PLAYLIST PICKS

February hasn't just been a Superbowl month for All-Stars and Oscars. Some Grammy favourites have also given us some gold. Lets look at the top albums of the month.

BOB DYLAN-SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT: Old Blue Eyes I tell you, the 36th album from the 73 year old just may be one of the American singer/songwriters best. As this time Dylan delves into Sinatra's songbook for some signature styling's from the chairman of the board. To be Frank, Dylan haunts us his way with 'Shadows In The Night', echoing the reflection of his dark, Shakespearian depths on his last 'Tempest' release. Here with some sweet songs, numbered to the days and dates of decades gone, the gruff voice of Bob shows real beauty in the footsteps of Frank. The voice of a man that once proclaimed "I cant sing" (to a kind of a, "well duh!" response) hasn't sounded this grand and great in years. Highlights of this ten track, half hour include, 'The Night We Called It A Day", "Autumn Leaves' and 'Full Moon, Empty Arms", let alone the whole beautiful biopic of an album. Now we just want to hear all 23 Sinatra songs that were recorded in Los Angeles legendary Capitol Records building. How about another night of shadows? 5/5.

DRAKE-IF YOU'RE READING THIS IT'S TOO LATE: Surprise...well not really. A week and change after Drake released his latest offering out of nowhere to Spotify records and incredible iTunes sales, we're the ones that are too late. But if you're reading this, know we love Drake like the part owner of the Toronto Raptors loves his Canadian city...and boy do we do too. The T-Dot's exclamation like a Kyle Lowrey play, Point Guard Quarterbacks the perfect way to buzz bring out a new record in this hype man driven, hip-hop and music as a whole mainstream world. Octobers very own makes February his home and man is it great too. Even if from the legacy making 'Legend' intro to the hallmark '6AM In New York' closer, this grumpy Graham is coarsely trying to convince us he's not the upset makings of the "emo" tagline given to him by critics, but instead a passionate rapper. Brooding over beats a'booming, the follow up to the deep 'Take Care' and dark 'Nothing Was The' same is another chorus barring real rappers delight. The only debate for the critically controversial Canadian now is if this is a mixtape or album? Still if his next release is anything like these 'Jungle', 'Wednesday Night' or 'Madonna' highlights, then this vogue rappers 'Views From The 6' will be greater than those from the CN Tower. 3.5/5.

NE-YO-NON-FICTION: Fact...even after more than 15 years since 'The Matrix', when it comes to R&B music, Ne-Yo is still the one. Non-Fiction....maybe Shania Twain should call him up, because the man whose written for everyone from Mary J. Blige to Marylin Manson proves it with his vivid versatility. Fact...the fact that he's now signed up with the Marvin and Stevie legendary Motown Records is no coincidence. Catching him outside the White House in Washington. D.C. just rehearsing for the Presidents Christmas party just proves this. Non-Fiction...the new album and the follow up to the real 'RED' proves it. Fact...this album is so sick...pun intended! Non-Fiction...just like 'Libra Scale' follows an updated M.J. like storybook theme from the greatest like Mike since Ginuwine and Usher. Fact...especially if you pick up the deluxe edition and its 'Everybody Loves', 'Why' and 'Ballerina' standouts. Non Fiction...but then there's always the likes of 'Run', 'Integrity', the T I. assisted 'One More' and the Jeezy amplified 'Money Can't Buy'. Fact...after classics like 'In My Own Words', 'Because Of You' and 'Year Of The Gentleman' Ne-Yo is back! Non-Fiction is just that truth telling in proving this. FACT! 3.5/5. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

REVIEW: TANK-IF YOU WERE MINE E.P.

4/5

King Of Hearts.

Lights down low, Tank sets the mood right this February 14th with a new extended play. The R&B general and the genres most genuine talent has been on a roll for a good half decade now as rhythm and blues breadwinner. After the Grammy nominated success of the force of natures, sophomore soaring 'Sex, Love & Pain', acclaimed, absolutely amazing albums like 'Now Or Never' and 'This Is How I Feel' kept his music muscle game in the studio weight room. Then, not two years ago he aligned with a perfect pair of performers in movie star Tyrese and legend Ginuwine for the massive, TGT supergroup album 'Three Kings'. Keeping him crowned on the throne like LeBron James in South Beach. If that wasn't more than epically enough, last year he came back with 'Stronger'. Arguably his strongest and best album to date. Featuring soul heavy hitters like the Motown inspired 'You're My Star' and the everything else inspiring 'Hope That Makes You Love Me'. Following this music master class of 2014 that should have made the Grammy academy, Tank is not resting this year. Not even one week gone after the awards show that should have came with an invite. Even in the face of general discourtesy Tank shows grand generosity with a gift of a 6 track free download to his fans and followers for Valentine's Day. The soundtrack of the weekend 'If You Were Mine'. Now you got to love this...

Forget 'Fifty Shades Of Grey'. This weekend, these six shades of soul are all you need. From the original title track beginning, Tank lays it all down in all his heart and soul on the cuffs of his rolled up sleeves. Singing "I'd love you 'till the time was forced to slow down/I'd make understand love the right way/I'd give you all of me to make you so proud/I'm begging for a shine, that is all I can say", its clear the man who has recently become a father is very much in love. With this ivory strong set, reminiscent of the 'Thanking You' devotion of his last album, Tank plays piano perfectly. Like he did for TGT, or highlights of his career getting his John Legend on. He even covers the 'Ordinary People' singers new most, famous for classic track, in the wedding first dance devoted 'All Of Me' beautifully. All of everybody is going to love all of this version. The rest of this piano pure play also covers some of music's best and most popular from the man who made 'I Can't Make You Love Me' his classic own. Rhythmic soul men Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke get respect paid too them from the master and general commander as he reworks 'End Of Time' and 'Lost Without You' to a tee. Then Babbs swings big, aiming for a mainstream homerun, covering some of pops best and biggest hits, giving them the soul of a smooth reinvention their chords are crying for. First up is Adele's timeless hit for this generation, 'Someone Like You'. Then a terrific take on man of the moment Sam Smith's 'Stay With Me'. Perhaps a tongue in cheek reference response to those saying Smith sounds like him and the fact that the British singer scooped four Grammy awards. Still even though Tank should have had his place at STAPLES like Kobe last week, this weekend and every lover listening knows it belongs to him with this arrow to the heart of red rose, real soul. TIM DAVID HARVEY.