Say what you will about singer/songwriter/producer Mariah Carey, but she is one of the most successful and influential musical artists of the last 15 years. (Looking at the last few years of American Idol hopefuls during try-outs is enough to confirm this.) Actually, with her sales and chart history, Carey is one of the most successful artists of all time. If The Emancipation of Mimi is any indication, her reign will continue.

Mimi is Carey’s best and most consistent album since Butterfly. Mimi is not a pop record; it’s very much a R&B/Soul record. Carey and her team of producers (Jermaine Dupri, the Neptunes, Kanye West, and James Poyser to name a few) have crafted great songs that linger with you long after their conclusion. There’s a familiarity about this album that reminds you of old school 70s (and possibly 80s) R&B/Soul music. The ballads like “We Belong Together,” “Mine Again” and “I Wish You Knew” are heartfelt, touching and beautiful. Up-tempo tracks like “Say Somethin’,” “Shake It Off” and “Get Your Number” are hypnotic, catchy and lyrically clever.

Besides the music and production, Mimi reminds listeners what drew them to Carey initially—the voice. The passion and emotion in Carey’s voice draws you in, making each and every song convincing. Mimi is an excellent showcase of Carey’s artistic growth. Carey should be commended. Mimi is gearing up to be not only one of the best selling albums of the year, but one of the best selling albums of her career as well. It’s nice to see Carey back on the top—where she belongs.

2003 marked the music world’s introduction to Lizz Wright with the release of her first album entitled Salt. Reviewers and listeners confirmed that Wright was the next big jazz vocalist of note. But is it safe to call Wright a jazz singer? Probably not. Salt had a jazzy vibe, but also showcased Wright’s soul, gospel, folk, and blues leanings. Wright, like vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Dianne Reeves, is likely to defy categorization. Salt was the perfect segway to Dreaming Wide Awake.

Dreaming is a great collection of songs, mostly guitar driven, with more of a folk and blues appeal. The sparse production of Craig Street puts Wright’s voice center stage. The listener cannot help but be mesmerized by her vocal storytelling. She gets inside of each and every song. Her vocalizing is sincere and honest, never showy or overdone. She breathes new life into such classics like Neil Young’s “Old Man” and Youngbloods’ “Get Together.” Wright also leaves you wanting more with her originals like “Trouble” and the title track.

Regardless of what genre of music Wright is singing, nothing can take away from the soul, richness, resonance, and versatility of her voice. Dreaming may not be jazz, but it’s great music—period.

I’ve been listening to a lot of music this summer. Much of it has been very good. In no particular order, here what’s been on my frequently played list for the last few months:

1. Mariah Carey The Emancipation of Mimi
2. Jill Scott Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds, Vol. II
3. Lizz Wright Dreaming Wide Awake
4. Raul Midon State of Mind
5. Faith Evans The First Lady
6. Zero 7 When It Falls
7. Esthero We R In Need of a Musical Revolution!
8. Amerie Touch
9. Tweet It’s Me Again
10. Janet Jackson Control
11. Shakira Laundry Service
12. Brian McKnight Gemini
13. Annie Lennox Bare
14. Seal Seal IV
15. John Legend Get Lifted
16. Gwen Stefani Love.Angel.Music.Baby
17. George Michael Patience
18. Sweet Back Stage (2)
19. Smokie Norful Nothing Without You
20. Brandy Afrodisiac
21. Anita Baker My Everything
22. Lizz Wright Salt
23. Floetry Floetic
24. Alicia Keys The Diary of Alicia Keys
25. Kem Kemistry

And Classics:

1. The Best of Al Jarreau
2. The Best of George Benson
3. Dinah Washington The Diva Series
4. Marvin Gaye Let’s Get It On
5. Marvin Gaye What’s Goin’ On
6. The Best of Etta James
7. Anything by Luther Vandross