New R&B Album/CD Releases: February 2009 Edition

When you think of February and music the one thing that stands out is the coveted Grammy Awards but this year there are also a ton of new releases that make February the first of many soul-filled months in 2009.

As covered in Singersroom’s “Like I Never Left: A Look At 2009s Most Anticipated Comebacks and Releases,” 2009 is set to be full of new music from the likes of Maxwell, Toni Braxton, Monica, Whitney Houston and India Arie. The latter of the aforementioned singers, India Arie, is set to release February’s most anticipated album “Testimony, Vol. 2: Love & Politics”.

“Testimony Vol.2...” is India Arie’s follow up to the Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed set “Testimony, Vol. 1: Life & Relationship.”  The album also marks a new beginning of sorts for the former Universal/Motown artist who has a deal with Republic.

In speaking about the effort earlier this year, Arie says “Everything was out of order. I was emotionally unwell and also tired of the challenge of fitting into someone else’s paradigm of a black artist.”

“I stepped into the next phase of my evolution: a healthier place where I need to do what I want to do.”

The result of Arie’s frustration and time away is an album she says truly “represents me vocally, lyrically and sonically.” As expected, fans of soulful music and more importantly music that is uncompromised due to commercial demands, are pre-ordering and reading their wallets for Arie’s much acclaimed dose of timeless soul and reality.

In addition to India Arie’s album, February also houses the long-awaited debut from Ryan Leslie who has released a number of singles including “Addiction,” “How It Was Supposed To Be” and “Diamond Girl” over the last two years.

Leslie’s Next Selection/Universal debut will be released February 10th, the same date set for India Arie’s “Testimony Vol 2, Love & Politics” as well as the third album from R&B singer and former Disturbing the Peace artist Bobby Valentino (also known as Bobby V).

Bobby V, who is now heading his own label Blu Kolla Dreams, will release “The Rebirth,” an album he told Singersroom is his best work thus far: “I’ve grown musically. I got a chance to work with Raphael Saadiq on this album.”

In addition to Raphael Saadiq, Bobby V’s ‘Rebirth’ features Yung Joc on the lead single “Beep” and a surprising collaboration with Gospel great, Dottie Peoples on the album’s title track.

Other notable February releases in R&B include former Bad Boy recording stars B5, who will release a DVD titled “The Journey So Far” on February 24th ; Charlie Wilson, who releases the long-awaited follow up to 2005s “Charlie, Last Name Wilson” on Feb. 17; the debut disc from American Idol alum Melinda Doolittle; and two posthumous remastered albums from Stax Records’ Isaac Hayes titled “Black Moses (Deluxe Edition)” and “Juicy Fruit: Disco Freak”.

For more on these releases, review our tracklisting and release date listing below. You may also notice a few missing February releases including J. Holiday’s “Round 2,” for more information on those please see our Release Date changes list below.

* Please note: Release dates and tracklistings are subject to change without notice.


February 2009 Release Date Schedule:


February 3rd



Melinda Doolittle “Coming Back To You”
The debut album from 2007 American Idol star Melinda Doolittle.

Tracklisting:

1. Fundamental Things
2. It’s Your Love
3. Coming Back To You
4. Declaration of Love
5. The Best of Everything
6. Wonderful
7. Dust My Broom
8. I’ll Never Stop Loving You
9. I Will Be
10. If I’m Not In Love
11. Walkin’ Bluew
12. We Will Find A Way
13. Wonder Why



February 10th
(India Arie, Bobby Valentino, Ryan Leslie)


India Arie “ Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics”
Led by the singles “Chocolate High” and “Therapy,” India Arie’s new album becomes the first release under her imprint Soulbird/Republic. Musiq Soulchild and MC Lyte are among those who join Arie on this effort.

Tracklisting:

1. Intro - Grains
2. Therapy
3. Psalms 23
4. Chocolate High
5. He Heals Me
6. Interlude - Grains
7. Pearls
8. River Rise
9. Yellow
10. Better Way
11. Interlude - Grains
12. Long Goodbye
13. Ghetto
14. The Cure
15. Outro - Grains


Bobby Valentino (Bobby V.) - “The Rebirth”
The first release for Bobby V. on his label Blu Kolla Dreams featuring the lead single “Beep” feat. Yung Joc.

Tracklisting:

1. The Rebirth
2. Make You The Only One
3. Hands On Me
4. My Girl
5. Butterfly Tattoo
6. Just Me & You
7. Beep
8. 3 Is the New 2
9. You’re Not Alone
10. Be My Love
11. Dance The Night Away
12. On The Edge
13. Make You Say
14. Stay With Me
15. Another Life
16. Give Me Your Heart


Ryan Leslie “Ryan Leslie”
The debut album from Next Selection star Ryan Leslie, featuring the singles “Diamond Girl,” “Addiction,” and “How It Was Supposed To Be”.

1. Diamond Girl
2. Addiction feat. Cassie & Fabolous
3. You're Fly
4. Quicksand
5. Valentine
6. Just Right
7. How It Was Supposed To Be
8. Irina
9. Out Of The Blue
10. Shouldn't Have To Wait
11. Wanna Be Good
12. Gibberish




February 17th



Charlie Wilson - “Uncle Charlie”
The return of Gap Band singer Charlie Wilson via Jive featuring guest appearances from Justin Timberlake, T-Pain, and Snoop Dogg.

Tracklisting:

1. Musta Heard
2. Shawty Come Back
3. There Goes My Baby
4. Can’t Live Without You
5. Back To Love
6. One Time
7. Let It Out
8. Love, Love, Love
9. What You Do
10. Homeless
11. Thinkin’ of You
12. Supa Sexy


February 24th
(B5, Isaac Hayes)


B5: Journey So Far (DVD)

Synopsis (according to E1): When B5 first stepped onto the music scene in 2005 young girls everywhere took one look at the handsome Breeding (Breeding 5 =  B5) brothers and gasped with joy. Ranging in ages from 13 to 19, the brothers were the perfect package: good looking, talented, and charming. Dustin, Kelly, Patrick, Carnell, and Bryan merge the old school flair and finesse of the Jackson Five with the modern day pop appeal of N'Sync and the raw energy of New Edition. Their self-titled debut CD was a top 20 hit on the Billboard 200 and peaked at number seven on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart. Having just left Bad Boy Records, the boys are set to take their destiny into their own hands with their first DVD release since the departure. This DVD features never before seen footage of performances, interviews, recording in the studio, and many other behind the scenes gems of their career.



Isaac Hayes - “Black Moses (Deluxe Edition)”
Isaac Hayes' landmark 1971 double disc set is now reintroduced with completely restored album packaging, expanded liner notes, rare photographs, and digitally remastered sound, according to Amazon.

Tracklisting:

Disc: 1
1. Never Can Say Goodbye
2. (They Long To Be) Close To You
3. Nothing Takes The Place Of You
4. Man's Temptation
5. Part-Time Love
6. Medley: Ike's Rap IV / A Brand New Me
7. Going In Circles

Disc: 2
1. Never Gonna Give You Up
2. Medley: Ike's Rap II / Help Me Love
3. Need To Belong To Someone
4. Good Love
5. Medley: Ike's Rap III / Your Love Is So Doggone Good
6. For The Good Times
7. I'll Never Fall In Love Again


Isaac Hayes - “Juicy Fruit: Disco Freak”
Isaac Hayes' long out of print 1976 smash "Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak)" is now available for the first time on compact disc. This release features expanded liner notes, rare photographs, and digitally remastered sound, according to Amazon.





*Release Date Changes (Previously Due In February):

- J. Holiday’s anticipated sophomore effort, “Round 2,” is now scheduled for release March 9, according to Capitol Records.    

- Lionel Richie’s new album, “Just Go,” has been reset for release on March 17th instead of the original date set of February 17th, according to Island/Def Jam.


* Upcoming Releases (March/April)

- The Dream "Love Vs. Money"
- J. Holiday "Round 2"
- Le Toya Luckett "Lady Love"
- Chrisette Michele "TBA"

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