Smoov R&B crooner — and Kanye West best-buddy — John Legend is nothing if not adventurous, and his latest album, “Evolver”, includes lite funk (”Green Light”, featuring Andre 3000), reggae (”No Other Love”, with Estelle), and a lush ballad based on a Dire Straits guitar sample. While the piano-dappled soul of “This Time” might be the sound that pays Legend’s bills, “Evolver” is a refreshing release in a world where accomplished R&B artists all-too-often take the safe route.

by Mark Emge

Child prodigy John Stephens didn’t become a Legend until Kanye West signed him for the release of 2004’s “Solo Sessions Vol. 1: Live at the Knitting Factory”, but he quickly built an impressive argument for his stage name when his first studio album, “Get Lifted”, reached the Billboard Top 5 later that year and won three Grammies. A big Barrack Obama supporter, John performed “If You’re Out There”, off his upcoming third studio album “Evolver”, live during the August Democratic National Convention in Denver.

by Marijke van Niekerk