Jaheim
Ghetto Classics

4 out of 5 discs

Success in the R&B market or for any genre is all about timing.  Just ask people like Grenique or Caron Wheeler whose albums came out before the explosion of Neo Soul music.  Even Kenny Lattimore and Sam Salter had to contend with the  newly-discovered crooning of  Maxwell and D'angelo.  Recent years can be labeled as the R Kelly/Usher era with both singers dominating the R&B charts the last six years.  Sure, people like Ginuwine, Jagged Edge, and Joe have had modest success, but others like Dave Hollister, Case, Avant, and Donell Jones never mustered quite enough attention of the R&B world despite the fact that most of their releases were commendable.  Jaheim has seen all of this unfold during his previous two debut albums as well.  While he has managed to go platinum with both albums, he hasn't been able to push above the glass ceiling to superstar status.  With many other R&B albums crowding the market, Ghetto Classics is a good attempt at getting to the top of the game.

This release is easily Jaheim's best album to date.  He stayed away for awhile, but those that are serious about their craft are known to do this.  These types of artists tend to utilize all the time it takes to make their albums the best they can be. Otherwise, you have material from some of today's singers who simply push product without any care for how they sound.  Jaheim obviously took his time, and it's evident in the breakout single "Everytime I Think About Her" featuring the gritty verses by both him and Jadakiss.  It follows the formula suggested in the album title of representing the street along with keeping with the old school sound that everybody has coined for Jaheim. 

Heartfelt ballads are a-plenty on this album.  Songs like the truthful "Daddy Thing," and the genuine "I Ain't Never" are standout slow jams.  Other cuts like "125th," "Masterpiece," and "Come Over" are smooth in their delivery as well.  He gives us a good dose of the matchless mid-tempo melodies like "The Chosen One," "Conversation," and "Forgetful."  "Fiend" featuring Styles P and "Like A DJ" are good tracks, but they offer some questionable lyrics that may have a few listeners wondering where Jaheim is going with each song.  However, besides those two minor speed bumps in the middle of the album, Ghetto Classics lives up to its title and more.

4 out of 5 discs

Ne-Yo
In My Own Words

In My Own Words is phenomenal.  That's saying a lot considering that this is a debut album from a singer who had absolutely no prior promotion or guest appearances on other major releases to help get him over to the listening (and buying) audience.  Coming off the recent success of Mario's Turning Point (by the way, Ne-Yo co-wrote "Let Me Love You") and Chris Brown's self-titled LP, this young balladeer gets right to the point on this album.  Ne-Yo makes his presence felt the most in his song lyrics, and he proves his worth with the release of In My Own Words.

I recently called Chris Brown the future of R&B, but Ne-Yo is giving him and others a run for their money.  The breakout singles of "Stay" featuring Peedi Peedi and the infectious "So Sick" are great, but there are surprisingly many others that have potential to be singles for Ne-Yo.  "Mirror" is classic request line material for those late nights.  The feelgood "Let Me Get This Right" has some nice keyboard and instrumentation to accompany strong vocals from the singer.  "I Ain't Gotta Tell You" could easily be a favorite album cut by those teenage girls out there.  The background music in "Get Down Like That" sounds very old school and the lyrics serve as a friendly reminder to the ex girls that he's moved on to bigger and better things.  His classic tales continue with smooth sound of "Let Go," the power ballad "Time," and classic 80s sound of "Sexy Love."  

"Sign Me Up" is a nice up-tempo cut for dancing, as well as "It Just Ain't Right" which borrows "I Call Your Name" by Debarge for the background.  "When Your Mad" is the only selection that you might have a problem with since it's talking about how good a girl looks even when she is mad.  Although unrealistic, "When Your Mad" still has great production which makes it tolerable.  Considering most of the album is just him, Ne-Yo wasn't lying when he said it was In My Own Words.  The weird thing about this album is the fact that teenagers, young adults, and the Grown And Sexy can enjoy this album.  With most albums targeted for one audience, Ne-Yo and his label should have no problem with marketing this album.  And with a good price point, In My Own Words should be in your own collection.

Ralph Tresvant
Rizz Wa Faire

3 out of 5 discs

Ralph Tresvant has certainly had his share of ups and downs in his career as a member of New Edition.  Although his solo career started off okay like his NE counterparts with his self-title album Ralph Tresvant, the release of It's Goin' Down was the perfect title for what his solo career would ultimately do.  He would return with the group for the marginally successful Home Again album and the not-so-successful One Love.  Needing a break from all the bureaucracy, Ralph re-ups and goes solo once again with the independent release of Rizz Wa Faire.  Although not as bad as It's Goin' Down, it's definitely room for improvement.

There are a few gems on this album that will have most Tresvant fans happy.  "Man Who Loves You" is a definite jam reminiscent of the early solo stuff on Ralph Tresvant.  Other songs like the smooth "Save A Little Love," the suaveness of "Too Cool," the contagious "Never Noticed," and the bangin' first single "My Homegirl" are all knockout tracks for Ralph.  Decent cuts include "Love Hangover," "Don't Act Innocent," and "Better Man."  Doesn't sound like a bad album, does it?  Not so fast!

"Magic Underwear" sounds just as ridiculous as its title.  Shall I continue?  The questionable production on "Jungle Club" or "Strange Emotions" will leave you confused to say the least.  The rushed delivery and equally mind-numbing lyrics on "Angel."  There's also the ever-so-dated "Something To Give U" and the overproduced song "Another Shot."  Ralph Tresvant didn't do his best with Rizz Wa Faire, and it seems he had the potential to actually have a supreme album this time out.  But with little artistic direction and a mountain of bad choices, Rizz Wa Faire is only good enough to purchase in used bin at best.

4 out of 5 discs

Shanice
Every Woman Dreams

After a seven year hiatus, this songstress returns for a comeback that many probably wished would have happened sooner.  Breaking on the seen in the mid-to-late 1980s, Shanice was the young singer that we all knew and loved.  After mega hits like "Silent Prayer" and "I Love Your Smile," the marketing geniuses couldn't capture enough buzz for her later albums.  Fast forward to today, and Shanice has yet another opportunity to fight for the attention of the masses.  And with Every Woman Dreams, she definitely has the musical artillery to back it all up. 

Although the album starts with the lackluster "Get Up," it rolls right into the dynamic first single "Every Woman Dreams."  It showcases all of her talent and reminds everybody that she is a grown woman doing grown things nowadays.  "Things In The Movies" is enjoyable ballad that uses Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' "I Miss You." She gives some good advice with "Keep It To Yourself" and sets the mood with "Take Care of U."  "So Sexy" is an unnecessary fast cut, but it's obvious she wants to keep herself from being pigeon-holed as just one thing.  "That's Why I Love U" brings it back to the slow jams, infusing a slight touch of old-school percussion in the background.  "Crazy 4 U" is a light and sentimental ballad with a lot of crossover appeal.  "So Free" expresses the feeling of being autonomous, "Chocolate" compares a man to her favorite candy, and "Lovin' You" is a cover of the classic jam by Minnie Riperton. 

The tender "Forever Like A Rose," the thought-provoking "Can't Imagine," and the ode to her husband on "Joy" close out this phenomenally impressive album.  It's almost scary that Shanice was able to put together such an amazing album after 19 years in the business.  You truly won't regret adding Every Woman Dreams to your music collection.  It would be a shame for this independent release to go unnoticed by the R&B market.  So help get the word out because that's the only way we will see this illustrious singer get her just due.   

R Kelly
Remix City Volume One

4 out of 5 discs

Most R Kelly fans have everything this man has put out anyways.  But for those who were late jumping on the bandwagon, Remix City Volume One serves up the hottest (and a few not so hot) remixes that span R Kelly's entire career.  Remixes for classics songs like "Bump and Grind," "Slow Dance," "Your Body's Callin'," "Sex Me," "I Can't Sleep Baby," and "Down Low" already make this disc worth the money.  Additional jams like the remixes for "I Wish (To The Homies That We Lost)," "I Mean (I Don't Mean It)" "Step In The Name Of Love,"and "Ignition" further exemplify the worth of this disc.  Some songs like the two "Feelin' On Your Booty" remixes as well as "Slow Wind" and "Burn It Up" could have been left off and replaced with other remixess.  I guess we'll have to wait for the obviously-needed Volume Two for any other jems. 

4 out of 5 discs

Cafe Soul All Stars
Love Pages

Okay, this isn't your everyday compilation by any means.  A lot of times there are jazz collections put together that simply don't incorporate enough big names to persuade the casual contemporary jazz fan to want to take a chance on it.  You might see one or two names you are familiar with, but after that, you're stuck with only so-so production from average singers doing only okay songs.  And a lot of times you get albums that have R&B-tinged songs, but not one R&B singer in sight on the disc.  I'm a huge fan of jazz covers of R&B songs, but I really love it when R&B singers jump out of the box and actually try their hand at singing a little jazz.  Well the architect behind the creation of the Cafe Soul All Stars were paying attention and have blessed us with Love Pages.

Of course you get your dose of contemporary jazz here with George Benson handling vocals and guitar on "Pages" and Bobby Lyle on the up-tempo instrumental "Brazilian Heat."  The lounge vibe comes across on Jon Lucien's "To Be With You," a song that some will compare to the work of the late great Lou Rawls.  Musical mastermind Roy Ayers and Kenny Garrett command your attention on the upbeat dance groove "Urban Jungle."  Ayers pops back up again with a smoother track called "Pier 69" that accentuates his percussion perfection. 

One of the best features on Love Pages is the inclusion of some known R&B and Jazz singers who know how to breathe life into a song.  Maysa does double duty with the silky sounds of "Stay In My Heart" and the resonant "I'm Changing," a track that is radio friendly enough for today's Smooth Jazz stations.    Glenn Jones belts out another contender for the airwaves with "What You Gonna Do" while Peabo Bryson validates his power ballad expertise on "Don't Make Me Cry."  The incognito Christopher Williams resurfaces with a nice tune called "Used To Be" while equally missing-in-action songstress Vesta makes her presence known with "One More Bridge To Cross"

Other lesser known talents like Denise Stewart ("U and I"), Jazmyn ("You Don't Have To Say You're Sorry") and Ida Onyanango ("Sheba") round out this collection beautifully.  It's no surprise that one of the geniuses behind this disc is Norman Connors, a man who's instincts make him unparalleled to say the least.    Love Pages takes you on a musical journey where the terrain is always changing, but the ride stays smooth the whole way through.

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