JAHEIM - APPRECIATION DAY

JAHEIM

APPRECIATION DAY

2013

I love this dude and even though, after a few

listens, it may fall a little short compared to Joe

or Brian McKnight's latest, it does however sound fantastic.
There are no bad tracks here really and after the proper
spins this album deserves, it's truly another great release
with a lot of standout tracks. A must cop for any RnB fan.

1. Age Ain't A Factor 4.5/5
2. He Don't Excist 5/5
3. Morning 5/5
4. What She Really Means 5/5
5. Pussy Appreciation day 4.5/5
6. Baby X3 4/5
7. Shower Scene 4/5
8. Sexting 4/5
9. I Found You 4.5/5
10. Florida 5/5
11. Sticks N Stones 5/5
12. First Time 4/5
13. Blame Me 5/5
14. Chase Forever 3.5/5

Overall Score: 9.1/10

GLENN LEWIS - MOMENT OF TRUTH

GLENN LEWIS

MOMENT OF TRUTH

2013

Ever since Glenn Lewis came on the scene with the

awesome "World Outside My Window" and more

particularly his first single "Don't You Forget It",

I've been a fan for life. That song is still in heavy

rotation and in my R&B Hall Of Fame. Simply fantastic.

Seeing he released a new album this year and R&B

is back where it should be, I knew this was going

to be something great or at least I hoped it would be.

After a couple months listening to the album now,
I have to admit I was wrong. It is not great...
It is fantastic! I absolutely love this album and
had it on repeat for several weeks straight.
I might even go as far as saying it's my favourite
RnB album this year, if it wasn't for Joe's Doubleback.
Front to back this is so damn great with some
amazing songs to take you back to his first album.
Top notch RnB here that everybody needs in their collection!

Overall Score: 10/10

Here's the amazing "Can't Say Love" to get you sucked in!

MARQUES HOUSTON - FAMOUS

MARQUES HOUSTON

FAMOUS

2013

Matress Music was hella dope and quite the surprise.

This time around it looks like Marques got his
D'Angelo on and boy is it fantastic.
First up though, let's talk production. Now this is
exactly what R&B has been missing in the last couple of
years. The drums in particular. This feels like the good
old days again. Easy kicks with the right kind of snares
and the rhythm and groove that makes R&B such
a great genre. No futuristic sounding drums with horrible
melodies and flows. First Brian McKnight, then Joe and 
now Marques (not to forget TGT & Charlie Wilson). 
R&B definitely made one hell of a comeback.
As for the vocal production, you know things are right back
were they should be when every single line in the verses
has a great melody all in its own. Nothing boring at all.
With all that said, this album, however great, is just a notch
below Joe and Brian McKnight. Still man, this album
is sweet as hell and such an easy smooth ride to just
have on in the background or when you want to zone out.
Props to you Marques for keeping it real and back to
giving us that feel again from the golden days. 
I need to bump a few more times for a final rating, but
for now this is definitely up there! Go get it!
(Btw, what a great take on Marvin's classic huh!!)

Overall Score: 9/10

Here's exactly what i'm talking about! Sweeeet!!

TGT (Tank, Ginuwine & Tyrese) - THREE KINGS

TGT (Tank, Ginuwine & Tyrese)

THREE KINGS

2013

What a beautiful day for this to be a reality! Just like LSG with 

Levert, Sweat & Gill, this just can't go wrong!  Awesome trio!

Let's hope the production is right up there too...

Full Review Coming Soon...

DONELL JONES - FOREVER

DONELL JONES

FOREVER

2013

Just like Joe, Donell Jones is back with another release to make

2013 the year of RnB's return for sure, but i'm not sold on

this one. I might need a few more spins, but really, 

it's the production that's just not cutting it. Compare this

to Joe's Double Back and you know what's up. Aweful drums,
boring melodies and nothing that stands out. Even DJ himself
sounds like he ain't into it. C'mon son!

Kind of disappointed in Donell to be honest.
A lot of these songs are just lacking in proper melodies,
both vocally and musically. It's a snoozefest and just 
nothing you want to listen to over and over again.
This is a miss, and I really hope Donell would
have come correct like other R&B artists this year.
Maybe next time, I'm still confident he can bring it.
("The World Is Yours" track from 2010, that's exactly what
he should be doing with the whole album, all the time)
Just get a proper production team behind you man!
Overall Score: 4/10

JOE - DOUBLEBACK - THE EVOLUTION OF R&B

JOE

DOUBLEBACK: THE EVOLUTION OF R&B

2013

Hell Yes! Listening to a new Joe alb is always going to be

the most exciting thing you do that day!

Despite the last album being so so (and a first in

Joe's impressive ouvre), this one is Joe at his best
and he's done it again: delivered a classic RnB album
like it's suppose to. The production is exactly
what was missing with the last release and perhaps
richer and more complex but boy does it work. 
Also back are the perfect vocal production where
Joe excells in so much. It's such a blessing.
From the energetic opening track you know you're in
for a treat and throughout the entire album til
the very last second of the title track, it just grabs you.
And it doesn't let go. It's simply fantastic and it even
topped Brian McKnight's latest. I love it and i can bump
this front to back 24/7 weeks on in. Now that's what's up!

Overall Score: 10/10

I could've added any track of the album here, but
i decided to go with the opener "Something For You"...enjoy!

Q PARKER - THE MANUAL

Q PARKER (of 112)

THE MANUAL

2012

Q doing a solo. You'd think there would've been some

kind of promotion or commotion happening right?

Or maybe I completely missed out, but when I saw

this album was released last November, i was totally

surprised...and excited! Still need to bump a few more

times, but there are some really nice cuts on here!

Full Review Coming Soon!

BRIAN MCKNIGHT - MORE THAN WORDS

BRIAN MCKNIGHT

MORE THAN WORDS

2013

Mr McKnight has done it again! Despite the

album starting off real up-tempo and the 

one or two lesser tracks, this is classic RnB

from one of the greats! Bumped a few

times, and so far i'm impressed!

1. Don't Stop
Keepin it old school funky here which I'm
not sure i wanna hear all the time, but McKnight's
smooth vocals make it easy and you have to admit
the production is top notch. 3.5/5
2. LetSomebodyLuvU
A little more soulful with this uptempo track and
thanks to the great vocal production this is
a really great and recommended track. 5/5
3. 4th Of July
The 80's vibe over this one throws me off a little.
It comes off too cheezy with the chosen piano.
However, McKnight pulls off the vocals. 3.5/5
4. Sweeter
Solid track that doesn't really standout too much.
I think the melodies in the verses ar lacking.
The hook makes up for that a little
Edit: those melodies have grown on me big time,
and i absolutely love this now! 5/5
5. She Doesn't Know
Again a completely different vibe. Kinda playful
pop with a stevie wonder twist. It's pretty fly
thanks to Brian's melodies and lyrics. 3.5/5
6. More Than Words
Now we're getting somewhere. The title track is
one of my favourites and vintage McKnight. 5/5
7. Nothing But A Thang
Continuing on with more smoothness and perfect
vocals over a tightly produced track. Love it! 5/5
8. LiveWithoutYou
Another classic McKnight track that reminds me of
his best work from previous albums. The hook
could have hold a bigger oomph though. Still. 5/5
9. Made For Love
This is too much for me. McKnight pulls it off in a
big way and i know one of my all-time favourites,
Luther Vandross, had plenty of these 80's uptempo
tracks, but hey..it was the 80's. I'm not sure about today.
Still, it has something. Just not for me.
Edit: it has grown on me and as far as these tracks
go really, it is done perfectly i must say! 4.25/5
10. Get U 2 Stay
Now if we're talking about those kinda tracks, this is
the way to do it. This is so damn smooth for uptempo.
Close your eyes and get lost in the melody.
"i'm on fire - and i hope that you feel the same"
When he sings this line it puts the biggest smile on my face.
Simply fantastic and nostalgic! 5/5
11. Slow
Not a fan of the drums here or the choice of instruments.
Doesn't keep you engaged one bit. A shame, a better beat
would've done the melodies more justice. 2.5/5
12. Another
Again, wrong choice of drums entirely! Just wrong.
Make this a Joe/R.Kelly type bass and it would've
been great, but that kick is so annoying
But despite that it is growing on me. 4/5
13. Trying Not To Fall Asleep
Now this is how you do slow songs. Grand in every way! 5/5
14. IDidntMeanToTurnYouOut ft. Brian McKnight Jr.
Frickin awesome track! Always loved Brian incorporating
jazz into certain tracks, but this is ridiculous! Awesome!
And wow, Jr. got them pipes too! Favourite track. 5/5
15. The Front, The Back, The Side
Great way to end the album with smooth vocals. 
Drum-wise again, i have some issues, but really it
doesn't matter with this one. It's so smooth. 5/5

Whatever i thought about the album initially, forget it!
This album is growing on me big time and my initial 8.9/10
is not doing it justice! I'm lovin it man!

Overall Score: 9.5/10

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - THE 20-20 EXPERIENCE

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

THE 20/20 EXPERIENCE

2013

Seven whole years we had to wait for JT's follow-up

(not counting Suite 806 of course), and finally the wait

is over, and lemme tell you: it was so damn worth it!

I've been bumping non-stop every chance i can get to take it 

all in, and every time another track catches my interest

(either all over again or for the first time) and that's saying 

it all. What JT and Timbaland have done here is musically

top notch and whether or not you're a fan (and i'm a big one),

you have to acknowledge the shear genius of these two.

Like with the previous album, the extended take on 
tracks and switcheroo in production and having
them push 7-8 minutes is simply brilliant.
Timbaland lost his touch years ago when he tried
to expand into different genres and really just went pop,
but this man is to music what Michelangelo is to painting.
Like R.Kelly tries to reinvent different types of music
within his own genre, so does Timbo, and this time
he succeeded big time. With the help of JT.
Like is said before, these two togehter is genius and
i believe they push each other to become even better.
I still prefer the old timbo of course (from RnB with Ginuwine,
to Dirty South with Petey Pablo & Bubba Sparxxx)
but listen closely and deeply to these productions here
and you can't help but admire the shit out of him!
And the Timbo touches are still there of course
(the indian sample on track 3, the drums on Mirrors
and his perfect feature on Dress On).
A perfect example showcasing his brilliance comes
halfway "Don't Hold The Wall" when things get switched
up a million times, with superb little instrumental
add-ons. Pretty much the whole album has things happening
that you really can't dismiss or judge this album with just
one or two listens. Just be amazed and take your time!
Now as far as Justin goes. Seriously dude can do no wrong
in my book and still has one of the coolest vocal styles.
Whatever Timbo did on the production, JT pulled it all off
equally on the vocal production. Again, brilliant.
Every single damn track! Whether uptempo tracks
(Let The Groove Get In) to complete mellowed out
(Blue Ocean Floor) to his distinct Pop/RnB groove
(Mirrors), it is all flawless and sounds superb.
The only track i wasn't feeling at first was
Let The Groove Get In, but like the title says,
you have to let it get in. Once you do, it's another
amazing track and add that other multiple discoveries
along the way (try and listen 10+ times) and you
have yourself a perfect and flawless album.
Though front to back it's one hell of a ride without 
skipping a beat, my personal favourites are:
"Strawberry Bubblegum", "Mirrors" & "Dress On".
Album of the year, hands down, any genre!

1. Pusher Lover Girl 5/5
2. Suit & Tie ft. Jay-Z 5/5
3. Don't Hold The Wall 5/5
4. Strawberry Bubblegum 5/5
5. Tunnel Vision 5/5
6. Spaceship Coupe 5/5
7. That Girl 5/5
8. Let The Groove Get In 5/5
9. Mirrors 5/5
10. Blue Ocean Floor 5/5
11. Dress On ft. Timbaland 5/5
12. Body Count 5/5

Overal Score: 10/10

TQ - LEGENDARY

TQ

LEGENDARY

2013

When TQ first came out with Westside, it was one of

those grand moments. His debut album was so damn

unique and, in my eyes, made TQ...well, legendary!

He followed up with the equally great album 

"The Second Coming". After that he went quiet a little

bit and released a few under the radar albs like

"Listen", "Gemini", "Paradise" & "Kind Of Blue".

Still great but nothing like his first two really due

to production that didn't allow TQ to shine properly.

This time around "Legendary" falls inbetween

with the first half being truly great, and the second half

suffering from less than stellar (and too much pop 

current radio type material) production. Still...

Those first couple tracks like "No Better Love",

the great collabo with the awesome Mystikal on

"Bad Man", "California Dreamin", "In My Eyes",

the very nice title track "Legendary", "I Wish"

(though heading in pop direction), & "The Pusher".

After track 7 it's getting a little synthy and the

melodies are starting to lack and don't hold much

punch, sans the few bright spots here and there.
"Star" for example is such a guilty pleasure! 

In the end it is great to see TQ come out with another

 album and especially kill it the first half. But it 

should've been more RnB and less pop towards the end. 

The Mystikal feature alone gets all the props though!

Overall Score: 7.5/10

AVANT - FACE THE MUSIC

AVANT 

FACE THE MUSIC

2013

Avant has always been on the down-low and not
many people would mention this guy when naming
the RnB greats, but seriously this dude has the voice.
Never disappoints and i'm glad to say that he
hasn't sold out like others (*cough Usher). Not everything
on this album is that great though (the rap on "80 in a 30"
is abysmal, as is the hook for "NO) but when Avant hits his stride 
on top notch productions (which half of the album is lacking) 
it's all you can ask for these days. A step in the right direction
though not there yet, and nowhere near the good old days
(or Charlie Wilson's latest), but it's nice for real.
Best track of the album: "More"
Overall Score: 8/10

CHARLIE WILSON - LOVE CHARLIE

CHARLIE WILSON

LOVE CHARLIE

2013

And then Charlie Wilson comes around again to
prove there is still hope for the new year.
This is classic Charlie and RnB like it is still 1998.
The collabo track with Keith Sweat is golden and the rest
of the album delivers on all fronts. 
Tracks like "Show You", "A Million Ways To Love You",
the excellent "My Love Is All I Have" are exactly what i'm talking 
about that's missing and want from all the other RnB cats!
But thank God for Mr. Wilson! (and dude is over 60!!)
Overall Score: 9.2/10

COMING SOON...

R&B's FINEST
A Throwback To The Smooth

R&B like we knew it, is dead, kinda...and it's a damn shame.
Very few are still doing it properly, but face it, the days
of 112, Dru Hill, Joe, Jagged Edge, Usher in his 8701 days,
Total, Aaliyah, Blackstreet, Boyz II Men, Montel Jordan, and so many
others blessing us with the best vocal productions and smooth beats

is over. So i will be reminiscing here with reviews, 

videos, and whatnot. I'm still working on the first content so 

check back on the regular for the first major update

and many more to come...

Until then, here's the video from Joe's "What If A Woman

off his "Better Days" album...it can't any get better than this!

Now this is exactly what I'm talking about, they just don't make

music like this anymore!  More to come, be on the look-out!