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With the likes of Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake gracing the scene, white-boy soul has become a popular feat these last five years. The FIRST one to introduce us to it however was the King of blue-eyed soul himself Jon B having burst onto the scene in 1995 with debut album ‘Bonafide’. But it was his platinum-selling 97 release ‘Cool Relax’ that really put his name out there as an established artist. In fact, the former Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds-protege really paved the way for the Thickes and Timberlakes of this world, securing an established market for white-boy soul. The singer who turned 34 last week has been absent over the last four years getting married and enjoying fatherhood. As much as I feel Jon B isn’t credited as much for bringing white-boy soul to the forefront, his latest new album ‘Helpless Romantic’ certainly fails to implement that fact. You want a mean tasty steak, but end up with a measly undercooked burger instead. The album definetely fell short prior to previous albums, which would have been hard acts to follow anyway, but nonetheless, he didn’t bring real meat to the table here. Having shown some bitterness towards his ‘rival’ Thicke recently, I was expecting to be blown away by this project but ended up feeling short changed.
The album opens up with the sensual slow groove ‘Drops of rain’ which sees the singer rollercoastering between the soothing falsetto and natural vocal range. Prince influences can also be heard in songs like ‘Everybody Here Wants You’ which is another sensual slow jam. On the lead single ‘Oh So Sexy’, Houston rapper Paul Wall is only one of two collaborators featured on the album. On the track, he uses chilled out vocals over melodic piano riffs which adds that extra smoothness. The pace is however switched up a bit with the mid-tempo cut ‘Get What You Want’ which has a really nice horn-filled chorus as well as the more uptempo ‘It’s U’ with the added input of synthesised vocals; a decent song but nothing amazing.
‘Won’t Say Yeah’ is a catchy mid-tempo club number. Jon B anecdotes his appreciation for being in love in tracks like ‘Helpless Romantic’ and the oldskool R&B flavoured ‘Paradise In You’; the type of songs that his followers have enjoyed from him in the past. On the chilled out ‘Ride of Our Lives’, he collaborates with an artist called Jonzii (another artist on his label), where he uses breathy slightly synthesised vocals to describe the new outlook that his daughter has bought him. The rest of the album pretty much follows in the same vein with it’s slow and sensual urban grooves.
I’ve been listening to Jon B’s music since I was 14 years old and in high school. He’s been around long enough and unbeknown to some, this is his 6th studio album. My problem isn’t that it’s only an album plaqued with smooth and sultry slow cuts as that is mainly what he’s known for as well. However, the standard of the music isn’t that great this time, and I just feel he could have come a lot harder. Just like Usher who also had an album centered around his new marriage and challenge to fatherhood, I just think something was definetely missing from the earlier days and I want to hear that edge again.
Rating: 2.5/5
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:51 am
This is the worst album of his career. Everything about it was cheesy, from the title to the awful, dated looking album art to the songs themselves.
I was really excited when I saw that his album leaked, because I wasn’t even aware he was working on anything.
But all the songs sounded the same after a while, and it was pretty slow and boring in comparison to Pleasures U Like and Stronger Everyday.
Good, on-point review Toya. I give the album 2/5.
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:57 am
Never heard of him and wont check him out. He looks like Ryan Leslie in the album cover though.
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:08 am
When did Jon B. get so ugly?
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:19 am
Nathan just check out “Lately” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0KeZ4Bcltk
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:23 am
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 am
I think he’s a much better singer than Robin Thicke
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:34 am
Complelty agree with Toya’s review. What is going on with jon? He was one of those consistent artist’s and this album was a total let down. His last album was so much better, with cuts like ‘Lately’, ‘I’m Right here’ ‘patience’ etc ‘dont talk’ is one of my all time favorites as well as ‘They dont know’ and nothing on this album even cones close. The only tracks i listen to are ’so sexy’ and ‘its u’ which is weak. I
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
Goaties are so 90’s.
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:37 am
Toya how many posts will there be today?
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:40 am
Very weak album. He is normally so consistent. Nothing on this album comes close to his best tracks ‘They Dont Know’ ‘Dont Talk’ ‘Lately’ ‘Im Right Here’ ‘Patience’ ‘Keep It Real’….the only tracks i listen to on this album are ’so sexy’ and ‘its u’. I bet you this will be his last album….
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:55 am
All the contestants on the X-Factor are gunna sing two songs, 1 Britney song and one other song buy any American artist.
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 am
I LOVED Keep It Real, was that the version with Jay-Z and Coko?
Don’t Talk, Lately and Everytime Feat. Ol’ Dirty Bastard were hot too
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:14 am
http://www.uranking.com/vote.asp?member=17497
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 pm
i swear me and my older sister used to argue if he was mix (black n white) i said he was mix and she was like no hes white. i couldnt believe it lmao i was like theres no way a white cat could have sooo much swagger.
he was sooo damn sexy back in the day…hmm lol
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
He’s a great singer but I’ve never liked him as an artist. His songs outside of a few never made an impact on my life and definitely were not worthy of my money. His attitude lately has turned me further off. I can’t stomach those who hate when they hardly have a pot to p*ss in themselves. He can take his whiny ass home to his wife like Usher does cuz I could care less. Good review Toya, although for me, the rating was too high. His writings always leaves something to be desired. Oh well, I’m not a fan in the least so I’m just rambling too much.
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I never thought Jon was white. He’s the classic wigger, poser to me. I’ve met him before which solidified him into my a-hole hall of fame. I’m done but I really can’t stand him.
November 24th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
He doesn’t look 100% Caucasian, but who knows.
April 18th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
June 5th, 2009 at 6:47 am
I agree, most on here must not know good music when they hear it. Jon’s new album is great. If you’re looking for bump in the trunk type go listen to JT. This guy IS R&B music, something very few are doing these days.