MARY J. BLIGE
The Breakthrough
(Geffen/Universal)

With all her dramatic ups and downs detailed in her songs, the queen of hip-hop soul makes it fun to follow her career. But does Blige’s present state of seeming bliss take the edge off? Not really. Even as she lauds her man (“No One Will Do,” “Be Without You”), her contentment is a battle that has to be won every day. And, like her deep-voiced soul progenitor Aretha Franklin, Blige’s career is now long enough for self-confidence (“Take Me As I Am”) and nostalgia (“MJB Da MBP”). Assisted by establishment rappers like Jay-Z, Brook and Raphael Saadiq, this is an example of what the corporate R&B machine can do when all cylinders are firing in sync. DG

THE KOOKS
Inside In/Inside Out
(Virgin/Toshiba-EMI)

The latest unwashed UK rock group, The Kooks began life as a Strokes cover band. Luke Pritchard’s voice resembles Julian Casablanca’s, but aside from that the Brighton quartet have outgrown their origins. They owe less to the current rage for ’80s post-punk than to classic ’70s rock a la Kinks. Muscular acoustic guitars and catchy choruses permeate a debut album that explodes with teenage energy. The current hit is “You Don’t Love Me,” but any other track would be equally chart-worthy; with tracks like “Jackie Big Tits,” the Kooks also hit the mark by not taking themselves too seriously. Catch them at Harajuku Astro Hall on Feb 27. DG

STEVE GARDNER
Big Delta Crossing
(Blues Cat)

Tokyo resident Steve Gardner is a Mississippi native who absorbed the blues during “those great times when Daddy would play rhythm on four kitchen knives while Uncle Amos played the guitar and sang.” So it’s no wonder Gardner brings authenticity to his second album. Uncle Amos even makes an appearance in the radio-style intro to Gardner’s cover of Hank Williams’ “Hey Good Lookin’.” Gardner is steeped not in the electric blues of Chicago, but in the acoustic blues of Delta icons like Leadbelly and Robert Johnson. With a coterie of Japanese specialists on blues instruments, Gardner pens gentle tunes that will have you tapping your foot on your proverbial front porch. DG

AI OTSUKA
Love Cook
(Avex)

The new Ayumi Hamasaki? Ai Otsuka’s chart success might support the theory, but neither her music nor her style has the saccharine quality or diva-like image of her label-mate. This girl-next-door is your classmate, your best friend; she’s there for karaoke or a beach party, or occasionally to remind us how vital love is. Her compositions are harmless and unassuming, but charming. Love Cook is nothing more than the third chapter of Otsuka’s story, encompassing infuriatingly happy J-Pop (“Smily”), ska (“Tokyo Midnight”), kookiness (“Cooking 3-Minute Ramen”) and weepies (“Cherish”). Everything any self-respecting foreigner will love to hate. Robert Poole


Would you like to comment on this article? Send a letter to the editor at letters@metropolis.co.jp .