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Music’s big day out: A trio of superstar releases set for Sept. 29

Fans of popular music’s biggest divas — who are likely still giddy from the return of Whitney Houston — might feel like Christmas is coming early this year. Tuesday, Sept. 29, to be precise, the day new releases hit simultaneously from superstars Barbra Streisand, Madonna and Mariah Carey.

Streisand delivers the vocal jazz collection “Love Is The Answer.” The album was produced by contemporary jazz favorite Diana Krall and recorded live in the studio with her small ensemble backing Streisand throughout the sessions. Songs on the 13-track set include “In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning,” “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most,” “Here’s That Rainy Day” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” “Love Is The Answer” is Streisand’s 33rd studio collection; 21 of her previous albums made the top 10.

Madonna concludes her career-long association with Warner Bros. Records with “Celebration,” a two-disc greatest hits collection. The 36-song retrospective spans from Madge’s 1983 eponymous debut to last year’s “Hard Candy.” One new track is tacked onto the end of each disc to entice hardcore fans who already own the material to break down and re-buy. The set’s thumping new title cut is already ruling nightclub dancefloors. As stated, this ends Madonna’s contract with WB; her future material will be released by concert giant Live Nation.

Carey follows up last year’s chart-topping “E=MC2” with “Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel,” the first album she’s released since marrying actor Nick Cannon. The superstar has amassed 18 number one Billboard pop hits to date — second only to The Beatles 20. If radio gets behind this project and the public likes what it hears, Carey has the potential to tie or surpass the Fab Four for this impressive chart record.

— By David Stout . Q-Notes staff

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