By this point, hopefully you’re aware that TVOne’s “UnSung” is the best music documentary series on TV. Its sixth season begins tonight with an episode about Sly & The Family Stone. Considering the series has yet to do an episode without the presence of the artist(s) covered (provided they’re alive, of course) I think it’ll be interesting to see what Sly says about his own creative demise. The season of the show rolls on from there on Monday nights at 10 PM Eastern. Upcoming subjects include the late Gerald LeVert, soul-jazz siren Angela Bofill and pioneering rapper Kool Moe Dee. Needless to say, I am looking very much forward to this new season.

Would you consider Nas unsung? Sure, the Queens rapper has had almost two decades of success, but he’s never really been recognized   by a mainstream audience–the man has never had a Top Ten hit. At any rate, his new album, Life Is Good, is scheduled for release on July 17th. The track listing (which you’ll find below) looks plenty interesting. The album’s primary producers are Common and Kanye associate No I.D. and longtime Nas collaborator Salaam Remi, who is perhaps best known for co-producing Amy Winehouse’s gargantuan Back To Black album. Guest performers include Mary J. Blige, Large Professor (!),  Anthony Hamilton and…Amy Winehouse herself. The late singer appears on the track “Cherry Wine.”

1. “No Introduction,” produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
2. “Loco-Motive” feat. Large Professor, produced by No I.D.
3. “A Queens Story,” produced by Salaam Remi
4. “Accident Murderers” feat. Rick Ross, produced by No I.D.
5. “Daughters,” produced by No I.D.
6. “Reach Out” feat. Mary J. Blige, produced by Salaam Remi, Rodney Jerkins, DJ Hot Day & Nas
7. “World’s an Addiction” feat. Anthony Hamilton, produced by Salaam Remi
8. “Summer on Smash” feat. Miguel & Swizz Beatz, produced by Swizz Beatz
9. “You Wouldn’t Understand” feat. Victoria Monet, produced by Buckwild
10. “Back When Produced,” produced by No I.D.
11. “The Don,” produced by Salaam Remi, Heavy D & Da Internz
12. “Stay,” produced by No I.D.
13. “Cherry Wine” feat. Amy Winehouse, produced by Salaam Remi
14. “Bye Baby,” produced by Salaam Remi & Noah “40” Shebib

Deluxe Edition

15. “Nasty,” produced by Salaam Remi
16. “The Black Bond,” produced by Salaam Remi
17. “Roses,” produced by Al Shux
18. “Where’s the Love” feat. Cocaine 80s, produced by No I.D.

Bonus track for iTunes: “Trust,” produced by Boi-1da

Bonus track for Japan: “The Don (Don Dada Remix),” produced by Salaam Remi & Heavy D

Finally, a man who’s collaborated with Nas has had to shelve his summer tour due to throat problems. Soul hunk Maxwell has a throat condition. He’s suffering from vocal swelling and hemorrhaging and has been advised by his doctors to rest his voice. Throat issues seem to be attacking my favorite singers more than usual lately (Adele, John Mayer) and we wish Maxwell a speedy recovery. His fifth studio album, BlackSUMMERSnight, is still scheduled for release later this year and Maxwell has said that there will be a tour to promote that.