While singer Corinne Bailey Rae is currently the "It" girl in pop music (and justifiable so), there's another songbird with a lot of soul and chutzpah that is totally getting slept on by the critics. Her name is Joy Denalane and she has an amazing voice -- it's big, loud and powerful. The Afro-German songbird's song "Change" (featuring Lupe Fiasco), which flips Young Jeezy's "Go Crazy" horn-filled instrumental (which is from another sample) is pure hotness! Her just-released album Born & Raised is a global multi-cultural soul music project. (What you know about that?) The collection features guest appearances from Lupe Fiasco, Raekwon and R&B newcomer Governor. Click HERE to listen to some joints. Hot ish!

Meanwhile, this leaked Janet Jackson song called "Enjoy" is off the chain! I love this track, which was blessed by production duo the Availa Brothers. I'm a big fan of the Availa Brothers and they are also on some multicultural soul shit, as well. Check out their album called The Mood -- Soundsational. The collection boasts an array of musical styles like salsa, meringue, jazz, hip-hop mixed with soul music. You need to get up on this, NOW!

On the flipside, R&B newcomer Cassie is catching mad shit for her not-so-stellar debut performance on BET's 106 & Park. And after viewing her sorry-ass performance, I would have to say that her whole image, style and vocal abilities are . . . straight bullshit. Ya heard me? Oh well, charge it to the game.

However, Cassie's new single "Long Way 2 Go" is the pure hotness. This is a certified club banger! If Cassie fucks this song up, it's a wrap for her. She better get her stuff together. Hey Diddy, help her out! Send Cassie to the school of Betty Wright for some vocal training, immediately!

And finally, Detroit native and soul brother No. 5 Amp Fiddler just released his new album Afro Strut. The collection is a follow-up to his wonderful 2004 debut effort, Waltz of a Ghetto Fly.

Soul Music . . . Soul Power

Holla!