BIG WIDE GRIN

The latest in the Family Artists series lives up to its name as Grammy-winning blues artist Mo' brings his broad talent to a fine album celebrating family in all its guises. The mix of songs both familiar and new includes soulful reworkings of "Family Affair" by Sly and the Family Stone and "Love Train," a hit for the O'Jays, as well as a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" featuring harmony vocals by Mo's son, Kevin Jr. On the jazzy "Isn't She Lovely," Stevie Wonder's song of joy and thanks at the birth of a daughter, listeners are treated to several good examples—xylophone, piano, etc.—of the excellent musicianship heard throughout the recording. An acoustic guitar version of "America the Beautiful" evokes the image of friends jamming on a back porch along the Mississippi Delta. In the inspiring and emotional "I'm Your Mother Too," a duet with Brenda Russell, parents reassure their adopted child of the wealth of love and support they have for him/her. Further along on the parental front, "Color Him Father" is a tender tribute ("I think I'll color this man father/I think I'll color him love... My mother loves him and I can tell/by the way she looks at him when he holds my little sister Rochelle") in which a boy appreciates the special qualities of his stepfather. And in a just-for-fun entry, actress Camryn Manheim does a credible job singing back-up vocals on the breathlessly paced, boogie-woogie-style "Flat Fleet Floogie." All told, Mo' achieves a deep emotional resonance with his heartfelt guitar playing and a honeyed, slightly gravelly voice that never fails to touch the soul. All ages. (June)

FYI:Mo' performs the song "Everybody Be Yoself" from this new album on an episode of Sesame Street scheduled to air on June 14.