Keyshia Cole - A Different Me

The sexier side of Keyshia Cole huh.  I don't know about you but this is a good look for Ms. Cole.  I think this new look fits her...its actually believable.  Really I feel like people have been waiting for this from her.  Everyone knows that she can really sing...its just nice to hear her voice on softer tracks.  The album starts out with Keyshia's introduction of the sexier side of her in a catchy intro that will have your head noddin.  The next track sounds sort of like a play on a gospel song with the organ and the way she's leading the background singing.  I really could've done without this song.  But then the real album starts.  She brings you into her thoughts of love and romance.  The tracks are nice with strong beats and melodic harmonies.  Her voice lays down on them like an exhausted head on a soft pillow.  She sweetens the deal even more with the added touches of Monica, Nas and 2Pac.  In her outro she asks if you enjoyed yourself...if you enjoyed meeting the sexier side of her...I must say it was a very nice experience Ms. Cole.  There are a lot of songs that could be singles on this one...they will have a hard time picking them.  Good Luck!

Repeat Action

The whole thing!

Brandy - Human

Brandy is another pretty consistent artist...and over the years she seems to put out better and better music.   I really thought that her last album was her best...but she topped that.I  I must admit that I liked her working with Timbaland...but Rodney Jerkins brought it on this one.  This is her best...ha.  I get the feeling that I'll be saying that about the next one in 5 years.  She seems to take her time with each one....maybe to make sure its that sh%#.  Anyway....I don't know where to even start with this album.  I mean as soon as you put it in and start listening you will be taken.   The first song The Definition sets the tone perfectly...hard tracks with meaningful lyrics.  If you like that....go ahead and get the album cause it only gets better.  Rarely do you hear albums where the songs compliment each other.  Its almost as if Rodney Jerkins took some time to survey the playing field out there and pulled the best out of each sound out today and placed them perfectly in this album.  The whole thing can be put on random or repeat.  Please listen to it at least once with a quality set of earphones to really hear the work put in on this one. 

My Favorite (Don't get me wrong I love the whole thing, but if i had to choose one right now)

Torn Down - This is probably my favorite on the album.  Brandy explains how strong a love can be.... Don't tell me I can't build Rome in a day just cause they couldn't do it/If I took a whole lifetime try'na find a way I'd be feeling useless/I'm gonna love you right now/ And its so strong don't know how/ Can't be torn down.  The track on this song encompasses all of the sounds of music out today...the guitar, a hard beat, tantalizing synth melodies dancing all around the beat.  This song is the masterpiece of the album.  

 

Bilal - Love For Sale

Bilal's second album Love For Sale was never released in the US.  I think it was released on LP overseas.  This is a real tragedy for all the music lovers out there because this is definitely an album that needs to be heard and would sell wildly in the US.  Bilal has developed a strong fan base... a fan base that has been wondering what happened to him recording another album.  If you can find it online...get it...you will not be disappointed...this will be one of my favorites for a long time.  His style is very unique within the Neo-soul realm.  This album is not like the first one...it has more mid tempo tracks instead of up tempo tracks.  Each one creeps into your soul as you listen.  Its the type of music that you listen to while you are doing something like work to keep you going.  I guess its hard to explain really.  I just hope you get a chance to hear it.  What a loss to the label holding this album and to the artist.

Musiq Soulchild - OnMyRadio

Musiq Soulchild is one artist that you can count on.  He always delivers a finished product...I know I can buy his cds and like just about every song.  Well OnMyRadio is no different.  The cd starts with two well put together upbeat songs that get you ready for the rest of the cd.  The one thing I think he did better on this cd than the rest is the slower songs.  He really brought it on these slow songs...each one has some real flava to it.  The first one If U Leave gets the help of Mary J.  The next one Deserve U More has a little old school sound to it as he makes a plea to a lady that he is the one that she should be with.  Dear John the next slow song should be heard in a quality system...it has a nice bass filled beat to it.  For me that's what makes the song (you know I am all about some nice tracks).  So Beautiful is probably my favorite slow song on here.  This is the song you need to put on when yo woman wants to put on that special night outfit with the heels or something...yall know what I'm talking bout.  That outfit that makes you just sit back and enjoy each curve on her body.  Try that.  But this cd is not all about the slow songs.  He brings his usual strong, upbeat, soulful tracks also.  Check out Special.  It almost has a go-go feel to it.  Then there's one of my favorites on the cd...Money Right.  This song is beggin for a few bars from Andre 3000.  When you hear it  you will know what I mean.  He teamed up with Damian Marley on I Wannabe to make a song that should be played on a feel good sunny day.  And you already know about the single Radio...with its dirty south club beat.

Musiq Soulchild has released another must have for the collection.

My Favorites

Until

Deserve U More

Special

Money Right

So Beautiful

Radio

88 Keys - The Death of Adam

Glad to see this cd finally came out.  I think I heard the song Stay Up from this cd about a year ago on a Kanye West You Can't Tell Me Nothin mixtape.  I think 88 Keys has a mixtape out too....haven't heard it tho.  This cd follows a story line about a guy named Adam.  And it was executively produced by Kanye West....so that should tell you something.  The first song is a light-hearted song about a guy's "morning wood"...hence the name Morning Wood.  "Your morning could/start off on the right foot if she takes care of the morning wood".  The next song is Nice Guys Finish Last.  The track on this song sounds like a Kanye West track...real soulful.  The song  Handcuff 'em is another song with a real soulful beat that will make you listen over and over again.  I guess 88 and Kanye have the same style cause 88 is a producer himself...so I'm sure he had a lot of input.  Each song has a little narrative at the end which leads you into the next song.  So the next song on the album is Stay Up (Viagra)...and it features Mr. West.  The song is exactly about what the title says...ha.  This cd really is pretty funny.  You really got listen to (Awww Man)  Round 2?...it's hilarious.  But anyway...the cd goes on telling this story about Adam who eventually winds up dead.   Check 88 Keys out its worth the money....buy it.  

Tracks That Will Get Repeat Action

Nice Guys Finish Last

Handcuff 'Em

Stay Up! (Viagra)

(Awww Man) Round 2? 

Dirty Peaches

MILF (featuring Bilal)

Another Victim