new music tuesday

Common: Universal Mind Control

Produced entirely by the Neptunes, the album features a combination of laid-back lyrical stylings like the days when he was known as Common Sense, as well as more up-tempo tracks in which some come off a bit desperate to fit into a commercial category. The album’s attention grabbing lead single “Universal Mind Control”, which samples Afrika Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock”, is destined to get major club spins. It’s the only club-ready track on the entire album in which there’s a perfect transition from the typical lyrically infused tracks we’re used to hearing from the Chicago rapper.

 “Punch Drunk Love” follows with fellow G.O.O.D. artist Kanye West on the hook which adds another record to the Neptunes’ catalog of perfectly crafted beats. The merging of hi-hat sounds with electric organ interjections make this easily one of the top three tracks on the album.                                       -All Hip Hop.com

Musiq Soulchild: OnMyRadio

Musiq Soulchild is the most enduring male solo artist to come out of the Philly soul movement that also gave us Jill Scott and Bilal, and now that he lives in Atlanta, home to some of the hottest names in urban music (T.I., Usher), he's got a new confidence. That's what makes his fifth CD, OnMyRadio, a welcome departure from previous work, which started to all sound the same around 2003's Soulstar. He hasn't abandoned his romantic roots, but he was wise to enrich them with Southern charm.
                                                 -EW.com