Unlike rock/electronic- or DJ-branded artists, dance music artists—those singers of songs—rarely get the mainstream respect they deserve. Ultra Naté may reverse this with "Grime, Silk and Thunder." Working with an armful of producers and artists, including StoneBridge and Chris Willis, Naté manages to temper her rhythms of the night with sturdy pop sensibilities. A glittering, tech-soul cover of the Pointer Sisters' "Automatic" has already topped Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart, while its visually arresting video is a YouTube sensation. Songs like "Give It All You Got" and "Feel Love" are as gorgeously uplifting and anthemic as Naté's 10-year-old international hit, "Free." In a clever and smart move, Naté reinterprets two of her early club hits ("It's Over Now" and "Scandal") to winning effect. At the center of it all are Naté's sublime blues-tinged vocals. —Michael Paoletta