Since the 1995 release of Joan Osborne’s major label debut, Relish, her fans have been waiting patiently for her newest contribution, Righteous Love. Partially inspired by the sacred Qawwali singing of India, and pieced together by producer Mitchell Froom, the album captures Osborne’s original bluesy mix of soul and sound with a native touch. Most tracks however, lack what Relish was so good at — taking chances.

When she lets loose with her combination of growling, back-country blues and urban sophistication, she sings from way down deep and you can feel it in your toes. Unfortunately, she doesn’t do this often enough.

The album does, nonetheless, have its strengths. Righteous Love conveys a rainbow of emotions, from the pure joy of being in love to the misery of being without it.

This album’s title track, "Righteous Love," is lyrically remarkable. It opens a chapter in Osborne’s life we haven’t read before.

The Middle Eastern touches on "If I Was Your Man," add a very distinct sound with a gender-bender twist.

"Running Out of Time," suffers only because it leaves you in great puzzlement, but when Osborne lets loose in "Hurricane," and "Poisoned Apples," the albums blues return and leave you wanting more.

Over the years Joan Osborne has developed her own style of blues with sexually and spiritually themed lyrics. Although this album is rich in context, it lacks what most blues enthusiast audiences yearn for. (Interscope Records)

Madonna is the pop figure of the ’80s, a cultural phenomenon, a trendsetter, and a musical goddess. She has offered everything from the guilty pleasures of "Like a Virgin" (1985) to the erotica sounds of "Like a Prayer" (1989) and in the process has become the most consistently controversial musician of all time. Along with her mega-catalog of platinum hits, Madonna has strutted confidently into the new century.

Her newest release, Music, has placed her somewhere within the funky techno-tronics of the space age. Each of the ten new originals offers something different and reflects upon the seamlessly interchangeable aspects of Madonna.

The title track and recent hit single "Music," has already found itself in clubs, on the airwaves, and blaring from car radios. As the song suggests, music makes the people come together.

"I Deserve It" is warm and reflective, but not the savvy Madonna we’re used to. Although different, this acoustic-guitared beauty shows Madonna looking back over her life with no regrets.

"Amazing" is a stand out track. This rock tinged, rumbling, pure pop, soon to be hit track has a soar-away chorus with a mature, adult balladry twist. Madonna finds herself head over heels and reaches deep down to express the yearning within her heart.

"What It Feels Like For A Girl" is tender and sensitive, and brings back the naked voice that was covered with the vocoder production of the previous songs on this album. Still flirtatious and sexy, it arrays an oddly vulnerable feeling, which opens up to the female perspective.

Although Madonna’s status as a continuing musical force may be in question, this album will grow on you. The stunning advances in style and substance are due to French producer and remixer Mirwais Ahmadzai. Studio experimentation has marked the evolution of Music, Madonna’s fourteenth album to date.