The 10 Best Albums of the Year Cont. -- ACCORDING TO BILLBOARD (critic's choice)

6. TIE:
TV On The Radio - "Dear Science" (Interscope)
Coldplay - "Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends" (Capitol)


The mega-selling British rockers and much-praised Brooklyn buzz band landed with equal force on Billboard's critics' lists this year. TV On The Radio's latest made a whopping eight lists, while Chris Martin and co.'s "Viva La Vida..." drew praise from Executive Director of Content and Programming for Touring Ray Waddell for its "moments of transcendent, melodic beauty and subtle power."

"DEAR SCIENCE" BILLBOARD REVIEW:
Take Tunde Adebimpe's gritty, eerie vocals; add skidding industrial beats; and top with the heavy orchestrations of producer David Sitek. FULL REVIEW

"VIVA LA VIDA..." BILLBOARD REVIEW:
On their fourth album, the members of Coldplay refract their gazillion-selling pop/rock through a more nuanced lens, drafting producers Brian Eno and Markus Dravs to help them craft more diverse, experimental music. FULL REVIEW

Black Music Month - Gamble and Huff

As of May 31st, 2002, President Bush has proclaimed the month of June to be Black Music Month. Recognition of this critical part of American heritage will be highlighted all month long with various events urging citizens to revel in the many forms of music from gospel to hip-hop.

African-American musicians, singers, and composers have contributed an immense amount to our nation's history. It should be acknowledged and celebrated. Take part in this celebration and learn something new! Today, we celebrate Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff!

Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff have been writing music together for more than 30 years. They have written more than 3000 songs, including R and B #1 hits, Pop #1 hits, gold and platinum records, Grammy winners and BMI songwriter's awards. They have written music for a who's who of the Music industry, including Billy Paul, Harold Melvin and Blue Notes, Jean Carn, Jerry Butler, Lou Rawls, McFadden and Whitehead, Patti Labelle, Phyllis Hyman, Silk, Stylistics,Teddy Pendergrass, The Dells, The Jones Girls, The O'Jays and Various Gospel Choirs. Their song list is like a list of your favorites; they include Wake Up Everybody(Harold Melvin and Blue Notes),Don't Let It Go To Your Head(Jean Carn), You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine (Lou Rawls),If Only You Knew(Patti Labelle),Living All Alone(Phyllis Hyman), Hurry Up This Way Again (Stylistics), Turn Off The Lights(Teddy Pendergrass) AND MANY MORE!!These song writers have contributed and shaped a whole era of music and the music they created is still shaping the music we hear today. They are still very active in the music community and were one of the main forces driving the creation of Black Music Month.