The songs on this collection defy the current soul and R&B charts, being more texturally defined and organic than some of the current bling-based hits du jour. A nice mix of established soul veterans such as
Rosie Gaines and
Me'Shell NdegéOcello temper the relative amount of newcomers on the disc, but all the artists share in the common threads of jazz, blues, hip-hop, and even gospel to craft their respective tunes. While some of the more well-known heavy hitters of nu-soul are notably absent, this compilation will appeal to those both new and seasoned in the nu-soul market. ~ Rob Theakston