Estelle

On "Wait a Minute," British emcee/R&B songstress Estelle coolly proclaims, "You keep coming back 'cause the girl is tight." Truer words have never been spoken. The efforts of all-star collaborators like Wyclef, Cee-Lo, Kanye and John Legend are top notch, but she doesn't need them. She is luminous and versatile enough on her own. "More Than Friends" sums up the conundrums of modern love. "Magnificent" is a reggae-flavored walk on the beach; "Come Over" is a romp in the sheets. "Back in Love" is a deep-soul groove; the title track, produced by Swizz Beatz, pulses like a tribal-banger.

For anyone who never warmed to Erykah Badu's Egyptology or still mourns Lauryn Hill's
disappearance, help has arrived. Estelle offers a gritty alternative to R&B divadom's strutting
fembots. On her American debut, this former U.K. record—store clerk boasts an all—star
cast: executive producer John Legend, Will.i.am, Swizz Beatz, Kanye West and Cee—Lo,
who duets on the Philly—soul "Pretty Please (Love Me)." But those Yanks don't dil... More >