POP/ROCK

Eric Clapton, "Clapton" (Reprise)

"Clapton" is a solid, if meandering, listen. It stretches and sprawls, spreading its reach far and wide to include laid-back blues groovers ("That's No Way to Get Along") and angular rock creepers ("Travelin' Alone"). He and producer/bandmate Doyle Bramhall II bring some guests into the mix, too, with Sheryl Crow's familiar voice, Allen Toussaint's tender piano and J.J. Cale's soulful vocals adding something special to these songs. The record is a sentimental journey, and while Clapton favors the saccharine here, a couple of numbers -- the mandolin-fueled "Hard Time Blues" included -- help anchor this outing in more neutral ground.

RICARDO BACA, DENVER POST

JAZZ

Jane Monheit, "Home" (Emarcy/Universal)

Monheit has made a career out of silver linings and their pursuit, applying the pristine sensuality of her voice to songs of cozy reverie. Discontentedness and dejection are tougher for her. And "Home," her first self-produced release, smartly plays to her strengths. Monheit sticks almost exclusively to the standard songbook, swinging gaily on some tunes -- including "Tonight You Belong to Me," a fuzzy dandelion of a duet with vocalist/guitarist John Pizzarelli -- and burning a low flame on others. Monheit delivers her best pathos on the only brand-new song, "It's Only Smoke," sounding like a would-be stoic in the face of devastating clarity.

NATE CHINEN, NEW YORK TIMES