Jennifer Hudson, “Spotlight” (Arista). Ne-Yo returns a favor — Hudson appeared on Because of You’s “Leaving Tonight” — by penning the first single from Jennifer Hudson, due in September. Thematically, the song is about a stifling relationship, not fame, and while Stargate-produced midtempo melodrama is nearing the brink of overabundance, the Norwegians’ backdrop here is ideal, a low-key but subtly powerful groove for Hudson to reintroduce herself without doing the expected. She almost goes all-out during the bridge, never quite belts it out, doing only what is necessary for the song. It’s all very Phyllis Hyman, and that’s a good thing — maybe the best thing possible (and it’s wholly appropriate that Hudson is on the same label that released some of Hyman’s best and most successful albums). If taking time to “get it right” entails this level of quality throughout the album, the long wait will be very much worth it.

Dwele, “I’m Cheatin’” (Koch). One of Detroit’s lowest-profile talents has been going strong as ever since late 2005’s Some Kinda, but he has been doing it quietly (naturally). Features on tracks by J Dilla, Kanye West, Common, Hil St. Soul, Goapele, Foxy Brown, and others have kept him active, and then there’s his Grammy nomination for a cover of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “That’s the Way of the World.” Characteristically laid-back and sly, the first single off his third album (his first for Koch, due late June) is about a fling with another side of his woman’s personality, a fact that will become evident at some point during the first verse. Not a radical departure by any stretch, but definitely a promising indicator for those who track the man’s moves.

Jazmine Sullivan, “Need U Bad” (J). This yearning but swaggering reggae/R&B hybrid (the rhythmic switch-up is a clever one), stamped by Missy Elliott and destined to be confused for Alicia Keys (or even Lauryn Hill, if only for the reggae element), deserves to be a surefire contender for the single of summer 2008. The few songs that this 21-year-old Philadelphian has released officially, from “Braid Your Hair” to “Season to Love,” as well a Kindred the Family Soul collaboration and a co-written Christina Milian hit (”Say I”), indicate a very broad range, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what shape her upcoming album will take.

Here is the full roster of new R&B entries on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for May 17 and 31 (there were no new entries for the 24th), listed in order of position, along with ratings on a 0-to-10 scale and links to samples.

May 17, 2008
61. Eric Benet, “You’re the Only One” (6)
92. Dwele, “I’m Cheatin’” (8) MySpace
100. Jazmine Sullivan, “Need U Bad” (8) MySpace

May 31, 2008
88. Ryan Leslie f/ Cassie, “Addiction” (6) MySpace
99. Jennifer Hudson, “Spotlight” (9) MySpace

Previously
January 19 (Ryan Leslie, Usher)
January 26 and February 2 (Dear Jayne, Raheem DeVaughn, Cherish)
February 9 and 16 (Johnta Austin, Charlie Wilson)
February 23 and March 1 (Mariah Carey, Usher, Ashanti)
March 8 and 15 (Estelle, Noel Gourdin)
March 22 and 29 (Tiffany Evans, Michael McDonald)
April 5 and 12 (Lloyd, Karina Pasian, Paris Houston)
April 19 and 26 (Lalah Hathaway, Ne-Yo, Conya Doss, R. Kelly)
May 3 and 10 (Usher, Colby O’Donis)