Loose is the third album by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado, released by Geffen Records June 20, 2006 in North America (see 2006 in music). Timbaland and his then-protégé Danja produced the bulk of the album, which incorporates influences of dance, R&B and hip hop. The album explores the theme of female sexuality and has been described as introspective or even sad in parts. Its influence comes from some of the themes expressed in the material of artists such as Janet Jackson.
The album received criticism because of the sexual image Furtado adopted for the recording, with some feeling it was a ploy to sell more records. Further controversy rose over accusations of plagiarism on Timbalands part when recordings were leaked onto Youtube. The record was seen generally as critically and commercially successful. It reached high positions on charts across the world, and according to a November 2007 press release, it had sold more than seven million copies worldwide.
The album was heavily promoted, released in several editions and was supported by the Get Loose Tour, which is the subject of the concert DVD Loose: The Concert. Eight singles were released from the album, including the U.S. number-one singles “Promiscuous” and “Say It Right”, which received Grammy Award nominations for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, respectively. Other stand out singles include the UK number-one single “Maneater” and the successful song “All Good Things (Come to an End)”.

From Wikipedia

Riot Act is Pearl Jam’s seventh studio album, released on November 12, 2002 through Epic Records. Following a full-scale tour in support of its previous album, Binaural, released in 2000, the band took a year-long break. The band then reconvened in the beginning of 2002 and commenced work on a new album. The music on the record featured a diverse sound, including folk-based numbers and experimental tracks.
Riot Act debuted at number five on the Billboard charts. It was the band’s lowest opening on the chart since the band’s debut. The band supported the album with a politically-charged concert tour in 2003. Riot Act was the band’s last album of all-new material for Epic. The album has been certified Gold in the United States.

From Wikipedia

Lots of rare music was uncovered when these recordings were first released. Duke Ellington did a remarkable number of private recordings with small groups taken from his orchestra and the selections included on this CD reissue are some of the best. A "Combo Suite" from 1967 introduces Billy Strayhorn's "Intimacy of the Blues" along with five forgotten but worthy originals while the music on the second half of the program (some of which features organist Wild Bill Davis) dates from 1970; "All Too Soon" showcases Ellington's new tenor Harold Ashby. Excellent music.

Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Chávez Ravine: A Record By Ry Cooder is a concept album and historical album by Ry Cooder which tells the story of Chávez Ravine, a Mexican-American community demolished in the 1950s in order to build public housing. The housing was never built. Ultimately the Brooklyn Dodgers built a stadium on the site as part of their move to Los Angeles. Chávez Ravine received a Grammy nomination for “Best Contemporary Folk Album” in 2006.

From Wikipedia

Though he uses the luscious framework of traditional bossa nova–steamy rhythms, bittersweet melodies, and soft singing–Brazilian star Vinicius Cantuaria is more subversive than slavish. As on his previous stateside releases, 49-year-old Cantuaria draws upon the modern language of sampling, sound effects, and the mood of dark soundtracks to imbue his forlorn, deeply blue acoustic bossa with an otherworldly quality. A former drummer with Caetano Veloso, Cantuaria seems to enjoy slow-motion fission. His songs float and drift, suspended in space by the slightest effort of his liquid voice and gentle acoustic guitar strumming. Electric guitarists Marc Ribot and Bill Frisell add resonant shades of red and hot pink to the simmering mix, as in the beautiful, hazy version of Jobim's "Ela e Carioca." Also onboard are bassist Marc Johnson, drummers Paulo Braga and Joey Baron, pianist Brad Mehldau, and vocalist Veloso.
"Agua Rasa" is one of the album's many glimmering moments, a soft, undulating melody underlying a tale that sounds utterly familiar and intimate, even if it's in Portuguese. "Ordinaria" uses a street samba groove and the sound of clinking bottles, muted trumpet, and low bass for a kind of desolate, sun-scorched Brazilian epic poem. Cantuaria's guitar unfurls poignantly here as a trumpet cries over rolling brush strokes. It's romantic, yet somehow tragic. "Rio," with David Byrne, is street-smart and sassy, rumbling with frame drum and eerie samples. "Nova de Sete" recalls Jobim, a lovely, fragile song supported by a lonely, lost vocal and Bill Frisell's haunting guitar tones.

–Ken Micallef / Editorial Reviews - Amazon.com