The title certainly gets it right – as the great keyboardist Bob Baldwin turns over some sweet mellow takes on the classic music of Stevie Wonder! Bob's the mainman at the helm for most of the record – working on Fender Rhodes, piano, and other keyboards – and even vocalizing just a bit – and there's also sweet instrumental contributions on the album from U-Nam and Chieli Minucci on guitars, Marion Meadows and Ryan Kilgore on saxes, and Ragan Whiteside on flute – all players who know just how to get into the right sort of 70s vibe that Baldwin's going for on the record! The focus on Stevie's tunes makes the album a bit hipper than some of Bob's other recent albums – although we also like those quite a bit – and titles include "Don't You Worry Bout A Thing", "Creepin", "The Real Thing/Keepin It Real", "Superwoman/Where Were You When I Needed You Most", and "Love's In Need Of Love Today" – plus the Baldwin originals "Stevie" and "Wonder Wander". (Jazz, Neo Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

Jon Batiste steps out of his jazzy comfort zone, and opens the door to a whole host of global elements – and also manages to step into the world of soul as well! The record's almost to Batiste what the Black Radio projects were to Robert Glasper – showing a growing cultural presence past that of a jazz musician – as Batiste works with a host of guests who include Native Soul, Lana Del Rey, Leigh Anne, Lil Wayne, JJID, and others – fusing jazzy solo work, soulful vocals, and contemporary grooves into a tapestry that is bound to get the Jon Batiste name out there in ways his previous records never did. The approach isn't one for jazz purists, but then again, Jon's never really been a purist overall – and we gladly embrace the project as the sort that's opening doors to new ears, then leading them back to jazz! Titles include "Uneasy", "Call Now", "Boom For Real", "Movement 18", "Life Lesson", "White Space", "Running Away", "My Heart", "Drink Water", "Raindance", and "Be Who You Are". (Jazz, Neo Soul) CD

Singer Lisa Decker shares the set with two different groups – Nautilus on one side, and Saturnvybz on the other – both of whom provide some great grooves for her vocals! Nautilus have a style that's nice and lean – a core funky trio with lots of sweet keyboards that slide in warmly, and resonate strongly alongside Decker's presentation of the lyrics. Saturnvybz are a bit more guitar-based, and bring out a different quality in Lisa's voice – maybe a bit more pointed, yet still as powerful – balancing things out nicely. Nautilus tunes include "Free", "Let's Wake Up", "Rimy Whitewater", and "Summer Child". Saturnvybz tracks include "Stay With Me", "Love & Hope", and "On My Way". CD

An amazing album produced and arranged by legendary Philly mastermind Larry Gold – the cello player/writer/arranger for MFSB – and a key player in the best Philly soul of the last several decades! Don Cello & Friends features Gold as Don Cello – and the friends include Black Thought of the Roots, McFadden & Whitehead, Carol Riddick, Gerald Levert, Kindred The Family Soul, Jaguar Wright, Bunny Sigler and others. The goal for the set was not only to celebrate the depth and rich history of Philly soul with a variety of vocalists, but to draw a direct parallel with the best of today's scene. It succeeds at both masterfully. Gold's production and arranging is lush and sparkling – and the vocalists bring the very best of their games. Black Thought's rhymes on the lead off remake of "No Stoppin'", with McFadden & Whitehead, sets the stage perfectly – think the Roots on Curtom, and that's about half the picture! Much of the album carries more of a classic soul sheen – smooth and sparkling, with just enough grit for a nice edge! In the liner notes, Gold explains that he loves songs from "Gamble, Huff to Timbaland" – and this album is the perfect sonic encapsulation of that aesthetic! Possibly the best album yet with the relatively fledgling Beat Generation imprint – and a great signpost for the future of underground soul! 12 tracks including "Loving You" with Carol Riddick, "Dance" with Gerald Levert, "And I Hope" featuring Floetry, "Travelin'" with Kameelah Waheed, ""All That You Are" featuring Kindred, "Nothin'" with Jaguar Wright, "Just A Dream" with Erro, "Everybody" with Cristal Oliver, "Can I" with Bunny Sigler, and Larry Gold's "Outro". CD

(New Grooves, Neo Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Nubiyan Twist just keep on getting better and better with each new record – finding a sound that pushes way past their roots, and which uses the bold energy of their large London ensemble to unlock a new way of linking together jazz, soul, and Afrobeat! This album introduces singer Aziza Jaye to the group – a great vocalist who helps them find even more focus than before – in a driving blend of drums, percussion, keyboards, and wonderfully well-crafted horns – supported here with guest appearances from Nile Rodgers on guitar on one track, Corto Alto on trombone and another, and vocal features from Seun Kuti, Ria Moran, and others. Titles include "Pray For Me", "Lights Out", "All the Same", "Woman", "Carry Me", "Battle Isn't Over", "So Mi Stay", "Reach My Soul", and "Find Your Flame". (Global Grooves, Neo Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

A really great step forward for singer Alice Russell – an artist you might know best from heavier funk sets, but who comes across here in lean deep soul style that's even better for her incredible voice! In face, although we fell in love with Alice from her very first record many years ago, we'd kinda forgot how great she is – an error that's corrected strongly by this well-crafted album, which is also a set that may well catapult Russell into the world of superstardom! Titles include "Agreement", "Gravity", "Square", "I Am", "Things", "Sinner", "Light", "I See You", and "Rain". LP, Vinyl record album