I was just enjoying some lovely photos from yesterday's New York premiere of I Am Legend. Let's start with Jada Pinkett Smith, who is not in the movie but who, of course, has reason to be interested in its success.

Here's Salli Richardson, who plays Zoe in I Am Legend and has also had roles on Eureka, Bones, CSI: Miami and House. … continue reading

"Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" Mary J. Blige may have six Grammy awards, as many No. 1 hits on the hip-hop charts, and recent duets with Chaka Khan and Aretha Franklin (not to mention a coveted spot on Malinda's Funk/Soul mixtape), but she's not perfect — or so she would have us believe, according to a new interview with MTV about her forthcoming album.

"We're all a work in progress," she says, and describes Growing Pains as an effort to keep moving forward after her Breakthrough. Down-to-earth and open as always, Blige is one work in progress I'm happy to witness.

My latest opportunity to see Blige came along last week, with the premiere of her video for the first Growing Pains single. In true MJB fashion, "Just Fine" has hints of the confessional, but really it's a fun, up-tempo track that gives her a chance to move — and move she does, through electronic backdrops and too many costume changes to bother counting right into a serious set of heels and a just-as-serious tie. … continue reading

"Tell Me Something Good." Well, OK! Next month, Chaka Khan will release Funk This, her first studio album in 10 years. "Tell me that you like it, yeah." Oh, I'm sure I will, because the album is being promoted as a return to Ms. Khan's earlier funk-infused days — or is that daze? The thing about Chaka Khan is that "Once You Get Started It's Hard to Stop" digging her funk and soulful flow. I mean, really, when you listen to Chaka Khan back in the Rufus era or some of her earlier solo albums, "Do You Love What You Feel"? I know I sure do.

Funk This is scheduled for a Sept. 25 release. The album is in the hands of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, producers who know how to bring both the funk and the hits. The album will consist of original songs and a few covers — done Chaka-style, of course. She offers her version of Prince's "Sign 'O' the Times," and the last time she Chaka-tized a Prince song, "I Feel for You," she earned a Grammy for her efforts. She also sings a duet with Michael McDonald (his classic "You Belong to Me"), covers Joni Mitchell's "Ladies' Man" and Jimi Hendrix's "Castles Made of Sand," and even does a little Rufus medley.

Of the original songs on the album, the one generating a buzz is “Disrespectful,” sung with Mary J. Blige. Khan's MySpace page also has the first single, "Angel." The more I hear and the more I read, the more I am anticipating the release of the album. … continue reading