M U S I C   H I G H L I G H T S

On the charts:

Dwayne Wiggins
Eyes Never Lie
Kimberly Ponder, NEXT Rating: NE 1/2

Summary: On "The Eyes Never Lie" Dwayne Wiggins, member of the hit R&B group Tony, Toni, Tone, uses his guitar and shows himself as an individual and it 'Feels Good.' Dwayne Wiggins is "not just another nasty little R&B singer". He is a singer for all music lovers. Artist website: http://www.dwaynewiggins.com Label websites: http://www.motown.com
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David Hollister
Ghetto Hymns
NEXT Rating: NEX (Good)

Summary: "I Can't Stay," "My Favorite Girl" and "I Keep Forgetting" make this an album to remember. See David Hollister in concert Saturday, August 12 at Great Plains Coliseum in Lawton, Okla. at 7 p.m.
Artist website: http://www.davehollister.com

Label websites: http:// www.dreamworksrecords.com
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Clay Davidson
Unconditional
NEXT rating: NEX 1/2 (Good)

Summary: There's just not a weak number in the collection. "Unconditional" is every bit as powerful and heart-wrenching on the album as it is sandwiched between lesser artists and inane commercials -- more so, in fact, because the music on either side is equally strong-natured.
Artist website: http://www.claydavidson.com/
Label websites: http://www.virginrecordsnashville.com/
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Whitney Houston
Whitney The Greatest Hits
NEXT Rating: NEX1/4 (Good)

Summary: The collection offers 36 tracks. It is the perfect chance for any Whitney fan old or new to reminisce or become reacquainted, but don't throw out her original recordings, they still offer the best tracks and many favorites that didn't make this collection.
Artist website: http://www.whitney-houston.com
Label websites: http://www.arista.com
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B.J. Thomas
You Call That A Mountain
NEXT rating: NEX 1/2 (Good)

Summary: Thomas' new album, "You Call That A Mountain," captures all the down-to-earth personality and unique vocal character that has made him such a fan favorite for more than three decades. His voice has always been distinctive, and his material has usually been just right for the times.
Artist website: http://members.aol.com/
Sing4usBJT/BJThomas.html

Label websites: http://www.kardina.com/
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Dalvin Degrate
Met.A.Mor.Phic
NEXT Rating: NEX (Good)

Summary: Those who figured Dalvin did little in Jodeci besides show up, Met.A.Mor.Phic will be in for an eye opening experience. For Jodeci fans who are still awaiting a reunion, this album shows the growth and diversity that can be expected when they finally make it happen as a group. Artist website: http://www.dalvindegrate.com
Label websites: http://www.maverick.com
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Lee Ann Womack
I Hope You Dance
NEXT Rating: NEX (Good)

Summary: Her custom-designed music is so sticky-sweet, and usually so completely lacking in substance that a better name for it would be cotton candy for the ear, if you like that sort of thing. That may sound mean, but I didn't say this was a bad album. In fact, I recommend it.
Artist site: http://www.leeannwomack.com/
Label site: http://www.mca-nashville.com/
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Jagged Edge
J.E. Heartbreak
NEXT rating: NEX 1/2 (Good)

Jagged Edge is one of the premier groups in R&B music. Currently on tour with Mary J. Blige, the group's sophomore CD, titled "J.E. Heartbreak," pays homage to R&B super-group New Edition and continues the tradition of good R&B.

Artist website: http://www.jaggededge.net/
Label websites: http://www.sosodef.net/
http://www.sonymusic.com/
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Reel Tight
Do You Wanna Ride
NEXT rating: NE

Reel Tight hails from Chattanooga, Tenn. The album blends funk, R&B, hip-hop and soul. The first single, "(Do You) Wanna Ride," is a mid-tempo track, but one of the best songs on the album is "I Want U," a funky dance track with a strong bass line. The song is easy to grove to, just like the majority of the album. Reel Tight remakes the classic Earth, Wind and Fire hit "Reasons" and gives it an updated but true-to-the-original twist. Other tracks include "Sittin In The Club," which features New Edition and BBD member Ronnie DeVoe, "Don't Wake Me" with a rap by Warren G, and the gospel-inspired tune "Thank You Lord." Their group's debut release is on G Funk/Restless Rec-ords.
Label websites: http://www.gfunk.com/
http://www.restless.com/

Matchbox 20
Mad Season
NEXT Rating: NEX (Good)

It's as if a melodic snow storm has sprinkled lyrically enchanting ice crystals on a beautiful and barren landscape - one defined by the kind of sonorous sentimentality you wouldn't expect from a rock band. Let it be said Rob Thomas knows how to turn a moody phrase, particu-larly ones that speak of broken souls.
Artist site: http://www.matchboxtwenty.com/
Label site: http://www.atlantic-records.com/
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The Judds
Reunion Live
Next rating: NEX (Good)

All the great Judds hits are here. "Girls Night Out," "Have Mercy," "Love Can Build A Bridge," "Why Not Me," "Grandpa" and "Mama He's Crazy" vividly recall the duo's glory days. And the songs from Wynonna's solo career are stronger than ever.
Artist's Site: http://www.wynonna.com/
Label Site: http://www.
mercurynashville.com/
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Kathy Mattea
The Innocent Years
Next rating: NEX 1/2

After a three-year absence from the studio, the talented West Virginia songbird has just released a new album, and I couldn't be happier about it. "The Innocent Years" has got to be one of Mattea's best. Throughout the collection, the production remains simple and abso-lutely perfect, and the songwriting is superb. http://www.
mattea.com/home.html http://www.mercurynashville.com/
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Sons of Desert
Change
Next rating: NE 1/2

While the first half of "Change" is distinctive only for its lack of distinction, the last half picks up quite nicely and accounts for at least two of the album's stars in the Next rat-ing. "Real Fine Love" is as fine an example of non-Nashville country as there is, with its tradi-tional sound values laid over a smooth, free rolling arrangement and tight lyrics, and "Blue Money" is probably my favorite cut (even though it could use stronger harmonies in the overall mix). http://www.mca-nashville.com/sonsofthedesert/base.htm http://www.mca-nashville.com
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Kelis
Kaleidoscope
NEXT Rating: NE1/2 (Average)

One video, one song or one genre can't define "Kaleidoscope." People who appreciate different types of music will be able to appreciate the creativity of "Kaleidoscope" and look for more re-leases from Kelis in the future.
Artist site: http://www.kelis.com/
Label site: http://www.virginrecords.com/
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Kid Rock
The History of Rock
NEXT rating: NE 1/2 (Average)

His rebellion-pumping "The History of Rock" gets right in your face and tells you so. He bashes critics. He gets down on his family life. He shows no respect for women. He's of-fensive in every way, shape, form and fashion. http://www.kidrock.com/
http://www.atlantic-records.com/
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Joe
My Name Is Joe
Next Rating: NEX 1/2 (Good)

With the popularity of songs such as "All The Things (Your Man Won't Do)," "Don't Wanna Be A Player," "No Guarantees" with Chico DeBarge, and "Thank God I Found You" with 98 Degrees and Mariah, how could a music listener not be curious to find out who Joe is? On his third CD, "My Name Is Joe," the R&B crooner shows a new boldness and braggadocio that command recognition that is long-overdue. Artist site: http://www.peeps.com/joe/index.html Management site: http://www.kedar.com/artists/joe/main.htm
Label site: http://www.jiverecords.com/

Various Artists
'Romeo Must Die' Motion Picture Soundtrack
Rating: NEX (Good)

The "Romeo Must Die Motion Picture Soundtrack" succeed at telling the movie's story and supplying the listener with good music. The movie's star Aaliyah contributes several tracks that create anticipation for her next solo effort. "Try Again," "Are You Feelin' Me?" "Come Back In One Piece" and "I Don't Wanna" leave the listener wondering how Aaliyah can possibly top these tracks and produce more hits for her third CD. Also featured on the CD is Joe whose "Rose In A Concrete World" stands out as one of the best tracks on the compilation. Other noteworthy tracks include "Pump the Brakes" by David Hollister," "We At It Again" by Timbaland and Magoo and "Perfect Man" by Destiny's Child. http://www.virginrecords.com/romeomustdie/home.htm http://www.virginrecords.com

Label works to preserve country legends
I've discussed the American Milestone Series before, and I'm always happy to see a new batch of the immortal reissues show up. See, what they do at the Legacy label is to comb through the past half century-plus of significant country recordings and pick those albums considered the most important to the genre. Those selections are then re-mastered and re-released.
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Information was compiled by Kimberly Ponder, Times Record News.

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