Anthony Hamilton

With his earthy pipes and native feel for classic soul, Anthony Hamilton rarely indulges in the studio wizardry or big-money cameos that spiff up, say, T-Pain records. The only track on his third album with a de rigueur rap feature is "Cool," but David Banner's drawling verse is tucked in among a jaunty acoustic guitar refrain and spry handclaps. Elsewhere, minor-key piano plaints, warm horn lines, and funky, shuffling beats maintain the spare, organic vibe, ensuring that even when Hamilton plays the gooey-voiced smoothie ("Please Stay"), he still sounds like a country boy singing his blues.

By David Peisner