Everyone would love to have a megahit record like Estelle’s “American Boy,” but the few who do, often find themselves at a loss for their next move—some try too hard to recreate that hit; others try too hard to distance themselves from it. On All of Me, however, Estelle wisely retains the personality and spirit that contributed to her successful first and second albums, but doesn’t dwell on the past. She sounds just as comfortable as she did on her last album, and overall, delivers her best LP yet.

Estelle has a broad scope of influences, but she successfully bends those various styles to her will and makes them all feel coherent. “Thank You” is more traditional R&B, but she simultaneously moves into the present and the past of the genre with the slinky “Cold Crush.” Many songs do feel like they fit into one specific radio format or another, but there’s enough effort put into the work that it all feels sincere rather than coming off as a series of deliberate cash-grabs.

There wasn’t necessarily much doubt, but Estelle has firmly proved that she’s worth checking for. In addition to her general growth as an artist, All of Me mainly works due to Estelle having the confidence to let it work instead of over-thinking it. She’s smoothly navigated around the burden of expectation, so while it remains to be seen if the public responds as well as they did last time, she’s done her part by delivering a solid album.

Herstory, is the fourth CD from Gail Jhonson, the First Lady of Smooth Jazz. She says, …”My story begins with her story…this is dedicated to you Mom!’

The music blends jazz, R&B and soul. It kicks off with Make It Happen, an uptempo, funky live trio. Electric Lady reveals her synthesizer work on the keytar , a treat for fusion fans. Crusin‘ After Dark , a summertime jam with guest trumpeter Lin Rountree. Still Care About Me, if you ever been in love, you’ll understand this passionate vocal feature by Ms Jhonson.

In past years, she has performed with Morris Day, Bobby Womack, Pink, Norman Brown, Vanessa Williams, Bobby Lyle/featuring Mindi Abair, Dave Koz, Jermaine Jackson and Sheila E. With early influences of Duke Ellington and Herbie Hancock and later Stevie Wonder and Joe Sample, Gail has shared the stage with Ray Parker Jr. Vesta, Howard Hewitt, Brian Culbertson, OC Smith, Paul Jackson Jr. Pamela Williams, Phil Perry and yes, Milli Vanilli. Her various television performances include: BET on Jazz, MTV, Lou Rawls/Parade of Stars, Soul Train, The Tonight Show and numerous video performances. Gail also has a love for theatre znd Gospel Musicals.

The journey continues with a tribute to her son Aaron aka Vein, with a smooth midtempo bass performance from Dwayne “Smitty” Smith and sweet vocals by daughter Tamina on Dear Aaron. The title cut , HerStory, produced by Chuck Jefferson pumps your heart & makes you understand that this lady has something for you to feel. After that ballad whoo’s you, jump back into swing with saxophonist Tom Braxton on Do Something Else, whose partial proceeds benefit The Do Foundation. This One, great smooth jazz top tappin’ listen, nice duet with Lin Rountree.

For You Mom, the soul searching solo piano piece dedicated to the lady that was a loving inspiration to her daughter, so she could someday tell her story…in music. American Boy features the feminine side of jazz with Jazz In P!nk, a lively rendition of the hit single. The bonus track Dee‘s Dance, named for her mother is reminiscent of early contemporary jazz and her Philly musical roots.

Gail invites you to join her on her musical journey for her upcoming live show on Friday, April 6th, at  Jazz at Sea / Onyx World Class @ Cicada, 614 Olive Street in Los Angeles, California, where she will be performing her new hit from Herstorty “American Boy”

Find out more about Lalah Hathaway

“Everything about this recording is about making a larger picture out of many various elements,” says Carrington, who produced the 14-song set. “I assembled several friends – most of whom I’ve performed with in the past, and all of whom bring their own individual story – to help me create the big picture. For as talented as each of them are as individuals, when I put them all together, I have a much greater musical story – one that can be told in an interesting and compelling way.”

Included on that list of friends are some of the most prominent female jazz artists of the last few decades: Esperanza Spalding, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Sheila E., Nona Hendryx, Cassandra Wilson, Geri Allen and several others. Carrington says the emergence of so many great female jazz artists is what finally makes an album like The Mosaic Project possible, more so now than in decades past.

“If I had tried to do something like this in the past – like when I started playing 25 years ago – I might have felt limited by the pool of available musicians,” she says. “But now there are so many talented women whom I’ve been playing with anyway – not just because they’re women but because I love the way they play. So it has become easier to do a special project that celebrates the artistry and the musicality of these women.”

Clearly, Carrington’s picture is never quite what it seems. With so many individual voices and perspectives in the mix, the results are often eye-opening and ear-opening. “There’s one part of me that’s kind of a jazz head who likes complex, thought provoking melodies and harmonies,” she says. “And then there’s another part of me that really likes funk and pop and things that are accessible. This record is another chance for me to assemble all of these great musicians to help me combine those different aspects of myself – those different pieces – and create something special in the process.

“Play” is just a taste of the musical feast Goapele will be offering this fall when her new album, Break of Dawn, to be released October 24th. Collaborating with an array of creative folks including Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, Bobby Ozuna, Malay, Dan Electric and Bedrock, fans will bare witness to a more free-spirited Goapele. “One of my goals for [Break of Dawn] was to be more uninhabited,” Goapele says. “I came into this business as a young woman who wanted to lay a foundation of musical integrity and now I’m more willing to share my sensuality as well. I realize that it’s possible to be both complex and provocative.”

Beyoncé‘s new album will be titled 4, the singer has revealed, and is influenced by Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.

In an interview with Billboard, she revealed the initial inspiration for the album came from the Nigerian music legend: “I recorded more than 60 songs: everything I ever wanted to try, I just did it. I started off being inspired by Fela Kuti. I actually worked with the band from Fela! (the Broadway musical based on his life) for a couple of days … what I learned most from Fela was artistic freedom: he just felt spirit.”

Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z, was a co-producer of the Fela Kuti musical.

The singer has already debuted the first single from 4, Run the World (Girls), and is expected to premiere the video soon.

Discussing the album title, the R&B star said the inspiration came from her fans using the number as shorthand. “Everywhere I look, I see them calling it 4. I had a whole other name and concept, but I keep seeing that the fans love the name 4. I think it would be a really nice thing to let them name the record.”

The number also has a personal significance for Beyoncé. “We all have special numbers in our lives, and 4 is that for me. It’s the day I was born. My mother’s birthday, and a lot of my friends’ birthdays are on the fourth – 4 April is my wedding date.”

Beyoncé Knowles … ‘I thought I’d let my fans name the record’.

Release date is confirmed for June 28th