Shaft
"Who is the man that would risk his life for his brother man?"  Why, the same man who nearly 30 years later is brought to life by Samuel L. Jackson in John Singleton's remake of the 1971 classic. That's private eye John Shaft--any questions?Isaac Hayeswon an Oscar for the original movie's theme and that double-album soundtrack remains an essential of its genre. It's a tall order to fill those flatfoot shoes, but there's plenty of fine soul music here to go around.R. Kellyscrubs away the varnish of modern R&B; with two compelling old-school grooves, "Bad Man" and "Up and Outta Here."Donell Jones, Alicia Keys,Carl Thomas, andAngie Stonealso ride out the early 1970s R&B; vibe with lush strings and funky guitars backlighting the romantic mood. It's not all nostalgia, however. Big Gipp (featuringGoodie Mob),OutKast, Sleepy Brown, and others represent today's hip-hop laced with a healthy nod to the days of Philly Soul,Gamble and Huff-style.--Rob O'Connor