New Music : December 22 - 28

Eminem "Relapse: Refill"
Lil Wayne's "Rebirth" has been delayed ... again ... but that doesn't stop Weezy from popping up on Eminem's new title swapping rhymes with Drake, Kanye West, and Eminem on the hit four-way "Forever," one of seven cuts amended to the expanded edition of Shady's chart-topping full-length from earlier this year. With "Relapse 2" on hold until 2010, this stop-gap should satisfy dedicated fans with additions including "Taking My Ball" (as featured on the new DJ Hero game) and "Hell Breaks Loose" featuring Dr. Dre.

Mary J. Blige "Stronger With Each Tear"
With the movie "Precious" popping up on many film critics' year end best-of lists, the timing seems ideal for a new album from Mary J. Blige, who contributed the churchy "I Can See in Color" (co-written with Raphael Saadiq) to its soundtrack. The ninth studio record from the queen of hip-hop soul features many collaborators from her 2007 hit "Growing Pains," including Tricky Stewart, The-Dream, Stargate, Ne-Yo, Johnta Austin, and Sean Garrett. Lending some additional vocals and lyrics are T.I., Trey Songz, Jazmine Sullivan, Darkchild, and Polow Da Don. Aside from "Color," the fourteen tunes include the defiantly self-assured "I Am," and the recent club banger "The One," with featured guest Drake..

Mudvayne "Self Titled"
A follow up to "The New Game" that is produced by Jeremy Parker (Slipknot, Evanescence). The album art and text is printed in ink that reacts under black light. Singer Chad Gray has said that the eleven new songs -- including "Beautiful & Strange" -- are "more retro" sounding than their more recent offerings, while drummer Matt McDonough claims "that this album is the best that the band has recorded since our second album, 'The End of All Things to Come'."

Original Motion Picture Soundtrack "9"
Kate Hudson rocks!! Playing fashion journalist Stephanie Necrophuros in the motion picture "Nine," the actress rips into "Cinema Italiano" with jazzy gusto. Based on the hit Broadway musical (which was inspired by Fellini's autobiographical masterpiece "8½"), the film also stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, and Sophia Loren -- all of whom are featured on the soundtrack. Admittedly, Loren's turn on "Guarda La Luna" is pitched somewhere between spoken word and Julie London at her laziest. Fergie, who portrays the prostitute Saraghina, slathers on the cheese for her campy number "Be Italian."

Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)

* Hurricane Chris: "Unleashed"
* James Brown: "The Singles, Volume Eight: 1972-1973" [Remastered]
* Rupert Gregson-Williams: "The Prisoner" [TV Soundtrack] (More on the show)
* Duke Ellington and Count Basie: "Souvenirs" [Remastered]