Looking for new music? Look no further than your local Queens Library! Every month, our expert staff will bring you the best of what's new in our collection. Check out these music recommendations for December.

Lee Brice, I Don’t Dance
Hailing from South Carolina, Lee Brice is firmly part of the new country sound that celebrates its redneck roots with high-end production values. His first two albums would have fit right in at any line-dancing hoedown. His latest, I Don’t Dance, is shooting for more of an adult contemporary crossover audience. The title track would fit in at any family gathering where fathers dance with their daughters. You can watch the video for it here.

Dietrick Haddon, Best of
Though he is a native of Detroit, you may know Dietrick best from the reality show Preachers of LA. He has been recording gospel music since 1995 and has managed to break a few rules along the way. He has appeared on Soul Train and worked with many R&B artists such as Mary Mary and Ruben Studdard. You can request this Best of CD from the Queens Library catalog or check out his entire catalog on Freegal.

Chayanne, En todo estaré
Chayanne is a Puerto Rican pop singer, actor, and composer with more than 20 albums recorded and 30 million sold. He is also known for acting in Spanish-language soap operas and comedies, but has lately been putting his music first. Although he tried and failed to join Menudo, he went on to join another boy band, Los Chicos, and he’s been producing hits ever since. You can request his latest CD from the Queens Library catalog or check out his catalog on Freegal.

Twista, The Dark Horse
Chicago artist Twista was once recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s fastest rapper. He may not hold that title any longer but he has just released his ninth album, The Dark Horse, to critical and commercial acclaim. Guest artists include R. Kelly, Tyme, and Wiz Khalifa, but the breakout single “It’s Yours” features the smooth styling of Tia London. Check out the video for that song here.

José James, While You Were Sleeping
José James may not be a household name, but he is doing some interesting things with jazz, soul, and hip-hop. He is a graduate of the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and has explored many genres from gospel to electronica. His current stint on Blue Note Records has brought out a more commercial sound, but one still uniquely his own. You can listen to the title track on his new album here.

Johnny Winter, Step Back
Blues and rock lost an icon this past summer when Johnny Winter passed away. Step Back is his last studio album and features a wide variety of guest stars from Eric Clapton to Dr. John. It is a companion piece to his previous album Roots, where he was getting back to the music that inspired him so many years ago. Though he is best known for his blistering electric guitar work, check out his acoustic rendition of Son House’s “Death Letter" here.

Toni Braxton & Babyface, Love, Marriage & Divorce
These two relatively dormant R&B celebrities (who hadn’t sang together in years) decided to collaborate on an album of romantic duets. Then, they decided to co-star in the Broadway production After Midnight. When Love, Marriage & Divorce was released earlier this year, both artists were thrust back into the sort of fame they hadn’t felt since their peak in the 1990s. This album continues to sell and it is easy to understand why. If you haven’t heard the call, listen to “The D Word” here.

Leela James, Fall For You
Leela James has been making records for 10 years and should be better known by now. She is a singer-songwriter who is comfortable with soul, R&B, hip-hop, and blues. She isn’t comfortable with the current state of the music industry, vocally criticizing its culture of materialism in her interviews and songs. Perhaps that is why she isn’t part of the mainstream...yet. You can request Fall for You from the Queens Library catalog or listen to it right now on Freegal.

Marsha Ambrosius, Friends and Lovers
Also known as “the Songstress," Britain’s Marsha Ambrosius (who used to be part of the group Floetry) has collaborated with a variety of stars, including, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Slum Village and Earth, Wind & Fire. She’s been the victim of some record label shenanigans but seems poised now to break through to a wider audience. You can request this CD from the Queens Library catalog or stream it now on Freegal.

Kelly Price, Sing, Pray, Love Vol.1: Sing
Kelly Price is no stranger to Queens; she was born and raised in Far Rockaway’s Edgemere Projects. You shouldn’t be a stranger to her music, since she has won seven Grammy Awards since she started recording in 2001. It has been three years since her last record (and Grammy), so she is due for a bit more fame and glory. All the songs on Sing, Pray, Love Vol. 1: Sing were written by Kelly and her partner Shep Crawford. The first single is “It’s My Time” and you can watch the video here.