Bonga's Beats - Debuts and comebacks

Fantasia - "Back To Me" - Sony Music

As much as I'd been looking forward to the release of this CD, I didn't quite enjoy it when I first listened to it. I've always loved and appreciated Fantasia as a singer, but I just feel that someone needs to step up and give her better songs to sing. That being said, I've grown to accept her new album. There are a couple of nice songs and I believe that, with proper promotion, her album will sell considerably well. Songs like I'm Doing Me, Man Of The House and Falling In Love Tonight come to mind. Also included in the album is I'm Here, which she performed on the hit stage musical, The Color Purple.

Macy Gray - "The Sellout" - Universal Music Group

Anyone who thought that Macy Gray was dead and gone couldn't have been more wrong. Although this is not her strongest album (I think nothing can ever beat her Will.I.Am-produced "BIG"), it certainly does make a statement and reminds us why we fell in love with her back in 1999. Macy's gone back to her roots and made an album that she wanted to make. I doubt that this will win her new fans because she's not trying to catch up with what everyone in the industry is doing, but she is simply doing her own thing. From the first single Beauty In The World, it was clear that she was reclaiming her place in the music world. Other songs like Kissed It, Still Hurts and That Man should also make an impression.

Mango Groove - "Bang The Drum" - EMI

I have always been a Mango Groove fan since day one. I have all their albums, I know all their songs. However, when I heard that they were releasing a new album; the first since 1996 ("Eat A Mango"), I was very nervous for them. I wasn't sure if they'd have the same impact they had years ago with Special Star, Nice To See You and many other songs. My fears were laid to rest after attending their sold-out concert at Carnival City and getting a copy of their album. More than 20 years later, Mango Groove still remain relevant and everyone can relate to their music. From the anthemic Bang the Drum and Hey to the ballad My Blue Ocean, Claire Johnston's voice doesn't disappoint. The band is on point. Prepare for a workout, because there's no way you will remain seated whilst listening to this!

Charice - Gallo

This was probably one of the most anticipated releases of 2010. Oprah "discovered" her and introduced her to super producer David Foster who wasted no time and took her to the studio. Some said she could be as big as Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. Well, Charice was already singing their songs. For someone this young, Charice has a powerful, emotional voice and, fortunately for her, she also has good, custom-made songs too. And that led to an amazing international debut album (the third overall release). I struggled to understand exactly who Charice was singing to: her peers or her peers' parents. Her sound seemed to be a bit all over the place. She stood out on the Diane Warren-penned Note to God. All in all, I'm happy with Charice. With David Foster's guidance, she can't go wrong and I look forward to hearing more from her.