As a winner on American Idol and with eight Grammy nominations racked up, Fantasia has certainly tasted some success in her 26 years.  However, Fanatasia Barrino has been more recently shown for her troubbles, whether it is with love, finance or even her recent suicide attempt there can be no doubts that her third album comes, not so much on the crest of a wave, but from a storm of troubles. While her first single, the emotive 'Bittersweet,' has been racking up airplay those who suggest that Fantsia's recent difficulties are part of a media plan to boost record sales are surely wide of the mark.  In fact, while such assertions are plain insulting, Fantasia doesn't need such ploys as the music on 'Back To Me' speaks for itself.  While Cee-Lo Green is the sole guest (on the superb 'The Thrill Is Gone'), Fantasia has plenty of powerful backers with producing and song-writing credits going to names like Ne-Yo, Claude Kelly, Chuck Harmony Rico Love, Jim Jonsin, KP & Malay. Opening with 'Doin Me,' Fantasia shows she has lost none of the singing ability that saw her break into the public domain while tracks like 'Man Of The House' show strength.  'Who's Been Lovin You' is a fine slice of classic R&B and 'Collard Green and Cornbread' brings an almost vintage soul feel to bear.  'Teach Me' brings a slight slowing of the pace but this is soon brought back up to par with 'Move On Me' and the chirpy, feel-good, 'Trust Him.'  Fantasia brings a radio-ready feel on 'Falling In Love Tonight' before the soaring 'Even Angels.'  The whole set is rounded off with the bonus track 'I'm Here' from her acting role in Broadway's 'The Color Purple.'   While this album may not directly address Fantasia's current personal problems as some may have hoped she has delivered a strong album that will most certainly please her existing fans while winning a few more over to her sound.  They say that even bad news is good for publicity in the music industry but here's hoping that, by the time Fantasia is ready to release her fourth album, she can reflect on some more good times too...

Fantasia - Back To Me

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Citing one of Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony's most successful tracks for the title of his new album is a bold step for Bizzy Bone as he once again steps out from the shadow of his often troubled crew to bring some more solo work.  With guest spots being few and far between, listeners get a good opportunity to get closer to a man who has a great deal of potential topics to address, from drink and drug problems, to being shot, money troubles and childhood demons.  Delivering a strong West Coast feel across the 13 tracks, the album opens up with the pitch-bending 'The Soul' before Bizzy slows matters down for 'Bottled Up Like Smoke.' Bringing a maniac sing-song flow to the grandiose production on tracks like 'Nintendo' shows how Bizzy has adapted to the times while 'Cowby' comes off as a shot at crossover success. Throughout this album, the test will be handling Bizzy's unique flow without his Bone-Thugs partners present to break it up a little while his frequent delving into rock tinted backing tracks ('Automatic Rewind') may leave some feeling cold. While there is quality to be heard on this release, such as on 'American Soldier,' this album has the feel of a required taste about it.  Bizzy often comes across with an Eminem hybrid flow which offers a love it or hate it appeal.  That is not to say that Bizzy hasn't got some real skills of his own, as shown on the story rhyme of 'So Cool.'  However, Bizzy does fall off from time to time - such as on the schmaltzy middle America rock balladeering of 'Last Call: Fallen.'  Some will no doubt feel this album can reach classic proportions with it's hybrid style and Bizzy's, at-times, personal reportage, but there is just as much chance that this will come across as too earnest a stab at middle American mass-appeal.  Crossroads 2010?  Perhaps not as Bizzy seems to have taken the long route home.

Bizzy Bone - Crossroads 2010