The sultry princess in R&B's royal Cole clan has long since made her own name. That's a good thing, especially if it allows her to take risks in the studio. Cole's covers LP settles it: who but a confident chanteuse could turn Fiona Apple's "Criminal" into a brassy R&B jam?

Filed in: R&B

Each Hank Williams has been remarkable in his own way. Senior was a dashing hero of the highway, Junior a self-styled crotchety hick. III does granddad's vintage twang, but re-imagines it for modern America. The result is a blistering country-punk that no one else even dares to try.

Filed in: Honky Tonk

From conscious piano jazz to lightheaded trip-hop, this dependable trio has been delivering the goods since the early '90s. Their intuitive ability to stretch musical boundaries has led to wonderful collaborations with notable players from John Scofield (guitar) to DJ Logic (turntables).

Filed in: Jazz-Funk

What a difference an extra beat makes. When his "Take Five" upped the 4/4 ante by one, Californian Dave Brubeck forced even jazz's so-called avant-garde to reevaluate. The piano whiz remains a terrific listen decades on; the sheer approachability of his twisty tracks may be their finest quality.

Filed in: West Coast Jazz

The 'z' in Outlawz comes from the same alphabet as Tupac's "All Eyez on Me"--and that's a good spot to get your letters. The Atlanta vets--early Shakur faves--prove they remain relevant with "We Want In," a mash of popping kit percussion and scowling lyrics.

Filed in: Dirty South