Arts & Entertainment

Lil' Sis Solange Knowles and funk lovin' Cody Chesnutt debut first albums
 

CDs: Jazz artist Chieli Minucci releases fifth album Night Moves
 

By Uduchi Igbowe
The Daily Cougar

This week kicks off debut albums from new and vintage artists, and offers a little bit of everything for everyone, from r&b to hip-hop, to funk and contemporary jazz. 

Solange Knowles, also known as "Beyonceis little sister" releases her first album <I>Solo Star<P>, on MusicWorld/Columbia records Tuesday. Her single, "Feeling You", featuring N.O.R.E is number three this week on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales tally. 

Like her sister, Solange started singing at the early age of two. With one foot already in the door with her father Mathew Knowles, as the brainchild behind Destinyis Child, Solange may be a successful act if she plays her cards right to establish herself as the "Solo Star" she claims to be.

For hip-hop and new funk era lovers, is Cody Chestnutis debut album, <I>The Headphone Masterpiece.<P> Cody Chesnutt takes a little 60is rock and soul, a bit of dirty south hip-hop and a hint of British new wave and puts out a unique sound that's all his own. 

Cody wrote, produced and played every instrument on his recent debut double-album, "The Headphone Masterpiece." He is also known for his work with neo-soul artists such as The Roots, Jaguar Wright, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Lenny Kravitz.

Another release, <I>LoveBox<P> comes from a band out of east London, Groove Armada. Groove Armada is a psychedelic, hip-hop blues, eclectic band. This is their third LP, the follow-up to 2001's <I>Goodbye Country, Hello Nightclub. 

<I>Lovebox<P> features guest spots from Neneh Cherry, r&b crooner Sunshine Anderson and Richie Havens. Groove Armada has come a long way since their debut album, <I>Northern Star<P> in 1997, and fans have long awaited their return.

Best known as the favored composer of every Olympic broadcast for the past decade, Grammy nominated artist, Yanni is released <I>Ultimate Yanni<P>, on Tuesday, which is a 24 track CD with remastered original recordings for die-hard Yanni fans. 

Yanni's bestseller, <I>Live at the Acropolis<P>, sold at record levels all over the world, and his concerts drew thousands in places ranging from China to Europe to South Africa. 

Chieli Minucci, contemporary jazz artist released his fifth album, <I>Night Grooves<P> on Tuesday. Minucci is not only know for his works, he is best known for producing and writing for artist such as Roberta Flack, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Chaka Khan. 

Having emerged from his former 80is group, Special EFX, Chieli Minucci has established himself as one of the best-known smooth jazz artists today.
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