Pop Music CDs

SEPT. 19

Amil, “All Money Is Legal,” Roc-A-Fella/Columbia. The female rapper is a Jay-Z protegee.

Bjork, “Selmasongs,” Elektra. Features music from “Dancer in the Dark,” the Lars von Trier film in which she stars.

Oscar D’Leon, “En Vivo,” RMM. New York’s Copacabana is the setting for what figures to be the first quality live recording of the salsa great.

Fastball “The Harsh Light of Day,” Hollywood. The Texans became an alt-rock fixture with their catchy hit “The Way.”

Madonna “Music,” Maverick/ Warner Bros. Mamadonna follows up her modernizing, career-reviving “Ray of Light,” this time teaming mainly with French dance producer Mirwais.

Willie Nelson, “Milk Cow Blues,” Island. The free-ranging singer has a go at the blues.

George Strait, “George Strait,” MCA Nashville. The country veteran rocked the boat this year with “Murder on Music Row,” his radio-critique duet with Alan Jackson.

Barbra Streisand, “Timeless: Live in Concert,” Columbia. Two CDs from Millenium Eve in Vegas, just in time for Streisand’s final concerts.

SEPT. 26

Black-Eyed Peas, “Bridging the Gap,” Interscope. One of the brightest forces in the Los Angeles rap community comes back with its second album.

Aaron Carter, “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It),” Jive. Call him the Backstreet Baby. Nick Carter’s lil’ bro’ makes his move.

Terri Clark, “Fearless,” Mercury. The country singer wrote the title song with Mary Chapin Carpenter.

John Hiatt, “Crossing Muddy Waters,” Vanguard. The veteran singer-songwriter’s first acoustic album was recorded in three days near Nashville.

Mark Knopfler, “Sailing to Philadelphia,” Warner Bros. Van Morrison and James Taylor are guests on the singer-guitarist’s first album in four years.

Li’l Bow Wow, “Beware of Dog,” Columbia. The debut from the 13-year-old Jermaine Dupri protegee.

Meat Puppets, “Golden Lies,” Breaking Records/Atlantic. The underground icons are back from oblivion, courtesy of Hootie & the Blowfish’s record label.

John Michael Montgomery, “Brand New Me,” Atlantic Nashville. The Kentucky hunk is one of country music’s most reliable hitmakers.

Allison Moorer, “The Hardest Part,” MCA Nashville. Shelby Lynne’s sister turns in the family’s second potent album this year.

Mystikal, “Let’s Get Ready,” Jive. The rapper moves to a new label after two platinum albums with Master P’s No Limit.

98 Degrees, “Revelation,” Universal. The fourth album from the Ohio entry in the teen heartthrob sweepstakes.

Pearl Jam, live series. The 25 double live CDs that have been available on the band’s Web site now hit the stores through the group’s own label.

Amy Rigby, “The Sugar Tree,” KOCH. The acclaimed singer-songwriter cooked her latest batch of songs in Nashville.

Shyne, “Shyne,” Bad Boy/Arista. The debut album from a rapper who’s drawn comparisons to an earlier Puff Daddy affiliate, the Notorious B.I.G.

Los Tigres Del Norte, “De Paisano a Paisano,” Fonovisa. The annual set from the best Norteno group around.

Ugly Duckling, “Journey to Anywhere,” 1500. The trio has been stirring things up out of Long Beach with its old-school take on hip-hop.

Various artists, “Moonshine Over America 2000,” Moonshine Music. A collection of dance tracks inspired by the L.A. label’s national tour.

OCT. 3

Ruben Gonzalez, “Chanchullo,” Nonesuch. The follow-up to the critically acclaimed 1997 solo debut from one of the stars of the Buena Vista Social Club.

Green Day, “Warning,” Reprise. Billie Joe Armstrong and company try to take punk-rock beyond adolescence.

Guru’s Jazzmatazz, “Streetsoul,” Virgin. The Gang Starr member’s third fusion mix features Macy Gray, Herbie Hancock, the Roots and others.

Paul McCartney, “Liverpool Sound Collage,” Capitol. The experimental construction was created to accompany an art exhibit in McCartney’s hometown.

Van Morrison/Linda Gail Lewis, “You Win Again,” Pointblank/ Virgin. Go figure. The Celtic soulster teams up with the sister of Jerry Lee Lewis.

Radiohead, “Kid A,” Capitol. The revered English band’s follow-up to “OK Computer” will be one of the most anticipated releases of the season.

Scarface, “The Last of a Dying Breed,” Rap-a-Lot/Virgin. The latest from the emmber of the Geto Boys and one of rap’s most respected lyricists.

Paul Simon, “You’re the One,” Warner Bros. The veteran’s first formal studio collection since “Rhythm of the Saints” in 1990.

Soul Assassins, “Muggs Presents the Soul Assassins Chapter 2,” Rufflife/Ruffnation. Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs boasts such guests as GZA, Snoop Dog and Everlast on this side project.

Robbie Williams, “Sing When You’re Winning,” Capitol. The Englishman didn’t become an instant star in the U.S., but he’s hanging in there.

OCT. 10

Kasey Chambers, “The Captain,” Asylum. There’s a buzz building around the Australian country singer.

Cherry Poppin Daddies, “Soul Caddy,” Mojo/Universal. The follow-up to the multi-platinum “Zoot Suit Riot.”

Collective Soul, “Blender,” Atlantic. The fifth album from the Atlanta rock band, which is currently on the road with Creed.

Gomez, “Abandoned Shopping Trolley Hotline,” Virgin. The touted British band marks time with a collection of rarities, B-sides and unreleased material.

Merle Haggard, “If I Could Only Fly,” Anti/Epitaph. The country maverick tries to shake off a bumpy last decade in his first album for the L.A. punk-rock label.

Keb’ Mo’, “The Door,” Epic/Okeh. The young blues revivalist has won two Grammys.

Orgy, “Vapor Transmission,” Elementree/Reprise. The follow-up to the Korn protegee’s million-selling debut.

Slash’s Snakepit, “Ain’t Life Grand,” KOCH. The Guns N’ Roses guitarist fronts his own band.

Tamia, “A Nu Day,” Elektra. The Quincy Jones discovery moves to a new label for her second album.

The Wallflowers, “Breach,” Interscope. Jakob Dylan and company try to build on the success of “Bringing Down the Horse.”

OCT. 17

Johnny Cash, “Solitary Man,” American/Columbia. Cash continues his fruitful relationship with Rick Rubin with this set of originals and tunes by Neil Diamond, U2, Nick Cave and others.

Downset, “Check Your People,” Epitaph. The third album from an L.A. band that was an early voice in the rap-rock merger.

Everlast, “Eat at Whitey’s,” Tommy Boy. “Whitey Ford Sings the Blues” made the House of Pain alumnus a solo star.

Juanez, “Fijate Bien,” Universal. The solo debut of a Colombian rock en espanol who has turned to quality pop.

Limp Bizkit ,”Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water,” Interscope. Last year’s breakthrough rock band roars and raps again, with help from DMX, Scott Weiland and others.

Bette Midler, untitled, Warner Bros. Don Was produced this set of soul songs.

Nine Inch Nails, “Things Falling Apart,” Nothing. Unreleased material and new remixes of songs from “The Fragile.”

Mark Olson & the Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers, “My Own Jo Ellen,” HighTone. The singer-songwriter is joined by his wife, Victoria Williams, and Mike “Raz” Russell.

Plastilina Mosh, “Juan Manuel,” Astralwerks. Beastie Boys associate Money Mark produced the second album by this eccentric, eclectic Mexican duo.

Squirrel Nut Zippers, “Bedlam Ballroom,” Mammoth. Another invitation to the dance floor from the swingin’ combo.

Various artists, “Charlie’s Angels” soundtrack, Columbia. Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Woman” is the first single from this score.

OCT. 24

The Allman Brothers, “Peakin’ at the Beacon,” Epic/550 Music. Songs are going to be pulled from their annual month of concerts in March ’99 at the Beacon Theater in NYC

A3, “La Peste,” Columbia. The colorful British band rides in on a second wind that began when “Woke Up This Morning” became the opening theme of “The Sopranos.”

Jeff Beck, “Rock Sucker,” Epic. A new set of tricks from the ever-inventive rock guitarist.

Capone-N-Noreaga, “The Reunion,” Tommy Boy. The New York duo is back together for its first album since 1996.

Nelly Furtado, “Whoa, Nelly!,” DreamWorks. The precocious 21-year-old mixes genres and languages while flashing a star-quality charisma.

PJ Harvey, “Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea,” Island. A recent stay in New York informs the latest from the soul-baring singer-songwriter.

David Holmes, “Bow Down to the Exit Sign,” 1500. Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie and other edge-rock figures participate in the acclaimed DJ’s new album.

Hootie & the Blowfish, “Scattered, Smothered and Covered,” Atlantic. The band’s fans are helping determine the content via Internet voting.

Journey, “Arrival,” Columbia. New singer Steve Augeri joins longtime members Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain.

Patti LaBelle, “When a Woman Loves,” MCA. the veteran singer sinks her soul chops into a set of Diane Warren orginals.

J Mascis & the Fog, “More Light,” Ultimatum. The man who made Dinosaur Jr. roar is back with some new noise.

Megadeth, untitled, Capitol. Will Dave Mustaine and company finally make their long-awaited jump to metal-star status?

Shawn Mullins, “Under the Velvet Sky,” Columbia. Shelby Lynne drops in for a duet on the follow-up to Mullins’ hit major-label debut, “Soul’s Core.”

OCT. 31

Erykah Badu, “Mama’s Gun,” Motown . The hit “Bag Lady” has set the stage for the R&B; priestess’ second collection.

Godsmack, “Awake,” Republic/Universal. The New York-based rock band will look for more good voodoo.

Orishas, “A Lo Cubano,” Universal. The talked-about Cuban group fuses traditional Afro Caribbean rhythms with hip-hop.

OutKast “StanKonia,” LaFace/Arista. Erykah Badu and Gangsta Boo pitch in on the latest from the Atlanta duo, one of rap’s unsung heroes.

Poe, “Haunted,” Fishkin Entertainment/Atlantic. The singer’s first album in five years is a companion piece to “House of Leaves,” the acclaimed novel written by her brother Mark Danielewski.

U2, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind,” Interscope. The Irish band returns with a set produced by its usual sidekicks, Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois.

Dwight Yoakam, “Tomorrow’s Sounds Today,” Reprise. The singer follows his recent acoustic turn with a return to his hard, edgy country.

NOV. 7

Blink-182, “The Mark, Tom and Travis Show,” MCA. This live album will let you find out if the punk-pop trio is as funny on stage as fans claim.

Fatboy Slim, “Halfway Between the Gutter and the Sky,” Astralwerks/Skint. The dance-music star uses singers for the first time. Among those doing the honors: Macy Gray, Bootsy Collins and (via sample) Jim Morrison.

Ginuwine, “The Story,” Epic/550 Music. The story probably involves some seduction scenarios, judging by the soulful singer’s past work.

Alan Jackson, untitled, Arista/Nashville. The country stalwart wrote five of the album’s 12 songs.

Etta James, “Matriarch of the Blues,” RCA. A new label and a new album for the R&B; all-timer.

R. Kelly, “TP-2.COM,” Jive. The follow-up to the blockbuster “R.”

Jennifer Lopez, “A Passionate Journey,” Epic/550 Music. The actress made a splash with her debut album last year.

Prodigy, “H.N.I.C.,” Loud. The solo debut from one half of Queens’ esteemed Mobb Deep.

Various artists, “Badlands: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska,’ ” Sub Pop. As on the original, the acts here--including Chrissie Hynde, Los Lobos and Deana Carter--recorded on just four tracks.

Various artists, “Malcolm in the Middle” soundtrack, Restless. This collection is spearheaded by indie-rock nerd gurus They Might Be Giants.

Various artists, “Strait Up,” Immortal/Virgin. Members of Korn, Limp Bizkit, Incubus, Slipknot and others pay tribute to the SoCal band Snot, whose frontman, James Lynn Strait, died in 1998.

NOV. 14

Marilyn Manson, “Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death),” Nothing. An ambitious, accusatory concept album from the cultural lightning rod.

Ricky Martin, untitled, Columbia. The pressure is on to show some substance behind the smile.

The Offspring, untitled, Columbia. The last album from the pride of Orange County, “Americana,” will be a tough act to follow.

Sade, “Lovers Rock,” Epic. The sultry chanteuse ends a long hiatus.

Rod Stewart, untitled, Atlantic. After decades with Warner Bros., the veteran rocker moves to a new record label.

Keith Sweat, “Didn’t See Me Coming,” Elektra. One of the few 10-year R&B; veterans to retain some chart clout.

Various artists, “O Brother Where Art Thou” soundtrack, Mercury Nashville. The new Coen Bros. movie inspired this reinvention of bluegrass and mountain music.

NOV. 21

Backstreet Boys, untitled, Jive. gentlemen, start your calculators.

Eve, “Scorpion,” Ruff Ryders/Interscope. The Ruff Ryders member became a solo star with her album last year.

Everclear, “Songs From an American Movie Vol. Two--Good Time for a Bad Attitude,” Capitol. Art Alexakis completes his 2000 parlay with a hard-rocking companion piece to his band’s spring release.

Elton John, “Elton John: One Night Only, the Greatest Hits Live,” Universal. Get it while it’s hot--the veteran singer plans to record this album at Madison Square Garden in late October.

Master P, “Ghetto Postage,” No Limit. The rapper-mogul’s second album since he announced his retirement.

Maxwell, untitled, Columbia. The soulful sex symbol’s third album.

Usher, “It’s All About U,” LaFace/Arista. Many expect the young R&B; singer to bloom as a superstar soon.

Various artists, “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” soundtrack, Interscope. Faith Hill, Smash Mouth and Barenaked Ladies are among the contributors.

Wu-Tang Clan, “The W,” Loud. The Staten Island collective’s first group album in three years.

NOV. TBA

Olivia. untitled. J Records. The singer is the first signing to Clive Davis’ new label.

O-Town, untitled, J Records. The group was the subject of the ABC TV series “Making of the Band.”

Spice Girls, untitled, Virgin. Is the girl power still on?

DEC. 5

K-Ci & JoJo, “X,” MCA. Aretha Franklin and the late 2-Pac appear on the latest from the gospel-drenched duo.

Snoop Dogg, “Last Meal,” No Limit/Priority. The Southland star uses East Coast producers for the first time, including Swizz Beatz and Timbaland.

Various artists, “Moulin Rouge” soundtrack, Interscope. The film’s stars, Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, spearhead this survey of 20th century pop.

DEC. 12

Cypress Hill, “Live,” Columbia. The L.A. rap force recorded this set at the Fillmore in San Francisco.

Redman, untitled, Def Jam. The rapper is riding the success of the Hard Knock Life tour.

Run-DMC, “Crown Royal,” Arista/Profile. One of rap’s first heroes tries to reassert itself.

Xzibit, “Restless,” Loud. Executive producer Dr. Dre produces four of the tracks on the rapper’s third effort.

DEC. 19

Layzie Bone, “El Burner,” Ruthless/Epic. The solo debut from the Bone Thug who masterminded the three Mo Thugs compilations.

Method Man, “Tacal 0: the Prequel,” Def Jam. The latest from the Wu-Tang force and “Oz” cast member.