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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 4, 2008

TOM JONES:
24 HOURS
(S CURVE) **½

There were two ways to louse up this album. One was to go with the studiedly retro approach, the other to go strictly modern, compressing and processing everything to death so you couldn't tell whether it's Tom Jones or Justin Timberlake.

Fortunately, "24 Hours" finds the middle path. There are enough production touches to prove it was recorded in this century but not enough to be intrusive. And the song selection stays right in Jones' comfort zone - plenty of slick but sturdy R&B and a few Nash-Vegas numbers for breathing space.

The knockout, appropriately, is "The Hitter," a Bruce Springsteen number buried on his "Devils and Dust" and resurrected here as a tour de force.

Download this: "The Hitter"

Curtis Ross

THE KNUX:
REMIND ME IN 3 DAYS ...
(INTERSCOPE) **½

With their tight jeans, passion for guitars and retro styling, few would figure brothers Krispy Kream and Rah Almillio are from the same neck of the hood in New Orleans as Lil Wayne and Juvenile. Unlike Weezy, though, they actually know how to play the guitars they tote and several other instruments.

But this isn't your typical rap-rock CD.

The Knux draw from a variety of genres such as punk, '80s pop and even heavy metal for their debut.

The mash-up of genres creates a sound that comes off like a combo of a more melodic N.E.R.D. and a punked-out

Outkast, circa "B.O.B." While the L.A. transplants are skilled producers, their lyrics lack depth and their rhymes are pedestrian.

Download this: "F!re Put it in the Air"

Joinville Michel

JAKE ONE:
WHITE VAN MUSIC
(RHYMESAYERS) ***½

If you don't know Jake One, you better get on it.

This is the first solo produced album from the freckle-faced Seattle producer, on the scene since 1992 and widely known for his G Unit projects.

For his debut effort, Jake One provided the beats for "White Van Music" while a who's who of hip hop - Little Brother, MF Doom, Busta Rhymes, Ish and more - dropped the verses. The list of notable tracks is long, including standouts "Get 'Er Done" and "I'm Coming."

The musical backdrop is soulful and gritty. Live instruments, vocals and scratches are massaged in to create this ultimate mix-tape.

Increase your musical lexicon and annoy your neighbors with this bad boy.

Download this: "The Truth," featuring Brother Ali and Freeway

Sarah Hoye

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