I've decided to let iTunes shuffle guide my latest few album reviews, focusing more on quantity than quality of reviews (although, hey I'll admit it, the quality will still be baller).Jaheim's 2005 entry into the contemporary R&B world "Ghetto Classics" made him a star. Singles like "The Chosen One" and "Everytime I Think About Her" blended equal parts classic soul with modern hip-hop/thug sensibilities, making Jaheim equal parts Sam Cooke and R. Kelly. In short, the formula works brilliantly.
Jaheim's got a great voice, and sings about relevant contemporary R&B topics with clever lyrics (notably "Daddy Thing," "Like A DJ," "Fiend"). Song-wise, 90% of the album is wonderful smooth modern R&B mixed with a couple club-bangers just to keep it relevant. Jaheim even dabbles in a bit of nu-soul on "Come Over" and "Like A DJ". Jaheim hasn't made a perfect album, and there's still some icky filler like "125th" and "Masterpiece," and he's yet to strech his vocal ability to R. Kelly levels or master the club-cut like Ushser, but overall the album showcases Jaheim's break from undergound ghetto singer to a modern master of R&B.
MY RATING:
Must-listen for all fans of classic and modern R&B. Has some problems, but definitely redeemed by his unique voice and great "ghetto/classic" style
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