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Listen Up: Christopher Jackson, Jeff Beck, more

By Elysa Gardner, Steve Jones and Edna Gundersen
USA TODAY

Seeking sound advice? USA TODAY's music critics spotlight spin-worthy current albums bubbling beneath the hyped hits. Christopher Jackson, In the Name of Love

* * * ½ R&B

Broadway may not traditionally be a breeding ground for R&B stars, but on his debut album, Jackson — whose stage credits include the hit shows In the Heights and The Lion King — proves well-suited to the role. Stevie Wonder is an obvious influence on his refreshingly high-minded songs, which combine an earnest social consciousness and romantic yearning with breezily accessible melodies and grooves. But Jackson's sultry, fluid voice invites comparisons to a range of latter-day soul contenders, without aping any of them outright. — Elysa Gardner

Download: title track, Nobody Else, Be A Light

(CAT Tracks Editor's Note: The "Original Story" link below takes you to the Yellow Sound website which plays samples of the songs.)

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Christopher Jackson

Christopher Jackson who recently starred as Benny in the Tony Award Winning Musical hit, In the Heights and T.V. shows such as White Collar, Nurse Jackie, and Gossip Girl takes his career to the next level by releasing his first solo album. As a composer and songwriter, he has written for the iconic television series Sesame Street - lending his music and lyrics to blockbuster songs "I Love My Hair" and "What I Am" performed by Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas. He also has written songs for A-list artists such as LL Cool J, Ne-Yo, Mario, Sean Kingston and many others.

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