Sounding off: the best in recorded music. - 'My Everything,' 'Cookie: The Anthropological Mix Tape,' and 'Meant To Be;' includes information about other new releases - sound recording review

Ebony, March, 2002 by Lynn Norment

HELEN BAYLOR inspires and uplifts on her first album in five years, My Everything (Diadem/Verity). The multiple Dove and Stellar Award-winning gospel artist continues her mission of delivering moving testimonials on the selections offered here. Her emphatic "Lord, You're Holy" has the feel of an anthem, while "Harambee" (with Bob Carlisle) has a toe-tapping, hand-clapping R&B tempo, and her take on "How Sweet It Is" is set to a bluesy rhythm. She is joined by Marvin Winans for the duet title song that mixes R&B with traditional gospel. Throughout the recording, Baylor demonstrates why she is among the most loved and respected artists in the gospel music genre.

The multitalented, multidimensional MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO is back with her third recording, Cookie: The Anthropological Mix Tape (Warner Brothers/Maverick), and it is sure to win new listeners while delivering an invigorating set to her devoted fans. Meshell sets her lyrics about sex, love, religion, politics and beauty to "improvisational rhythm and blues," which results in a stew of funk, soul, spoken word, jazz, rock & roll and hip-hop. Backed by her outstanding five-piece band, The Conscientious Objectors, the cutting-edge artist and accomplished bassist offers a great mix of songs, including "Pocket Book," "Hot Night" and "God.Fear.Money." Among guest artists are Talib Kweli, Caron Wheeler, Lalah Hathaway and Marcus Miller.

NANCY WILSON and RAMSEY LEWIS prove once again that they make beautiful music together. On Meant To Be (Narada Jazz), the two Grammy Award-winning veteran artists team up for the first time since 1984's The Two of Us, and the pairing results in a mellifluous jazz set that soothes and inspires. Wilson, with more than 60 albums to her credit, lends stylish vocals to five songs, including the sultry "Moondance" and "Peel Me A Grape." Lewis, who has seven gold albums, demonstrates his mastery of the ivory keys. Throughout, the Ramsey Lewis Trio, which includes Ernie Adams and Larry Gray, delivers elegant performances. This collaboration was meant to be, and jazz fans are the big winners.

ALSO NOTED: Brandy, Full Moon (Altantic); Take Six, Beautiful World (WB); Pam & Dodi debut (MCA); The Ingrams, Southern Cooking (Blackberry); Kirk Franklin, The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin (Gospo Centric); Goin' Home: A Benefit for the

Duke Ellington Foundation (Lightyear/WEA), featuring Al Jarreau, Kirk Whalum, Gregory Hines, George Duke, Jeffrey Osborne, Nancy Wilson, Jerry Butler, among others; Walter Beasley, Rendezvous (Shanachie); Norah Jones debut (Blue Note); Frankie Knuckles, Motivation (Definity); Wu-Tang Clan, Iron Flag (Loud); Mystikal, Tarantula (Jive); Nas, Stillmatic (Columbia); RL, RL: Elements (J Records); Cherokee, Soul Parade (Trip/Arista); Swollen Members, Bad Dreams (Battleaxe); Nappy Roots, Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz (Atlantic); Tweet, Southern Hummingbird (Gold Mind/Elektra); Nora Roberts (Sony); Sharissa, No Half Steppin' (Motown); Kenna, New Sacred Cow (Flawless/ Interscope); All-4-One, A41 (AMC); Ray Chew & the Crew, Feelin' It (Charu); Spike Rebel, One By One (Radius/Universal); Fat Joe, Jealous Ones Still Envy (Atlantic); Trav debut, Fast Life (Motown); Susaye Greene, No Fear Here (Zed Records); Journalist, Scribes of Life (Motown); EZ Roc featuring Tha Krunk Family, Who Run Tha Yard (JEA Music); and J. Blackfoot, Same Time, Same Place (Basix Music). NEW DVDs: Janet Jackson, Design of a Decade 1986/1996 and The Rhythm Nation Compilation (Universal); Marcus Miller In Concert (MVD); and Curtis Mayfield In Concert (MVD).