DA-PROFESSOR'S FAVORITE ALBUMS/CDS OF 2010

This list was very hard for me to put together because I love music so much. (No one said being a music critic would be easy) but I gotta follow my heart and love for great music.


1. CRAIG DAVID-SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED-Craig David did a great job covering several Motown classics as well as adding his own flavor to them. His midtempo version of The Temptaions' "Just My Imagination" is cool and has a bluesy feel, while his rendition of Papa Was A Rollin' Stone has funky breaks during the third verses. He also rips "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by having a hot call & response with the background vocalists. I also love how he pays tribute to The Four Tops by sampling their vocals on the album's lead single "One More Night (Standing In The Shadows of Love) which was tearing up the clubs last spring with the hot House beats. The album also showcased David's ability to sing higher ranges.

2.MICHAEL JACKSON-MICHAEL-Right before MJ died, he had recorded lots of songs with his lead vocals, and to complete the album, many producers did what they could to bring the songs to life and while it couldn't be great being that MJ had left us too soon, it showed where he was at musically and lyrically and the direction he was headed. Songs like "Hollywood" showed that MJ knew about the glamours life, while "Monster" featuring 50 Cent, who's vocals didn't need to be computerized and "Breaking News" dealt with Jackson's trademark lyrics of deceptive people and the tabloids. Albums highlights-"Hold My Hand" with Akon and his colabortaion with Lenny Kravitz on "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" showed that Jackson had never lost his Rock Edge.

3. Miguel-All I Want Is You-When Miguel tried to secure a record deal during the Latin Explosion era, many executives didn't want to market him because of his ethnic features (some actually told him he looked like he was part Japanesse) so he was pushed in the background as a writer. After years of being in the background, the talented African American/Mexican singer/songwriter decided to come to the forefront and now he's winning fans with his mixture of R&B/Funk and Rock. In addition to his vocals, Miguel has tight pen game that will sets him apart from many of today's R&B singers.
Album highlights: Quickie, Vixen, My Piece

4.EL DEBARGE-SECOND CHANCE-When El peformed at last year's BET Awards, everybody was happy to see that he still had the pipes and showmanship that made him a class act. Well the former lead singer of the family group DeBarge wasn't done there. He landed a deal with Geffen Records and the week after Thanksgiving, he dropped his long awaited album "Second Chance" which started to sell very fast to the point where record stores had to request several more shipments. The CD has the classic El DeBarge sound; inspirtational lyrics, smooth melodies, his trademark falsetto and nice piano riffs. He also honored his family and their legacy by sampling their classic "Stay With Me" for the song 5 Seconds with Fabulous and for a limited time he released a bonus CD of Christmas Tunes.
Album Highlights-"Lay With You (With Faith Evans), "5 Seconds" (With Fabulous) "Second Chance," "Joyful"

5.THE TEMPTATIONS-STIL HERE The Temptations are still tempting fans all around the world and they released a hot CD last year which was their first album of original material since 2004, and it has that classic 5 part harmony that made them famous in 1964. A mixture of love and political songs, the Emperors of Soul are showing the world that they still have the capabilities to put out great quality music.
Albums Highlights-"Change Has Come," "Let Me Catch Your Diamonds," "Shawtyismygirl"

6.ANYE ELITE-SNEAK PREVIEW & JESSE-O-LOVE AND GO CRAZY (TIE)
Anye Elite dropped a hot mix tape of hot party jams and love songs with lots to Gay themes and references including the first single "I Got Him" where he show his ability to rap as well as sing. He also did a Rock flavored song called "My Name Ain't Shawty" and an inspriational song "I Should Be Crying"
Anye's album highlights-"I Got Him" (Original and Remix), "Icon," "Exclusively," "I Should Be Crying," "My Name Ain't Shawty"
Jesse-O returned with a hot CD that has listenings dancing and thinking about love. Teaming with legendary producer Tori Fixx, the Out Music Award Nominated singer/songwriter/cheographer step up his game vocally and lyrically following with songs about being persued, falling in love with a Island Man, and dismissing a cheating lover after catching him in bed with a trick. Jesse also recorded some songs inspriational songs as well.
Jesse's album highlights-"Holla At Me," "Island Luv," "It's Over," "Sober,"

7. RON ISLEY-MR I. When Isley was released from prison, he hit the road and the studio to give his fans a hot album that has the classic Isley Brothers feel; timeless love songs. The CD is great, but what was lacking was brother Ernie's guitar riffs. The digital ones took away from the live feel, but the CD is great and it show why Ron has been able to stay in the ever changing music industry for over 6 decades.
Album's Highlights-"Put Your Money On Me," "No More," "Take It How You Want It," "Dance For Me."

8.CHRIS BROWN-In My Zone 1 & In My Zone 1 (TIE) Chris Brown did the smart thing by taking the mix-tape route to showcase his versatile singing style and rapping as well as keep his true fans talking about his talent.
The first mix tape showcased his sexual side with his versions of Trey Songz's "Say Ahh" and "I Invented Sex" with the latter being retitled "I Invented Head."
Album Highlight-"Glow In The Dark."
The second mixtape had more diversity and it could have done without much of the synsersized vocals, but he did have some hot joints including "Talk Shit"

9.JEREMIH-ALL ABOUT YOU-The Chicago native who created the hit and term "Birthday Sex" came back with the conitunation of where his self-titled debut left off. The talented singer/songwriter also featured some songs about heartbreak and pain as well as collaboarated with 50 Cent and Ludacris. For his next release I'm looking forard to seeing more from this talented performer
ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS-Take Off, "I Like," "Holding On."

10. THE QURE-GAY 4 PAY-This Texas based Openly Gay Hip-Hop duo came hard with their debut displaying their individual flows and style over some hot beats.
ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS-"Baby Mama," "Take That," "Milk & Cookies," "Revenge," "Turn On Da Fans," "Gravediggers."