark in Europe with Livin' Joy's "Dreamer" in 1994-95, Janice Robinson is not your standard R&B singer. In fact, it would be more accurate to think of her as a rock singer-songwriter. She has assembled a backup band that includes rock veterans like Jim Keltner and Waddy... Read More

Life's Aquarium
Artist: Mint Condition
Community Score: 6.88

With their fourth album and first for Elektra, Mint Condition tightens up their songwriting substantially, making Life's Aquarium one of their best efforts to date. The group's melodies and instrumental interplay are focused and confident, and that assurance is also apparent in the album's tone: Where past Mint Condition releases were... Read More

702
Artist: 702
Community Score: 10.00

702 showed promise on their debut, but with their self-titled second effort, they're beginning to find their own voice. True, they need the help of some powerful collaborators and producers to get there -- including Rick "Dutch" Cousin, SoulShock & Karlin and Missy Elliott, who clearly was an influence here -- but the end result is a seamless,... Read More

Where I Wanna Be
Artist: Donell Jones
Community Score: 8.13

Donell Jones first gained attention as a songwriter and producer for such smooth urban soul groups as Usher, Silk, Brownstone, and 702, which led Babyface to sign the singer/songwriter to LaFace. His debut album was a solid R&B hit, sketching out a jazzy, soulful variation on Babyface's smooth urban-pop, which he fills in with his second album,... Read More

The Definitive Collection
Artist: Angela Bofill

Over the course of 17 songs, The Definitive Collection covers most of Angela Bofill's best-known singles and album tracks, including "I Try," "This Time I'll Be Sweeter," "Angel of the Night," and "Let Me Be the One." This collection also includes several worthwhile songs that didn't make it onto her previous retrospective, The Best of Angela... Read More

Talk Show
Artist: Shae Jones
Community Score: 9.33
98° and Rising
Artist: 98°
Community Score: 8.50

Really, 98° is a great idea for a teen-pop band: take an attractive boy band in the vein of Take That or N'Sync and have them sing Boyz II Men crossed with the Backstreet Boys. 98° followed this formula on their eponymous debut and were more or less successful. However, they've mastered the sound on their second record, 98° and Rising. Like any... Read More

Soul of a Woman
Artist: Kelly Price
Community Score: 6.08

Kelly Price first made her mark as a vocalist on Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money, Mo Problems" and Mase's "Feels So Good," which may give the casual observer the impression that she's a straight-up gangsta. Not so. Price is an urban crooner, much like a streetwise Mariah Carey or a domesticated Mary J. Blige. She has a sweet, smooth voice that's a... Read More