NEW RELEASES: Chrisette Michele, Jazmine Sullivan, Ronald Isley, El Debarge, Eric Benet

Chrisette Michele, “Let Freedom Reign” (Def Jam) Soul/R&B crooner Chrisette Michele releases her third studio album ‘Let Freedom Reign,’ the follow-up to 2009’s No.1 debut ‘Epiphany.’ Ne-Yo wrote the lead single “I’m A Star,” which Chuck Harmony produced. “This is album is for the people who were there from the time I did ‘I Am,’ the people who supported those lyrics and that person,” Michelle recently told Singersroom. This is me going back and saying I gotta get the pen back, gotta get the paper back, I gotta write this myself. I want people to know that this album is from the bottom of my heart. No gimmicks.” (BUY NOW) Jazmine Sullivan, “Love Me Back” ( J Records) If Jazmine Sullivan’s debut album was Fearless, then her sophomore album, Love Me Back, is flawless. The soulful vocals, impeccable lyrics and production (Ne-Yo, Ryan Leslie and Missy Elliott) and R&B/reggae beats weave together a beautifully told love story. The sophomore LP finds Sullivan working with Ne-Yo, Los da Mystro, Ryan Leslie, Lamb, Missy Elliott and Salaam Remi. The set is lead my the singles “Holding Me Down (Goin’ in Circles)” and “10 Seconds.” (BUY NOW) Ron Isley, “Mr. I” (Def Jam) Isley Brothers veteran singer Ronald Isley releases his new album, ‘Mr. I,’ his first since being released from prison seven months ago for tax evasion. He is joined by Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill and T.I. on the LP. As far as staying relevant, Ron recently told Singersroom, “You have to know what’s happening and continue to learn. You have to ask yourself “Where is that business going? Or what could I do that I haven’t done?” Whatever it is, I just do it.” (BUY NOW) Eric Benet, “Lost in Time” (Warner Bros.) R&B crooner Eric Benet releases his fifth studio album, ‘Lost in Time,’ which is the follow-up to his ultra-romantic 2008 album ‘Love & Life.’ Led by the first single “Sometimes I Cry,” the disc also features duets Faith Evans, Chrisette Michele, Ledisi and the O’Jays Eddie Levert. “I want people to remember what music is and what it can feel like; and to do that, I knew the record had to be all about the musician and the actual song,” says Benét. “The desire to do that took me all the way back to that time—around 1972 through 1976—and like a lot of others, my development as an artist is a direct result of being immersed in that era.” (BUY NOW) El DeBarge, “Second Chance” (Geffen) ‘Second Chance’, El DeBarge’s first album is 16 years is finally on a sore shelve near you. The album features collaborations with some of music’s most notable hitmakers, including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Babyface, Ron Fair, Mike City, Michael Angelo, Faith Evans and the Avila Brothers. “I know that I feel good about the music I am doing,” El tells Singersroom. “I know that what comes from my heart has always reach peoples heart. I am still coming from a genuine standpoint of just who I am and what people have liked and loved about the DeBarge sound. I haven’t changed it a bit; it’s still the same. It’s full of harmonies, it’s soulful, it’s joyful; music you can make love to, the whole nine.” (BUY NOW) Black Eye Peas, “The Beginning” (Interscope) The Black Eyed Peas’ forthcoming album is titled ‘The Beginning,’ and this first single, “The Time (The Dirty Bit),” samples the chorus of the hit song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” which was featured in the movie “Dirty Dancing.” will.i.am on the new LP: “I’d say it’s a continuation of some of the positivity. For example, if someone’s having a bad week, a bad month, a bad year, and they say to you, “You know Steve, I’m tired of this. I’m going to change, and I’m going to start right now. I’ve got a feeling tonight’s gonna be a good night.” And the next morning you say, “Hey, how was it?” And he or she is going to say, “You know, I had the time of my life.” So yeah, there’s a lyrical correlation. It’s about keeping it moving and staying positive.” (BUY NOW)

Singersroom

Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.