Quincy Jones returns to rerecord songs he has either written or produced with a variety of guest singers, including Amy Winehouse, Akon, Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, Ludacris, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Talib Kweli, John Legend, Tevin Campbell, Robin Thicke, LL Cool J, Usher, Tyrese, BeBe Winans, and Barry White.

The second full-length album for the California-born singer E. Nathaniel Dawkins goes for retro R&B and soul style.

The soul singer returns with his first release on indie label Plug Research after Interscope Records shelved what would have been his second album, Love for Sale, in 2006.

You Are Not Alone finds Mavis Staples teaming up with Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, who produced the album and penned several of the songs, and while Tweedy may seem an odd fit, he obviously knew what he was up to, crafting material that fits Staples' gospel-fueled vocals.

Ever since the dawn of the electric guitar, white boys have sung the blues, some with considerably more success than others. Eli “Paperboy” Reed is part of that long tradition, but he stands apart from the pack as much as he belongs to it, due in large part to his age. Raised on CD reissues of classic blues and soul -- he was not even 10 when the first Complete Stax/Volt Singles box came out -- Reed has absorbed the sound and sensibility of classic ‘60s soul but sings without any white-boy blues affectations, totally comfortable in his own skin because nobody else his age, of any race, was attempting to make this kind of music. This can cause a kind of a disconnect -- Reed sounds so white when he sings, it’s disarming -- but he pours on the passion and has fully absorbed the tight turns of Stax and loves the sound as much as the structure, so much so that Come and Get It -- his third LP and first for a major label -- feels a bit like an unearthed relic, built on songs and sounds that could pass for unheard gems if it wasn’t for Reed’s unapologetically white voice, free of affectations and ticks. Some of that may be due to producer Mike Elizondo’s work -- he manages to make this sound like a throwback without being stiff, and without having a hint of Mark Ronson’s hipster retroism for Amy Winehouse -- but he’s just articulating Reed’s gifts, letting the songs stand front and center. And that’s what’s remarkable about Come and Get It: this is not a modern-day blues album, it’s a classic soul album, with almost all the tracks clocking in at 3:30 or less, leaving very little room for showboating solos. All concentration is on the tunes themselves, with the band kicking them toward kineticism, Reed channeling all his energy into making the songs sing, and they wind up sticking, sounding a bit like forgotten classics upon first listen, then winding up as familiar favorites upon the second. If there is any fault here, it’s that Reed’s voice remains perennially boyish, sometimes preventing this from achieving a level of gravity, but there’s no attempt to hide this: it’s an honest reflection of who Reed is, a young kid from Boston in love with the Southern sounds of the ‘60s and intent on carrying them on, even if he invites ridicule or scorn. He believes it, man, and based on Come and Get It, it’s hard not to believe it too. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Subtlety not being part of Christina Aguilera’s vocabulary, she trades the retro-swing of Back to Basics for the future-pop of Bionic, receiving assists from a roster that reads like a who’s-who of progressive pop in 2010: M.I.A., Le Tigre, Peaches, and John Hill & Switch, known for their work with Santigold. But like the half-cyborg/half-diva illustration of the album cover, this revamp is only partial. Aguilera hedges her bets by adding a ballad from old friend Linda Perry, gets Tricky Stewart to produce a trio of cuts, drafts Polow da Don and Focus… to produce some heavy and slow R&B, respectively, letting enough air into the machines to reassure hesitant fans that she hasn’t abandoned her roots. All this hesitancy means that for as many risks as it takes, Bionic doesn’t feel daring. Apart from the stuttering opener of the title track and glassy chill of “Elastic Love,” notably the two Hill & Switch productions, this never delivers the future shock it promises, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, because the robot-diva hybrids are often interesting even when they stumble, as they do on “WooHoo,” its incessant title loop piercing like a dental drill. Exhibit A in Xtina’s curious tin ear for sex, “WooHoo” doesn’t work as temptation, not when the chorus come-on is “licky licky yum yum,” but her crassness is no longer alienating as it was on Stripped; it’s simply part of her persona, just like her shameless narcissism, showcased on the closing “Vanity,” where she gets her kid to confirm that she’s the greatest of them all. This triumphant self-possession comes so naturally to Christina that it’s hard not to wish that she acted so boldly throughout Bionic, letting the entirety of the record be as distinctly odd as its best moments. Frankly, the deluxe edition of Bionic does suggest what the album could have been: it’s supplemented by four bonus songs that are wildly imaginative, whether it’s the clattering, chanting “Bobblehead,” the cool synth glide of “Birds of Prey,” the perfect new wave pop of “Monday Morning,” or Sia’s mournful ballad “Stronger Than Ever.” In their place on the album proper are competent, relatively colorless club odes to fashion and fabulousness and Perry’s boring inspirational “Lift Me Up,” songs that play to Aguilera’s persona without inhabiting it. The rest of Bionic -- not just the hipster flirtations and Sia’s trio of richly ruminative AAA ballads, but the tracks directly within Aguilera’s wheelhouse, like Tricky Stewart’s wildly successful, slinky “Desnudate,” and the sultry slow burner “Sex for Breakfast” -- find Christina not playing to expectations but simply acting as a natural diva and is all the more compelling for it. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The R&B/soul singer covers songs by such British rock legends as the Beatles, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who, and the Rolling Stones.

The second full-length album for the singer born in Kansas City is a continuation of the story of Cindi Mayweather, the android introduced in the 2007 EP, "Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase."

This is the first album on Atlantic Records for the R&B singer and features Trey Songz on the first single "Yesterday."

The fourth album for the funk/soul group from New York was produced by Bosco Mann.

After being pushed back several times, the sixth album for the R&B singer is finally released, featuring guest appearances from Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, T.I., and will.i.am.

Unlike New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War, the follow-up is the opposite of the 2008 release, with songs about relationships and love and with a more analog sound.

The R&B singer returns with her first album in nearly four years featuring songs cowritten with such artists as Bryan-Michael Cox, Missy Elliott, Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris, Jazmine Sullivan, Crystal Johnson, and Stargate.

This is the debut album for the singer-songwriter who wrote songs for a variety of artists, such as Cassie, Danita Kane, Lil Mama, and Sean Kingston.

Better remembered for his vocal contributions on Mark Ronson's "Here Comes the Fuzz," as well as his mash-up for the single "Stop Me" as heard on Ronson's album, the Australian R&B vocalist will release his debut album entitled, Love & War.

After a 10-year hiatus, Sade returns with her sixth studio effort and first since 2000's "Lover's Rock."

The R&B singer's fifth studio album features Jadakiss on the remix of the single, "Ain't Leaving Without You."

The latest album for the funk singer-songwriter from California contains references to Michael Jackson.

Nneka's first US release is an inspirational mix of love, hope, optimism, and 21st-century soul music.

The second album for the British singer includes darker-themed songs influenced by the death of her husband.

The third solo album for the former member of B2K features guest appearances by Gucci Mane, Jay Rock, Marques Houston, and Tank.

The latest album for the R&B singer features guest performers Drake, T.I., and Trey Songz as well as a song from the film "Precious."

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter releases her fourth studio album.

The fourth album for the R&B singer features such guests as Estelle, The Game, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, and Snoop Dogg.

This is the fifth album for the R&B singer/actor born in South Carolina.

The latest album for the R&B singer features Jill Scott and Stevie Wonder as guest performers.

Rod Stewart's latest album features covers of Motown and soul classics.

The latest album for the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter was produced with Chris Bruce.

This is the Nashville band's latest album with singer Charles Walker.

Seven years later, Q-Tip finally sees his second album officially released. Arista Records shelved the album in 2002, which features a more jazzy feel than his debut, "Amplified."

Andrew Cohen, the Michigan-born singer-songwriter, releases his debut album.

The third album for the R&B singer features Che Gibson, Drake, Fabolous, Gucci Mane, and Soulja Boy Tell 'Em as guests.

The multi-award winning singer returns to release her first album in seven years.

The first album for the singer since 2001's "Now" is part of a planned trilogy (the next two albums to be named BlackSUMMERS'night and Blacksummers'NIGHT).

The latest album for the singer features Brandy, Bun B, Missy Elliott, and Timberland as guests.

The multi-award winning R&B singer's latest release features Akon as a guest artist.

The third album for the Atlanta, Georgia singer features guest appearances by Missy Elliot, Justin Timberlake, The-Dream, Ludacris, Chris Brown, and Young Jeezy.

The second album for the Grammy-winning singer features Ne-Yo as a guest artist.

The first solo album for Booker T in 20 years features Neil Young and the Drive-By Truckers.

The former lead singer for The Gap Band releases his second solo album, which features guest appearances by Jamie Foxx, T-Pain, and Snoop Dogg.

The follow-up to "Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship" features MC Lyte, Musiq Soulchild, Gramps Morgan, Dobet Gnahore, Terrell Carter and Sezen Aksu as guest artists.

The ex-American Idol finalist releases her debut album.

The fifth album for the R&B singer features Mary J. Blige and Damian Marley as guests.

The third solo album for the ex-Destiny's Child singer features songs attributed to her alter ego Sasha Fierce.

The third album for the Florida artist features guests such as Chris Brown, Akon, Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and T.I.

Seal sings some classic soul songs on his sixth album produced by David Foster.

The latest album for the Grammy-winning artist features Andre 3000, Brandy, Estelle and Kanye West as guests.

The third solo album for the former Destiny's Child member features Flo Rida as a guest on one track.

The debut album for the for the "American Idol" finalist features Ludacris, T-Pain, and Fantasia as guests.

The third album for the R&B singer features songs produced by Stargate, Stereotypes, and Polow da Don.

The fourth album for the R&B singer features artists such as Joss Stone, Stevie Wonder, and Jay-Z.

The sophomore album for the younger sister of Beyonce Knowles.

The latest album from the Grammy-winning R&B singer features pianists such as Dr John, Henry Butler, and Tom McDermott.

The third album for the R&B artist features a guest appearance by Lil Wayne.

The fourth album for the British singer was produced by Liam Watson.

Al Green's latest album includes guests John legend and Anthony Hamilton. It was also produced in part by Willie Mitchell and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson.

The sophomore album for the Los Angeles-based group is led by Jack Splash.

This is the third studio album for the English artist now based in Germany.

Erykah Badu's latest album was produced by 9th Wonder, Madlib, Mike "Chav" Chavarria, and Bilal.

The sophomore album already has one Grammy-nominated single, "Woman."

Alicia Keys' third album includes guest vocalists Marsha Ambrosius, John Mayer, and Linda Perry.

Boyz II Men's latest album features covers of Motown hits.

The fourth album for Stone was recorded at Marvin Gaye's original LA studio.

LaVette's latest features the Drive-By Truckers as her backing band.

The third album for the soul singer.

The soul singer's first album in four years includes production work from will.i.am and Justin Timberlake and appearances by Fergie, Nas and Natalie Cole.

Despite the title, this is the third album for the young British soul singer. Raphael Saadiq produces, with Lauryn Hill and Common guesting.

Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi produced the British soul singer's second album, which was released to great acclaim in the UK in 2006.

The Grammy-winning neo-soul singer's follow-up to 'Get Lifted' was produced by Kanye West, will.i.am and Raphael Saadiq.

The neo-soul singer-songwriter's belated third album includes a cover of Don Henley's "The Heart of the Matter."

The Leeds, England neo-soul singer makes her debut with this self-titled album, on which she also handles the instrumentation and songwriting duties.

The British musician teams with legendary New Orleans songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint for this mix of covers and new material.

One half of the electronica outfit Super_Collider, producer Jamie Lidell returns with a second solo album that finds him in an unlikely new role: that of a soul singer.

The legendary soul singer reunites with longtime producer Willie Mitchell for the second time in three years.

The singer tackles songs penned by the likes of Bob Dyland and Van Morrison on this Don Was-produced disc.

?uestlove, Angie Stone and Nile Rogers guest on the 18-year-old soul singer's sophomore effort.

The soul singer returns with a follow-up to her Grammy-nominated debut.

The soul singer's latest release marks her 25th year as a recording artist (she made her debut in 1979 as a member of the first female rap group ever, Sequence). Guests here include Missy Elliott, Floetry and Snoop Dogg.

This 26-track disc compiles (for the first time on CD) songs from the acclaimed soul singer's 1969-1973 Muscle Shoals period when she recorded for Fame Records--a period that netted her 12 consecutive Billboard R&B hits.

The Reverend returns to his roots, reuniting with the same producer (Willie Mitchell), Memphis studio (Hi Records' Royal Studios) and session musicians that made him a legend during the 1970s.

A 16-year-old white British girl singing covers of American soul classics? Odd as it may sound, that is the recipe for a hit, as evidenced by this debut album for Dover, England teenager Joss Stone, who tackles works by everyone from Aretha Franklin to, well, the White Stripes.

The neo-soul singer/songwriter/guitarist follows the unexpected mega-success of her 2001 debut 'Acoustic Soul' with this 15-track sophomore effort.

The legendary 1960s soul singer, now a young 66 years old, is still going strong with this latest release, featuring brand-new songs penned by an impressive group of songwriters, including Elvis Costello, Brian Wilson, Tom Waits, Van Morrison, and Bob Dylan. No one will be giving up on him after this release.

The fifth album (and first in three years) for the bassist/singer features 16 new tracks (including a bonus remix of "Pocketbook" by Missy Elliot and Rockwilder) in an eclectic mix of styles.