Seriously, I'm always a little nervous when an artist attempts to give you multiple genres on a single CD. It's a risky venture that frequently ends in mediocrity or disaster or both. However, when it works, something truly special happens. That's exactly what this British singer achieves on My Favourite Letters, her second solo release.

Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! I'm so glad I was alone when I finally heard the debut CD from this funky UK trio. I don't like many to witness me screaming like a schoolgirl, though that's exactly what happened. 

This CD hit my musical spot and has rocketed up my list of favorite releases. It's unfortunate they haven't generated a larger following because they're great! They're great! They're great! (And since you have great musical taste, I can count you as a new fan, right?) Okay, let me take a break, put my poms poms down and try to be intelligent for a second.

Unklejam, whose name is taken from Funkadelic's 1979 album Uncle Jam Wants You, describe their sound as a mix of 80s pop, R&B, funk and soul with influences ranging from P-Funk to Prince to Sly & the Family Stone. When you add their playful spirit to the mix.... oh, f*ck it... IT'S "G"!.... IT'S "R".... IT'S "E-A-T"! IT'S GREAT! IT'S GREAT! IT'S GRRRRREAT!! YAYYY FANTASTIC MUSIC!

Now watch the video while I roll out of this split and go to the emergency room.

After studying music at the University of Miami, Midón spent a few years as a backup singer for many of Latin music's contemporary elite including Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Julio Iglesias, Alejandro Sanz and José Feliciano. He then moved to New York City to pursue a solo career, where he met and worked with jazz legend Herbie Hancock.

A World Within a World is Midón's third release and is a step forward in his songwriting skills. Even the most commercial track on the CD, "All Because of You," stands apart from current R&B fare. This man continues to get better and better. He is an artist with an expansive musical repertoire and he shows it each time he steps to the mic...English or Spanish, acoustic/acapella or with a band, R&B to jazz to flamenco to rock. You'll get it all. It's a rare musical gift that's meant to be savored.

If you like this artist, check out other recommendations at: MeLikeGoodMusic

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Asa (pronounced "Ah-sha" and meaning "hawk" in Yoruba) is a Nigerian singer/songwriter of exceptional talent. She sings about exactly what you'd expect...societal injustice, love, life experience, hope. But don't worry, you'll never be bored. The combination of her poetic lyrics, superior musical production infusing neo-soul, reggae, worldbeat and acoustic folk and her vocal ability to express outrage and vulnerability with equal credibility, makes this a CD you'll return to for many years to come.

While living in Lagos with her parents and three brothers, Asa discovered her love for singing at an early age and spent many hours feasting on her father's collection of great musical artists like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Sunny Ade and Bob Marley. During her teen years, her palate shifted to American neo-soul artists like Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Raphael Saadiq and Lauryn Hill as well as popular African artists like Femi Kuti and Angelique Kidjo. You can hear many of these influences in her music.

I don't want to do a disservice to this CD by overhyping it as the second coming of musical perfection. But I will say, from beginning to end, this is as good as good gets. And if her track "Subway" doesn't touch a tender spot in your heart, turn left at the corner and follow the yellow-brick road. There' s a wizard waiting to see you.