Plus: Shawn Mullins [ tickets ], Babyshambles [ tickets ], more

Sergio Mendes [ tickets ]
"Timeless"
(Concord/Hear Music)

Sergio Mendes, one of the most successful Brazilian musicians in history, gets plenty of help from some new friends on his latest release. "Timeless" was produced by Will.I.Am, whose band, The Black Eyed Peas, joins the likes of Justin Timberlake, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, John Legend, Q-Tip and Stevie Wonder among the famous guests featured on this album.

Mendes, a savvy, veteran musician who made an international splash in the second half of the '60s with his band Brasil '66, could have a hit on his hands with this record. Not only does the disc have the support of Starbucks' Hear Music label, which usually means great placement and tons of play at zillions of coffeehouses, but its first single, "Yes, Yes Y'All," is already a major radio smash in some markets.

Jaheim [ tickets ]
"Ghetto Classics"
(Warner Bros.)

Jaheim is a man who sticks with what works. In this case, it's a portion of an album title. The soulful singer follows 2001's "Ghetto Love" and 2002's "Still Ghetto"--which were both sizable successes in the R&B world--with "Ghetto Classics."

The album's first single is the romantic jam "Everytime I Think About Her," which is currently featured in a television advertising campaign for Verizon Wireless music stores.

The Sword [ tickets ]
"Age of Winters"
(Kemado)

There's a big buzz surrounding the debut album from this new heavy metal band from Austin, TX. The quartet--vocalist/guitarist J.D. Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie and drummer Trivett Wingo--has certainly made a name for itself in its hometown, a city better known for countrified singer-songwriter material than bone-crushing rock. Word has spread on the band thanks to glowing press--including numerous magazines that have pegged them an act to watch out for in 2006--and an opening slot on a national tour with fellow Austin-ites ... And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead.

Shawn Mullins
"9th Ward Pickin' Parlor"
(Vanguard)

The Atlanta-based folksinger makes his overdue return with his first release since 2000's "Beneath the Velvet Sun." Whether this album can take him back to the heights reached with 1998's "Soul's Core," an album that went platinum on the strength of the single "Lullaby," is uncertain. What is certain, however, is that fans who have patiently waited some six years for new product will definitely want to visit this "Parlor."

Babyshambles
"Down in Albion"
(Rough Trade)

Mick Jones is a believer, and you should be one as well. Jones produced this debut album from Babyshambles, the new group featuring former Libertines member Pete Doherty. The record boasts the Top 5 U.K. hit "F--- Forever."

Other new releases:
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, "Hidden Land" (Sony)
Hawkwind, "Warrior on the Edge of Time" (Rock Fever)
Freddie King, "Live at the Electric Ballroom" (Shout Factory)
Los Lobos, "The Wolf Tracks: The Best of Los Lobos" (Rhino)
Matchbook Romance, "Voices" (Epitaph)
Christy Moore, "Burning Times" (Sony)
Mountain Heart, "Wide Open" (Skaggs Family)
Sissel, "Into Paradise" (Decca)
Subways, "Young for Eternity" (Sire)
Various Artists, "The Celtic Lounge" (Sequoia)
Various Artists, "I am the Resurrection: A Tribute to John Fahey" (Vanguard)
Various Artists, "Gospel Music" (Hyena)
Various Artists, "A Tribute to Nicolette Larson: Lotta Love Concert" Veronicas, "The Secret Life of the Veronicas" (Sire)
Rhino)

Soundtracks and scores:
"Firewall" (Varese)