Sounding Off. - Review - sound recording review

Ebony, May, 2001 by Lynn Norment

THE soundtrack for The Brothers movie (Warner Bros.) is a great CD that features an array of artists and music for almost every taste. Eric Benet kicks off the recording with his percolating "Love Don't Love Me," followed by Jermaine Dupri & ROC, featuring Lil' Mo, on "Lay It Down." Other cuts that stand out include Gerald and Eddie Levert delivering a soulful "Two of a Kind," Snoop Dogg's catchy, supermellow "Hi 2 You," DL's Josephine," Maze featuring Frankie Beverly on "teach Each Other," Dave Hollister's "Forever," and Marcus Miller's "The Love Theme."

MIKI HOWARD is back after a long hiatus, and her soulful vocals are as powerful as ever on Three Wishes (Peak Records). The first single, "Nobody," is a soul-stirring tribute to a good mate, while the title song, "Three Wishes," is a sultry declaration of desire for a man who is already committed. She gives another view of unrequited love with the melancholy, jazzy "Kiss of a Stranger." On each of the 10 songs, Howard demonstrates she still has the voice and delivery that previously captured the hearts and ears of music lovers.

JANET JACKSON heats up the music charts with a new CD, All For You (Virgin), and the sizzling title single that shows off her pretty vocals. Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who have a long string of hits with Jackson, the recording offers a number of great tunes, including "Trust a Try," which tells of a relationship devoid of trust; "When We Ooo," about a special love that also encompasses spirituality, and the dance tune "Come On Get Up." On each, Janet jams.

The spirit surely will be uplifted by The Storm Is Over (EMI), the new recording from BISHOP T.D. JAKES & THE POTTER'S HOUSE MASS CHOIR. The ebullient title song, written by R. Kelly, is delivered masterfully by D'Atra Hicks and Rodney Boyden. The recording is packed full of great songs, including "When My Season Comes," with vocalist Myron Williams; "Let Your Glory Fill This Place," with Donnie McClurkin's powerful vocals; and "Marvelous," with Beverly Crawford, written by Kirk Franklin and Myron Butler. Through it all, Bishop Jakes and his choir demonstrate that music is indeed a powerful universal language.

ALSO NOTED: Destiny's Child, Survivor (Columbia); Kingdom Come soundtrack, written/produced by Kirk Franklin, featuring Jill Scott, Carl Thomas, Shawn Stockman, Mary Mary, Deborah Cox, and Kurt Carr (GospoCentric); People Get Ready tribute to Curtis Mayfield (Red Clay Recordings); Marvin Gaye, What's Going On-Deluxe Edition (Motown); Missy Elliott, Miss E ... So Addictive (Elektra); Snoop Dogg, Dead Man Walking (Death Row); India.Arie, Acoustic Soul (Motown); Delilah Harris, BigHeaded Girl (PaperNotes); Koffee Brown, Mars/Venus (Arista); Olivia, Bizounce (J Records); The Best of Levert (Rhino); Lil' Mo, Based on a True Story (Elektra); V.A., One By One (Dreamworks); Canela debut (Dreamworks); Jaheim, Ghetto Love (WB); Angie Martinez, Up Close and Personal (Elektra); Howard Hewett, The Journey (Epic/Harmony); Fred Hammond Presents: "in case you missed it ... and then some" (Verily); Desmond Pringle, Loyally (Tommy Boy Gospel); Windy City Spiritualaires, Live in Bama (Amec); Joshua Redman, Passage of Time (Warner Bros.); Doc Powell, Life Changes (Samson Records); Von Freeman, Live at The Dakota (Premonition); Luico Hopper, Reflections (Ralston Hill Music); Sherman Irby, Black Warrior (Black Warrior); Buckwheat Zydeco, Down Home Live (Tomorrow Recordings); Putumayo Presents Jamaica (Putumayo); and Every Tone A Testimony: An African American Aural History (Smithsonian Folkways).