CD Reviews: Jazimine, T.I. J-Hud

Jazimine Sullivan - Fearless

Jazmine Sullivan may be just 21, but the singer/ songwriter proves herself a veteran in the game of love on her debut, which has already spawned the No. 1 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart hit "Need U Bad," produced by mentor Missy Elliott. She sure doesn't sound like someone whose bad side you want to visit, based on songs like the Salaam Remi-produced "Bust Your Windows," where a brokenhearted Sullivan confesses to smashing the windows of her cheating boyfriend's car, and "Call Me Guilty," about murdering an abusive partner. Luckily, the Philly native sounds less scorned on the encouraging, whistle-laden "Dream Big" and the playful, doo-wop inspired "Switch!," which details her liking a date's best friend.

T.I. - Paper Trail
It's been a tumultuous year of offstage drama for T.I., but "Paper Trail" finds him back in the driver's seat. The MC reasserts his lyrical skills on tracks like "I'm Illy," clearly recorded during his house arrest stint on weapons charges, where he speaks frankly about his life. The Kanye West-produced "Swagger Like Us" featuring Jay-Z, West and Lil Wayne is a clear highlight, as is the Rihanna-led "Live Your Life." Despite appearances by Swizz Beatz, John Legend, Usher and Ludacris (surprising, considering their long rivalry), the focus remains squarely on T.I. throughout. When you've got a lot of distractions, especially looming prison time, it's not always the best muse. But T.I. hasn't given in to his situation. Instead, he's embodied literature's most popular archetype—the survivor—by transforming his woes into a reflective, enjoyable album.

Jennifer Hudson

No one has electrified the world with a single song quite like Jennifer Hudson did in "Dreamgirls." Her vocally impeccable, gut-wrenching version of "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" brought movie audiences to their feet and won her the best supporting actress Academy Award in 2007. Nearly two years later, her self-titled debut showcases a voice so big, with an interpretive talent so natural, that it seems to burst beyond the confines of the recording. Clive Davis and co. put her through the current pop paces: guest spots by T-Pain ("What's Wrong") and Ludacris ("Pocketbook"), the requisite Diane Warren ballad ("You Pulled Me Through"), Norwegian pop courtesy of production team Stargate ("Spotlight"). But Hudson is so comfortable with singing—whatever the song might be—that she elevates the material, making it sound like nothing you've ever heard before. All hail the new diva.

(Source:  Billboard.com)