Ledisi
's portrayal of
Mahalia Jackson
in
Ava DuVernay
's Selma was widely acclaimed, though that didn't prevent the Recording Academy from prioritizing ratings when they selected
Beyonce
to perform in her place at the 57th Grammy Awards in 2015.
graciously received her ninth Grammy nomination and continues to roll with
Let Love Rule
, an album rich with her characteristically positive and proud outlook and superhuman vocal skill. It's something of a milestone for
and long-term collaborator
Rex Rideout
, who have been recording together since 2007. The four songs they co-wrote are top of the line, showing they've only gained steam since then. The sweetly lingering "Here" and powerhouse ballad "All the Way" resemble covers of missing cuts off
Street Player
and
Whitney Houston
, respectively, while the hip-hop soul
BJ the Chicago
duet "Us 4Ever" and celebratory slow jam "High," comparatively contemporary in approach, are just behind them. Otherwise, there's pitch-perfect rocksteady in the form of the outspoken "Shot Down," fluid grooves through the title track and the
John Legend
-assisted "Give You More," and a motivational finale in the church with "If You Don't Mind," a
Kirk Franklin
collaboration.
doesn't leave out romantic heartache, either, with "Hello" and "Forgiveness" as affecting as the zeal that radiates throughout the remainder. ~ Andy Kellman