★★★★ (out of 5)
While there are those picking sides in the Chris Brown or
Usher debate of who is the reigning king of R&B (please note: the
only people tossing Justin Bieber’s name in the ring are those who think
R&B stands for “rainbows and bunny rabbits”), R. Kelly is simply
getting it done, letting his music speak for itself.
And rarely in the past decade has he done it better and more
satisfying than on this latest collection of tasteful and tasty
seduction songs.
At times coming off like a Barry White-Michael Jackson hybrid, the
artist dances lightly and playfully through gorgeously lush compositions
seemingly plucked from the most soulful part of the ’70s.
Lyrically, for the most part, the material has a comparative
innocence to it, sidestepping the down and dirty for the dining,
drinking, dancing and simple, joyful pleasure of making fine, sweet
love.
And, in fact, the best track on the album is the gleeful, good-time
doo-wop number All Rounds on Me, which shows off some call and response
all Isley Brothers-like, and demonstrates that R. Kelly can bring the
party better and more musically than any of his younger contemporaries.
As if there was any debate.
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