Dear Jayne, “Rain” (Music Line/Capitol). This Atlanta-based female trio might’ve preferred to have this song issued during the spring or summer instead of the dead of winter, but it sounds like it has enough staying power to be on heavy rotation through the warmer seasons. If the production reminds you of J Holiday’s “Bed” and The-Dream’s album track “Purple Kisses,” with that fluttering interstellar glide, it’s probably because they all share the same producer: Carlos McKinney (aka L.O.S., Supaproducer L.O.S.). McKinney played keyboards with Inner City (”Good Life”), performed and recorded with the likes of Wallace Roney and Elvin Jones, scored New York Undercover with James Mtume, and worked his way through the major-label R&B ranks (his best-known work prior to 2007 might be Boyz II Men and Faith Evans’ “Relax Your Mind”). Now he’s one of the hottest producers around.

Raheem DeVaughn, “Customer” (Jive/Zomba). Yet another track with some resemblances to “Bed” — those gently ricocheting percussion hits, that lullaby twinkle — but it was produced by Ivan “Orthodox” Barias and Carvin “Ransum” Haggins, not McKinney. Some ears are bound to prefer it over Holiday’s hit since it’s less cute, and there aren’t too many songs fronted by openly submissive and appreciative males these days (or ever). While there are stronger songs on Love Behind the Melody, this is likely the least resistible. It should help prevent DeVaughn from being boxed in as just another neo-soul singer. He can be modern and throwback with equal effectiveness. A gorgeous seven-minute ’70s-meets-’00s ballad follows this song on the album.

Cherish f/ Yung Joc, “Killa” (ShoNuff/Capitol). Yet another new entry from an Atlanta-based female group. “Killa” is Ciaraish’s Cherish’s upbeat and glitzy return, debuting one week after another song from the Step Up 2 soundtrack: Missy Elliott’s “Ching-A-Ling.” Though Yung Joc gets the feature here, it’s the group’s best single yet, produced by Don Vito (Jagged Edge’s “Good Luck Charm,” Cherish’s “Do It to It”) and newcomer Blade. Trey Songz’ well-established “Can’t Help But Wait” excepted, it could be the soundtrack’s biggest R&B track, provided Cassie’s “Is It You” doesn’t get a big push.

Here is the full roster of new entries for January 26 and February 2, listed in order of position, along with ratings on a 0-to-10 scale and links to samples:

January 26
89. Raheem DeVaughn, “Customer” (9)
94. Ray J f/ Yung Berg, “Sexy Can I” (4) MySpace

February 2
72. Lyfe Jennings, “Never Never Land” (6) MySpace
79. Cherish f/ Yung Joc, “Killa” (7) MySpace
81. John Legend, “Slow Dance” (6)
96. Angie Stone, “Sometimes” (6)
99. Dear Jayne, “Rain” (9) MySpace

Previously: January 19 (Ryan Leslie, Usher).