Copasetik & Cool

by Andy KellmanCopasetik & Cool is another strong showing from Hilary Mwelwa, who remains one of the best contemporary R&B performers around right now. Anyone familiar with her voice will be pleased to hear more of the same; this means accomplished, non-showy vocals and well-rounded subject matter. As on Soul Organic, the arrangements backing her are well crafted and executed with skill -- with lush hip-hop, acoustic folk, uptown soul, and relatively gritty disco-funk all playing roles -- but they err on the side of over-politeness and occasionally lack oomph. The hourlong length can be draining as well, but when it comes down to it, Mwelwa and her partners have made a second enjoyable, multi-dimensional album.