Seventeen.com - July 25

You've been aching for a Japanese D'Angelo, haven't you? Well, you might not believe that fine, funky R&B would translate 'cross the Pacific, but that's 'cause you haven't heard Toshi Kubota yet. Renowned in his home country since he released his first album in 1985 (he's sold over 11 million albums worldwide), Nothing But Your Love is the second English-language album by the dreadlocked fox, and it looks set to break him on these shores. Featuring steamin' contributions from the Roots, Angie Stone (who co-wrote and sings on the warm, sultry "Someday"), Lucy Pearl's Raphael Saadiq, Soulshock & Karlin, Pras (who raps while Toshi wails on "Never Turn Back"), the Track Masters, Joi Cardwell, and more, Kubota's '70s grooves and sinuous vocals will have you instantly turned on to the international language of his "groovitational field theory." One of the most intriguing discs of the year to date.