Two Musical Newcomers: Jazmine Sullivan & Leigh Jones

Copy Editor Felicia

First up is 21-year-old Philly native Jazmine Sullivan.

Ever since her single debut, "Need You Bad," burned up the airwaves early this summer, many have been waiting breathlessly for Sullivan’s CD, “Fearless.” The 12-track CD features hip-hop heavyweight Missy Elliott. (She also is featured and co-produced that first single.)

Be sure t give a listen to Leigh Jones' new album, "Music in my Soul."

If you haven't heard of Sullivan, think of the sultry sounds of Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige, but a younger version, without some of the real-life emotional baggage.

Some songs to check out include “Lions, Tigers and Bears,” “After the Hurricane,” “Fear,” and “In Love with Another Man.” Clive Davis and the folks at J-Records are confident about this new rising singer.

You can check out the latest single and bio info on their website. She's also opening for Maxwell's return concerts. (Remember him? It’s been about 7 years since we've heard from that Neo-soul phenom.) Those concerts start next month in major cities, like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.

Next up is a blue-eyed Soul/R&B/Jazz singer named Leigh Jones. The word is that this L.A. native impressed Motown Records Founder Berry Gordy so much, he came out of retirement to help out with the song, "Cold in L.A."

According to her bio on Peak Records, Gordy says, "Throughout my career I have been blessed to discover many great musical talents. I feel Leigh Jones is destined to be on of the next big stars. She's awesome!"

"Music in my Soul" debuted this month with 13 tracks. What's interesting about Jones is that she doesn't seem to fall into the studio pre-fab, female pop singers, who sometimes don't have the musical chops to back it up. Her CD is worth taking a listen to.

If you give her a chance, you may be hooked in enough to listen to the entire CD, like I was. It definitely has a mellow, jazzy feel to it. Some standout tracks: “Music,” “Free Fall” “All This Love,” “Have it Your Way,” “Sick of Fools” and “I’m Leavin’ You.”

Remember, tune into "Morning Express with Robin Meade" every Tuesday for the latest CD releases.