Source: AMG

Al Green “Lay It Down” (Blue Note)

Al Green’s Lay it Down is his third outing for Blue Note. This time out he enlisted James Poyser and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson of the hip-hop supergroup The Roots to produce this set. Green’s classic, warm soul sound remains unchanged–yet the record sounds utterly contemporary (without the use of sampling technology or synthetic beats). Corrine Bailey Ray, Anthony Hamilton and John Legend also appear as guests.

John Hiatt “Same Old Man” (New West)

John Hiatt’s 18th studio album Same Old Man finds him in considerably stronger and more nimble voice, even though the blessings and trials of maturity are a recurring theme in these 11 songs.

Usher “Here I Stand” (La Face)

After 2004’s Confessions, an album that transformed Usher from an R&B star into a pop superstar, the singer became a husband and father. That grants Here I Stand more lyrical depth than the four previous Usher albums, but we’re not talking fathoms. It is almost exactly the kind of release you’d expect a 29-year-old Usher to deliver in 2008, leaving no doubt that the R&B male crown (30 and under division) should not change hands.

Cyndi Lauper “Bring Ya to the Brink” (Epic)

Pop/Rock, Club/Dance, Dance-Pop

Original Soundtrack “Sex and the City” (New Line)

(Tracks by Fergie, Jennifer Hudson and India.Arie)

Film Music, Soundtracks, Pop/Rock, Urban, Dance-Pop

The Smithereens “Live in Concert! Greatest Hits and More” (Koch)

Pop/Rock, Hard Rock, Bar Band, Power Pop

Various Artists “Nigeria 70: Lagos Jump” (K7R)

Highlife, Afro-Beat, Afro-Pop