Calling an album Love And The Russian Winter was a surprisingly courageous-some would say foolish-move. Ask any would-be world conqueror: a Russian winter is the surest way to suffer crushing, final, demoralising defeat. Still, though, Mick Hucknall's confidence would not be swayed, so it's to his credit that the evocative title is justified by the songs, from uptempo pop to their trademark slushy ballads. First single "Ain't That a Lot of Love" is Simply Red's most uptempo offering since the 1995 "Fairground", boasting a house-influenced production. Meanwhile, "Your Eyes", with its richly textured arrangement, revisits familiar ground-complete with the drummer and programmer who worked on Simply Red's Stars. -Shanthi Sivanesan.

Having the vocal skills to be able to sing the phonebook doesn't necessarily mean that one should. Over the course of his last few albums, singer extraordinaire Luther Vandross has been saddled with material not nearly as magnificent as his silken, impeccably romantic voice. Luckily for fans of Luther, and for anyone who hungers for grown up polished R&B/pop, the king of the love song is back. Though nowhere near his early classics, this eponymous release is definitely his best since 1991's "Power of Love". From aching ballads to up tempo finger poppers, Luther lets the magic of his supple voice weave a spell. Even if his chart-topping days are behind him, Vandross' ability to croon is firmly in effect. Solid and satisfying. -Amy Linden.

Just Whitney is the follow-up to Whitney Houston's career reinventing comeback album, My Love Is Your Love, and it finds the former soul-pop star settling comfortably into the role of R&B elder stateswoman. As with its predecessor, the R&B big guns have been wheeled out to ensure the slickest production an artist of her standing can buy. So while instant hits are thin on the ground, the efforts of Babyface and Destiny's Child collaborator She'kspere ensure that the likes of "Tell Me No" and "One Of Those Days" roll to superior and enduring grooves, while the Missy Elliott penned and produced "Things You Say" is gorgeous down-tempo smoulder. Above all though, Just Whitney is an uncharacteristically personal album. Clearly prompted by press reports of breakdowns and alleged drug problems, strident first single "Whatchulookinat", with its defiant "the same spotlight that gave me fame's trynna dirty up Whitney's name", makes plain her feelings towards the press. Likewise, gospel-tinged duet with husband Bobby Brown, "My Love", ably quashes rumours of their marriage's demise. Unwelcome as Houston no doubt finds such trials and tribulations, the effect on her music is unquestionable. Just Whitney has more substance and soul than any album in her 120 million-selling back catalogue, assuring that in the oversubscribed world of R&B, Whitney is still very much a contender. -Dan Gennoe.

Ordered by a judge to turn over the profits from two albums to the first wife he'd left, Marvin Gaye produced this bitter, sad, bewildered masterwork. Over sprawling funk tracks, he questions her, himself, love, family, and, of course, asks, "Why do I have to pay attorney fees?" Both incomparably smooth and incontrovertibly twisted, Here, My Dear is Gaye with the mask off: even the multiple vocal overdubs can't hide his pain and his weariness. -Rickey Wright.

Friendship, love, nostalgia, and truth are the fertile lyrical ingredients that colour the melodic canvas of Vandross's 13th album. A master of R&B vocal phrasing, jazzy composition, and pop string arrangements, Vandross remains on point with standout tunes such as "Keeping My Faith in You", "Are You Using Me?" and "Religion". However, the veteran singer also explores fresh creative paths on which to deliver his rich, trademark vocals. He raises the stakes by going uncharacteristically up-tempo with the inventive "Nights in Harlem", where he recalls festive sentimental memories. The equally spirited "Get It Right" pushes the artist's established aesthetic even further by tapping into subtle but contemporary hip-hop beats and rhymes by budding female rapper Precise. -J. R. Reynolds.

Slicker Than Your Average is the second album by Craig David who took the world by storm with his boastful debut, Born to Do It. More than two years later, David has slogged through the minefields of sudden stardom and lived to sing about it, which he does with stylish aplomb. He has sacrificed some of his milk-fed innocence, but none of his braggadocio, as the title attests. His sound is harder, more anxious, and much more suitable for clubs than the soft, breezy nu-soul of his first outing. This time he's dealing with darker stuff, whether it's the press's relentless scrutiny of him or warning of the dangerous pitfalls of fame ("I'm not the man I used to be"). He's not the man he used to be, for fame seems to have shaken the scales from his eyes. This one-time wide-eyed romantic no longer pines for his perfect love, instead casting a rather jaundiced eye at the women vying for attention on "What's Your Flava. " But his newfound complexity and edge makes for a much more interesting album than his debut. It's a relief to watch Craig David trading in his clean-cut pop styling for a much more urban edge, rife with old school R&B and hip-hop style. -Jaan Uhelszki.

It's hard to believe that Full Moon is the young Brandy's fourth album. Despite her youth, the former Moesha TV star has had an admirable career. Her debut single, the hyperkinetic "I Wanna Be Down" boasted rap support from female MCs, Lyte, Yo Yo and Queen Latifah-not bad for a teenager! Since then all her subsequent singles, from "Baby" to her irreverent cover of Phil Collins' "Another Day in Paradise" have been radio-friendly A-list hits. And let's not forget her duet with Monica, the classic "The Boy is Mine". Like her previous albums, Brandy has an on-form, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins in the producer's chair and her deeper vocal power and technique are never in question. Not only does this emphasise her growing maturity, but the songs are as good as ever. The single, "What About Us" with its jerky syncopated R&B-hip-hop rhythms has smash written all over it but luckily this isn't a one-hit wonder album. The title track and "I Thought" are cut from the same elegant and funky cloth and should get even the more jaded fan jumping. Brandy updates her style very well showing off her versatility throughout. Just cock an ear to the bouncing "All of Me" and "It's Not Worth It" with their atypical two-step rhythms, the Aaliyah-like "Anybody" and the lovely ballad, "Nothing" and you will understand why Brandy has the potential to cross over into even bigger mainstream success. [+]

"Free at last / Out here on my own," Janet Jackson sings on the title track of her 1986 blockbuster, Control, an album about personal liberation, romantic longing, and, of all things, sexual responsibility. After two albums of middling dance-pop that were comfortably in the Jackson family mold, Janet dropped in on the burgeoning Minneapolis funk factory of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and came up with five top 10 hits, including the opening triad of "Control," "Nasty," and "What Have You Done for Me Lately," as well as the yearning "When I Think of You" and "Let's Wait Awhile," that rare song (considering some of Janet's hits to come) about not having sex. In its own way, Control is the most convincing declaration of artistic independence since Stevie Wonder's "Music of My Mind. " -Daniel Durchholz.

Mick Hucknall might have begun his performing as a gravel-voiced punk shouter with The Frantic Elevators in 1979, but even then the first stirrings of an accomplished cosmopolitan talent were evident. An early Elevators' song "Holding Back The Years"-a poignant reflection on his childhood separation from his mother, re-recorded with Simply Red in 1985-presented Hucknall as one of the most potent balladeers of his generation. As this collection shows, it is a talent that he has maintained throughout Simply Red's career, both as an interpreter of genre-crossing standards ("Angel", "Night Nurse", "Ain't That A Lot Of Love") and original craftsman ("Stars", "It's Only Love", "For Your Babies"). Despite the line-up changes, a seamless poise and elegance has been the Hucknall hallmark-a winning blend of tenderness and resolve. It's Only Love is an impressive assertion of his soulful credentials. -Gavin Martin.