Run, don’t walk, to your local record store and pick up a copy of Common’s Finding Forever (released today). This is THE album of the year so far so make sure to read my review and don’t miss out on this masterpiece. Keith Murray is dropping his latest effort today as well and we have a string of debut albums from Sean Kingston, Kia Shine, and former American Idol contestant Mandisa all being released today. We were supposed to get the new Mario album today, but apparently it has been delayed until October!! What’s up with all the album delays lately? Anyway, the only ones being released today that I’ve listened to so far are the Common and Sean Kingston CDs. If anyone else has heard any of the others, write back and let me know how they are.

Common: Finding Forever

Finding Forever is the seventh album by Common, released on G.O.O.D. Music/Geffen Records. Like Common’s previous album, Be (2005), Finding Forever is primarily produced by Kanye West.

Common explains that “Finding Forever really means to find a place in music where you can exist forever. Music can be forever if you make it from the heart, if you make it from the soul and it’s good. And I look at music like Bob Marley’s or Marvin Gaye’s or Stevie Wonder’s or A Tribe Called Quest’s, that’s forever music. And I’m continuing on the quest to make forever music.”

This is by far the best album of 2007. I highly recommend Finding Forever!! If anyone has the UK bonus track, “Play Your Cards Right”, let me know.

1. Intro
2. Start The Show
3. The People
4. Drivin’ Me Wild
5. I Want You
6. Southside
7. The Game
8. Black Maybe
9. So Far To Go
10. Break My Heart
11. Misunderstood
12. Forever Begins
13. Play Your Cards Right (UK Bonus Track)

Sean Kingston: Sean Kingston

Hot off his radio-friendly single “Beautiful Girls”, Sean Kingston — a 17 year old native of Jamaica – is not just a new face in popular music, he’s accomplished the rare task of creating a new genre where rap, reggae, dancehall, pop, a touch of doo-wop and remarkable songwriting all combined into something totally fresh. Add in Sean’s family roots which cite reggae king Buju Banton as his uncle and Jamaican legendary producer Jack Ruby as his grandfather and you have one of the most exciting debuts this year. When I first heard “Beautiful Girls” I hated the song, but now I can’t get it out of my head because they play it everywhere I go! Don’t get me wrong, I still hate the song. The next single off this album is scheduled to be “Me Love”.

1. Intro
2. Kingston
3. Take You There
4. Me Love
5. Beautiful Girls
6. Dry Your Eyes
7. Got No Shorty
8. There’s Nothin’
9. I Can Feel It
10. Drummer Boy
11. Your Sister
12. That Ain’t Right
13. Change
14. Colors 2007 (Reggae Remix)

Mandisa: True Beauty

Watched over by 30 million viewers weekly, Mandisa catapulted into instant fame with her winning smile and powerhouse vocals as she sang her way into the final rounds of American Idol Season 5. The critics agreed: “Entertainment Weekly” chimed in with praise (”its all about Madisa!”), claming Masisa turned American Idol into a one woman show.

Although Mandisa stated that this album would be a mixture of gospel and R&B, the iTunes Store has billed it as a mainstream R&B release while billing “Only the World” (the lead single) as a gospel song.

1. Only The World
2. True Beauty
3. God Speaking
4. Voice Of A Savior
5. Love Somebody
6. Unrestrained
7. Shackles (Praise You)
8. Steal My Joy
9. Oh My Lord
10. Only You
11. He Will Come
12. True Beauty (Remix) (iTunes Bonus Track)

Kia Shine: Due Season

This is the debut album from Memphis rapper, Kia Shine. His first single, “Krispy”, is currently being played everywhere. I personally love the song. It has a real infectious, minimalistic beat. A remix to the song was recently released featuring E-40, Jim Jones, Swizz Beatz, LL Cool J, Remy Ma, Young Buck, Fabolous and Slim Thug. I haven’t heard it yet, but I’m sure it’s hot! For some reason, there’s not much info out there on the Internet about this release. Either someone’s not doing their promotional work or this CD really isn’t out today. According to Amazon, it is though. If the rest of the CD is as good as “Krispy”, this may just be one hot album.

1. Pre Season
2. Krispy
3. W.O.W.
4. I Be Everywhere (feat Jim Jones)
5. Swag Music
6. Respect My Fresh
7. Bluff City Classic (feat 8Ball & MJG)
8. Stunna Friends
9. Face Card
10. Touch
11. Tech Game
12. She Serious
13. Holla At Ya Kin Folk
14. Aiight
15. Due Season

Keith Murray: Rap-Murr-Phobia

Rap-Murr-Phobia is the 5th studio album from Keith Murray. It features production by Erick Sermon, Omen, Mike City from LA and Redman. As for guest appearances, Erick Sermon, Redman, Method Man, Tyrese, Jamal (Illegal), 50 Grand (L.O.D.), Kell Vicious (L.O.D.) all appear on the CD.

There has been conflicting information about this release online. Amazon and Wikipedia both have different tracklistings. Wikipedia lists more songs, but Amazon’s listing is just plain weird so I won’t bother listing the tracks here.

The first single is “Nobody Do It Better” featuring Tyrese and produced by Erick Sermon. This is a hot song!

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