Christina Aguilera's 'Lotus' good, not great

Christina Aguilera, "Lotus" ** 1/2

Christina Aguilera is easily one of contemporary music's best voices. She's got pipes that music-lovers need to hear at a time when Top 40 radio features studio-enhanced vocals and award shows are full of lip syncing. That's why her fifth album, "Lotus," is somewhat disappointing -- not because it isn't good, but because it isn't great.

Sure, it's an improvement from 2010's "Bionic," a chaotic album that is Aguilera's only one not to reach platinum status. "Lotus" is more focused, thankfully, but not as satisfying as her first three releases.

The new 13-track album is the singer's first music offering since she filed for divorce two years ago. And when she's emotional, she sounds best.

It's almost like Aguilera isn't getting the best material from the songwriters and producers on "Lotus," which includes Alex da Kid (Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie," B. o. B's "Airplanes"), Lucas Secon, Supa Dups, Claude Kelly, Bonnie McKee, Tracklacers, Steve Robson and others. Her excellent voice deserves excellent songs.

-- Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press

Daley, "Alone Together EP" ***

There's something magnificent about Daley's sweet tone -- he coos on songs lightly, but it's also demanding and emotional. That swag was all over his 2011 mixtape, "Those Who Wait," which was top-notch from its opener to its closing number.

The English singer borrows three songs from that album for his six-song EP and major label offering, "Alone Together." It's short, sweet and satisfying.

The song that is propelling him to R&B fame, "Alone Together," is soft and breezy. It features fellow English R&B singer Marsha Ambrosius, and their tones blend nicely on the track; sometimes you'll forget who's who. He keeps up with the English-R&B theme by covering Amy Winehouse's "Love Is a Losing Game" and collaborating with Jessie J over a hip-hop beat on "Remember Me."

"Blame the World," with its strings, is a winner, as is the f! eel-good "Game Over." The 23-year-old singer-songwriter -- who has collaborated with the Gorillaz and received two nominations at this year's Soul Train Awards -- closes with "Those Who Wait," a song about breaking through with lyrics like: "I'm waiting because I know I'm going to be next in line to claim my prize and be all that I want to be." You got that right.

-- Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press

Beres Hammond, "One Love, One Life" ***

Legendary crooner Beres Hammond, one of the most recognizable voices in all of Jamaica, is back with "One Love, One Life," a 20-track double album with steady grooves and some bona fide classics.

Self-produced and recorded in his Kingston studio, Hammond has organized a record that splits into matters of the heart ("One Love") and social consciousness ("One Life.")

"No Candle Light" is instantly amazing, Hammond is ever the gentleman on the tender midtempo groove "In My Arms" and the romantic ballad "Lonely Fellow" is sincere.

The second album is calm and refreshing, full of songs that will uplift. One bright spot is the title track, where Hammond makes it clear that he isn't "singing for fame."

The 57-year-old came on the music scene in 1970s and he has a voice that doesn't seem to age. He adds another jewel in his crown with his new album.

-- Bianca Roach, Associated Press