album o' the day

DJ Jazzy Jeff
"The Soul Mixtape"
(Groovin)

Hey scenester, put your copy of "Trapped In The Closet" away because here's some real R&B you may appreciate. Actually, dead that. The only other R&B album you might own is TLC's "CrazySexyCool" or Usher's "Confessions" so you probably wouldn't know good music if it had a parade in your living room while you're trying to catch up on "The O.C."

The man of ...The Fresh Prince fame has had somewhat of a career resurgence since his 1999 blends mixtape and it's been pretty much uphill for Jeff since he hasn't been riding Will Smith's tattered coattails. In addition to discovering Jill Scott, 9th Wonder, and producing some of the best underground hip-hop that doesn't come from some mushmouthed southern rapper, Jazzy Jeff has taken it upon himself to put together a compilation featuring some of the best R&B artists you've never heard.

The overall vibe is mid-to-late 70's soul from the Tappan Zee-inspired song "Build a Fire" by Michael Bohannon to the Pete Rock-produced Leela James track "No Tears," there's some serious winners here. Unlike most "mixtapes" there's actual mixing involved here and not some idiot shouting over an intro "EXCLUSIVE CUT!! FA RILLL!!! CRUNK!!!" or whatever slang terms are hep with the children these days.

It's a nice subdued album to put in your stereo on a lazy Sunday and isn't that what being a Jazzy Jeff is all about?