The Latest Reviews!


Keyshia Cole | A Different Me
Geffen

Naturally, no one wants to be in emotional pain forever. And while every artist benefits from a trademark sound (Keyshia Cole's being that of her heart breaking), it's important to bring variety into the play for obvious reasons. That being said, it's nothing wrong with Keyshia wanting to explore and expose a different, more sensual, sexier side. In theory, that would be the next logical move in the progression of her career. Unfortunately, Keyshia's desire to explore and expose was borne in a flailing industry that operates under the mantra of "strike while the iron is hot." Hence, in no less than 14 months, Keyshia's heart and scars have apparently healed well enough to unveil A Different Me.

Make no mistake: A Different Me is by no means a "bad" album, per se - especially considering some of Keyshia's competition. You Complete Me is easily one of Keyshia's most earnest and genuine love songs in her catalog (with the vocal performance to match). Where This Love Could End Up and Beautiful Music inject a jazzier tone to the record that shows off her versatility while Please Don't Stop is simply the happiest record she's ever cut (and one of the most infectious). And Oh-Oh, Yeah-Yea and Thought You Should Know are quite easily the sexiest record she's done; The Outsyders' come-hither rhythm on the former and Tank's intimate club bounce on the latter are a perfect complement to Keyshia's lyrics and vocals, which showcases her striking the balance between confidence and vulnerability and makes one excited about this progression of hers.

However, having this evolution come so quickly on the heels of her previous success, which was touted as an evolution itself, makes the majority of what she's attempting to pass off as a new side of her come across more as a textbook chapter from Greedy Record Execs 101. The rehashing of old material is a dead giveaway. Yes, all artists end up with a bevy of cutting room floor tracks that travel from album to album looking for a home. However, very few end up as a single. Playa Cardz Right feat. 2Pac was a nice treat when it was spliced together for 2Pac's album 2 years ago. As the lead single following a Grammy-nominated, 10-week #1 R&B smash, it falls beyond flat. The same goes for Trust feat. Monica. A duet with a contemporary R&B superstar could prove to be history in the making. But having her lay new vocals (that sing you out the booth and give evidence of why part of your career is owed to her no less) over a limp bonus track from your previous album basically defeats the purpose.

This leaves us with a remainder of inoffensive regurgitations from Keyshia's back catalog - No Other a.k.a. Shoulda Let You Go, Brand New/This Is Us a.k.a. Love/Heaven Sent (similar concepts, different acoustic guitars) - and the outright attempts at a new direction - the awkward Erotic and the self-explanatory yet self-defeating Make Me Over which isn't so much awkward as it is odd.

Overall, the album itself, in theory, isn't a bad project. The execution just sucks. The concept is fine and the handful of decent records is something Keyshia could've come up with on a good day regardless. The problem lies with how rushed, forced, and halfhearted the album feels. She didn't reinvent the wheel or her emotional outlook; she simply changed the subjects she wanted to write about. And, for whatever and whoever's reason, this is what we're left with - a different Keyshia but by no means a better Keyshia.

Final Grade: B- Favorite Tracks: Thought You Should Know, Oh-Oh, Yeah-Yea feat. Nas, You Complete Me!

 - Justin "Shooter"




Brandy | Human
Epic

From the opening intro to Brandy's fifth album "Human," she lets listeners know her definition of being human. Having the freedom to be yourself, not caring what other people think and not being afraid. Just having that freedom to be you! Sentiments we all can understand. Sharing most of her life in the spotlight as a singer and actress - now at age 29 Brandy is ready to share her strength through it all with "Human." The first track "The Definition," produced by long time collaborator Rodney Jerkins starts the set off perfectly. The bass-driven song, speaks of being free and content & discovering the greatest thing of mankind..love. One of the best voices in music, Brandy illustrates her vocals throughout the disc - and shows why she's still at the top of her game, nearly 15 years after the release of her debut album. "Piano Man" is without a doubt one of the albums highlights. The track showcases Brandy going hard once again over a Darkchild beat. As Brandy speaks to her Piano Man, "Play me a song about heartache, I promise I can sing every word, play me a song about love lost, that's another one everyone's heard. We can have the whole world signing tonight!" True Indeed!

Lyrically this is Brandy's best album hands down! "I've evolved and my music has evolved with me and so the topic matters are a little different. They're about self and being a better me and things like that. So they're a little more inspirational and message driven than my old stuff." Brandy shares with UrbanBridgez.com - Midi-Mafia produced the mid-tempo "Torn Down," another album highlight. "True" if released as a single could easily follow the success of Brandy's last huge Pop ballad "Have U Ever" which reached #1 on Billboards Hot 100 chart. Brandy's versatility in her vocals have never sounded better over the RedOne production. "A Capella (Something's Missing)," possibly the most creative song in Brandy's catalog, features Brandy singing over her own vocals with no production. Hence the title "A Capella," written by one of Brandy's many fans TC, the song is sure to be a favorite for those who enjoy her sultry vocals with those incredible adlibs. Her voice stands alone..perfection at its best!

Overall, Brandy has endured more in her lifetime that most couldn't imagine, this album is her testimony that she's still standing and isn't going anywhere!

Final Grade: A- Favorite Tracks: Piano Man, True, A Capella, & Long Distance!

 - Mr. UBG (UrbanBridgez.com)




Beyonce' - "I Am ... Sasha Fierce"
Columbia/Music World

Beyonce. (Or should we say Sasha?) She is the woman we love to hate, or love to love. She is one of the most disputed artists of our era, yet undeniably one of the most vocally talented we have seen. The one we have come to recognize as the queen of our R&B and pop world. She exudes grace and fervor at once. She is soft spoken and reserved, yet loud and sassy. She is emotional and desperately in love, yet completely independent and makes her own rules. How can all of this be?

Perhaps because Ms. Knowles is actually divided into two different personas - Beyonce and Sasha.

Beyonce bares her soul and opens up to her fans in the first segment of her two-disc album, "I AM... Sasha Fierce" - a somewhat overdue peek into her true persona. We have never seen Beyonce like this. A flood of powerful and intense emotion precedes us, with the folk/pop single "If I Were a Boy" leading the way. A different style for Beyonce, and not what steadfast Beyonce fans are used to hearing from her, but it becomes understood and is easily adaptable after a few listens.

"Halo" is a clear winner, an incredible ballad that showcases some enormous and expressive vocals from Ms. Knowles. While the song risks sounding overdone, she is able to pull off the drama and magnitude of the record.

The album quiets down after the power ballad with the whispery, syrupy sweet "Disappear." Stargate helms the piano driven and melancholy "Broken Hearted Girl," a mediocre addition to the Beyonce collection of the album. Although her light, airy vocals on "Satellites" are both noteworthy and refreshing from her typical constant belting that we have come to know and love from the Queen B, the song falls short of stealing the show. This 'sold-short' feeling is intermittently felt on the "Beyonce" side of the album. The poetic "Smash Into You" quickly reminds us of the beautiful resonance in her voice-how calm, peaceful... Channel Sasha Fierce.

Most label this collection of the album as "radio friendly". While absolutely true, a better term for these tracks would be "performance friendly." Here we see Sasha Fierce, Beyonce's self-proclaimed, unbridled alter ago (who has in fact been present all along her career) officially given recognition for her bold, sexual, and untamed energy. Immediately one can envision Beyonce pulsing, shaking, and throwing herself all over a stage.

Sasha first is sure to invite her favorite type of female (single ladies, of course) to listen to this record, via the upbeat anthem "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)", a track distinctly reminiscent of her previous hit "Get Me Bodied." It is a song that may require a few listens to grow on you, but once it does, it is stuck with you forever. Next comes a sensual ode to her "Radio", a disco infused tune which introduces a thick Texas twang to the forefront of her vocal performance-apparently Ms. Fierce brings out the Southern drawl in Beyonce's otherwise perfectly polished voice.

"A diva is a female version of a hustler," Sasha declares saucily in the crowd pleasing, beat knocking "Diva." Produced by Bangladesh and accompanied by Beyonce spitting a couple of hard, heavily egotistical verses, most have regarded the song as the female "A Milli." Sasha is definitely not playing around in this standout club banger, expressing her frustration of getting "so sick and filthy with Benjis [she] can't spend" and threatening that "this is a stick up, stick up, I want them bags of that money!" With swagger' like this, it makes us wonder whether beau Jay-Z could possibly ghostwriting for his wife...

"Sweet Dreams" is an electro-pop ode to a sleep filled with visions of B's man, meanwhile "Video Phone" follows with one of the heavier beats on the album and the most outspoken we see from Sasha ("What? You want me naked? If you're liking this position you can tape it/On your video phone" - gasp! This really isn't sweet, daddy's girl Beyonce!). "Hello" - endearing and romantic, yet still hinting at some attitude - is a solid, striking midtempo that allows us to catch our breath from all the wild sex appeal Sasha has just thrown at us. Saturated with organs, horns, and an old school flavor, "Ego" calls the overly confident nature of Sasha and her significant other to the forefront, impeded with a somewhat awkward chorus ("It's too big, it's too wide/It's too strong, it won't fit/It's too much, it's too tough/He talk like this 'cause he can back it up/He got a big ego"). Concluding our official introduction to Ms. Sasha Fierce, we are finally able to lift our hanging jaws from the floor as she belts out the dazzling and poignant ballad, "Scared of Lonely."

This album is incontestably the most versatile we have seen Beyonce to date. While most artists will inevitably boast about the "personal growth" they plan to demonstrate on their upcoming and latest albums, Beyonce has in fact made it a point to throw her own growth in our faces and make it entirely blatant that she has really and truly expanded her horizons, all the while extending her scope and appeal. She effortlessly and flawlessly bridges the gap between all genres of music - folk, pop, alternative, spiritual, R&B, even hip-hop... as only a woman with a serious alter ego problem could.

Favorites: "Halo," "Diva," "Video Phone," "Hello"

- Brianna (UrbanBridgez.com)


John Legend "Set's it Off" in Minneapolis!
Minneapolis (11/19)

Grammy winning recording artist John Legend blessed Minneapolis last night by starting his current tour for his latest release "Evolver" in the city. Lights go down and the first thing you see on stage is a large screen, that shows the singer entering a boxing ring, putting on his gloves and ready to start the show! Starting out with his hit "Used to Love U," John entered the arena from the aisles and worked his way to the stage as the fans screamed. Showing he has mad swagger, John was decked out in a fly black leather jacket, black jeans and a white shirt. John is known to be a beast on stage and he didn't disappoint. As he performed songs from all of his albums including "Satisfaction," "Get Lifted," "Save Room," "Quickly," "No Other Love" & a host of others. Backed by a seven member band, that included three background singers & one who dubbed as a hype man during John's outfit change.

As John performed his hit "Heaven" the big screen that served as his introduction was used to display illustrated cartoons with the performance. During the 95 minute set John didn't just sit at the piano and play, in fact he was very interactive with the audience and worked his way around the stage. One of the nights highlights included his performance of his single "Slow Dance" John slow danced alone, however after awhile he looked to the audience to find a young lady to participate with him. As they slow danced together and he sung the line "I propose that we go to the floor," John went to the floor! At the end of the performance he showed why the ladies love him, as he handed her a rose as she exited the stage to go back to her seat. Songs from his catalog wasn't the only songs fans got treated to hearing from John. After his outfit change into a black blazer, John emerged back to the stage and did a melody that included Between The Sheets (Isley Bros.) & Computer Love (Zapp/Roger).

"Still Number 1" was another highlight of the night, as John's band turned into his background dancers. Doing a well choreographed number as they continued to perform. John sat on a stole while he performed "One More Try" from his new album "Evolver" and sang it flawlessly! As the show came to an end, the band exited and John sat at the piano. Seconds later, he performed his current hit single "Green Light" while the audience cheered him on and turned the show into a party. John ended the night with stellar performances of "Ordinary People" & "If You're Out There." Images appeared on the big screen of Mandela, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln and of course President elect Barack Obama (which grew the largest reaction from the fans).

Over all it was a great show, considering it was opening night and many things could of went wrong, whatever did go wrong if anything, it wasn't evident in the show. Make sure you check out John when he comes to your city and pick up his latest release "Evolver" in stores now. - Mr.UBG (UrbanBridgez.com)


Love For Sale (DVD)
Image Entertainment

Russ Parr (nationally syndicated radio host) delivers this comedy as he wrote and directed the film. Starring Melyssa Ford, Mya, Jackie Long, Jason Weaver and Essence Atkins. The film focuses on Trey's character who finds himself in a love triangle between Katherine (Melyssa Ford) an older woman who can't seem separate her feelings from a booty call and Keily (Mya) a young lady who is already in a situation. One of the best comedy films this year, Russ proves he has talent on and off the air. Jackie and Jason re-team together from their last film together ATL, playing best friends as they did in ATL. Mya delivers a great performance as a young lady trapped in an mentally abusive relationship, trying to find a way out who has another guy trying to prove to her he will treat her the way she deserves to be treated if only given the chance. With her performance in this film, it makes me look forward to her next film project.

Vince (Jason Weaver) defiantly provides most of the comedy relief as he plays a young man in search to find the right woman, only problem is he's looking online to find that mate. Terrence J from BET's 106 and Park makes a cameo in the film playing a radio jock, who ends up breaking the hottest new artist on his show. His performance makes me look forward to more roles from him, as he plays his part well & shows he has acting skills. Clifton Powell's plays pro-black Cinque, who feels the need to share his thoughts with his employer and Vince's father through the film. You'll have to buy the DVD to see the twist in that! Other actors in the film who deliver stellar performances include Richard Lawson, Tanjareen Martin, Angell Conwell, Shawty Shawty, Lamont King and Big Daddy Kane. A wonderful an worthwhile film to add to your DVD collection, pick it up on October 21st!

- Mr.UBG (UrbanBridgez.com)


It Happened in Chruch (Stories of Humor from the Pulpit to the Pews) (Book)
Kensington

If the name Patti Webster rings a bell, it's due to the fact that she's a publicist and has represented everyone from Halle Berry to Janet Jackson. Now author can be added to the list as she has released her first book "It Happened in Church (Stories of Humor from the Pulpit to the Pews)." The title lets you know what the book is about. Patti shares stories through her as well as others like Tichina Arnold, Dr. Creflo A. Dollar, Randy Vaughan & a host of others. Bible scriptures and song lyrics are also included in the book along with some of the stories. "A few years ago, God dropped in my spirit to write a book that celebrate laughter," says Patti. There's a story about a young lady who didn't come up in the Church, and was invited to attend a service. The lady sat in the front row with a friend, Paula White was giving the service and speaking on the love of God and how you're not a product of your environment. The young lady was so moved by the words she ended up in tears. Described as the cutest thing, she was so wrapped up and consumed with the ministry that she reached down and pulled out a cigarette and started smoking it in the front row! The ushers approached her to escort her out, however Paula stopped them and said "don't interrupt her - the Spirit of God is moving and dealing with her!"

Patti shares a variety of stories that will make you chuckle, laugh and give you deja-vu from some of your own experiences while at Church trying to get the good word. Like for me, this story told by Creflo Dollar about the day he was preparing for baptisms and realized the water was really cold. He then told the first lady to be baptized of the water situation and told her he could do it the next week or she could go ahead with it that day, she decided to go ahead with it. As she got close to the water, she started to yell "Oh Jesus!" When she started stepping into the water she got louder,"OH JESUS!" Trying to make it as quick as possible he gave a short message and dipped the woman fully into the water. She jumped up and said "Oh Sh*t, that water was cold!" The deacon on duty immediately yelled, "Pastor, dip her again; it didn't take!" Not exactly that way, however I have experienced something close to that in Church years ago and still laugh to this day when thinking about it. This is a book that any Church-goer would love as well as someone who doesn't attend Church often, it will show them how fun it really can be! With Christmas coming up soon, give someone you love the gift of laughter and treat yourself now to a great & entertaining book!

- Mr.UBG (UrbanBridgez.com)


Beyonce' | Single Ladies/If I Were A Boy
Columbia/Music World

Beyonce haters, crawl out of your corners! The mighty bee has stung the crowds with her highly anticipated singles "Single Ladies" and "If I Were A Boy". The tracks weren't supposed to go live until Friday but an early preview has listeners singing her praises. "Single Ladies", produced by Tricky Stewart and The Dream is the fun, frisky urban track dealing with commitment. She doesn't want you to buy her love, she wants more! One of the stand out lines from the track "If you liked it, you shoulda put a ring on it" will definitely have the brothas raising those eyebrows. Go Beyonce!

"If I Were A Boy", produced by singer/songwriter Toby Cadd, is an awesome ballad where Beyonce wants understand the emotions of a man. It might seem strange to some, but in order to grasp what she's going for...you have to sit down and LISTEN. This is very pop-heavy tune that will instantly do great at pop radio. Go Beyonce!

- Dhaani (UrbanBridgez.com)


Ne-Yo | Year of the Gentleman
Def Jam

I have to admit, I have the tendency to write reviews too quickly after I have heard an album and I'll write my initial feelings, which end up being completley different over time after the album has sunken in and I've gotten a better feel for it. So it's a good thing I waited almost two weeks to write my review of Ne-Yo's third album Year of the Gentleman, allowing ample time for me to decide how I feel about it.

Now I am a big Ne-Yo fan. The man is incredibly talented and I like him a great deal, and as a result, I expect a great deal from him. My review of his last album, 2007's Because of You was very critical- I enjoyed it, but I expected more from him (you can find this review by clicking the Music Reviews tab at the bottom of this post). The man is capable of so much, and at this point, it is imperative that with each album he is growing substantially. The Because of You album was good, but I needed it to be great.

Well, I'm pleased to say that with Year of the Gentleman, Ne-Yo HAS taken a giant creative leap forward, delivering what is by far his best album to date. The lead single, the R&B meets euro-pop inspired "Closer," has gradually turned into a massive hit after a bit of a slow start. I must admit when I originally heard this track, I was a bit nervous for Ne-Yo. I knew I liked it, but would audiences be as receptive. The track was clearly a summer club track, and well... Ne-Yo doesn't dance... very well... at all. When "Closer" was originally released, it took FOREVER for it to start to grow, and the album release date was consquently pushed back several times, and I became more worried for Ne-Yo.

Luckily, audiences got it, and "Closer" became a smash, which was followed up by the resectin-the-ladies-style second single "Miss Independent." Despite (somewhat awkwardly) biting the Kelly Clarkson song title, "Miss Independent" is irresistable and poised to become an even bigger hit. So singles-wise, Ne-Yo is in great shape and should sell fine. But what about the rest of the album? It's fantastic. If you know even very little about Ne-Yo, you know to expect at least a couple Off The Wall-era Michael Jackson-inspired tunes... and Ne-Yo gets right to it on the second track with "Nobody." But what makes this album different from his previous efforts is that there is so much more than that this time. Ne-Yo brings the pop-goodness with the Polow Da Don-produced "Single," which is my current guilty pleasure (there is also a version of this song recorded by New Kids on the Block that's actually their second single... and it's not nearly as good as the Ne-Yo only version). Just the opening line "If you came here by yourseeeeeeeeeeeeeeelf toniiiiiiiiiiiight..." is likely to be stuck in your head for weeks. It's currently stuck in mine.

Around this point listening, you're thinking, "Wait a SECOND, where are the classic Ne-Yo slow jams like "So Sick" and "Do You?" But then "Mad" arrives just in the nick of time, a pretty piano-laced mid-tempo about weathering the rough patches in a relationship. It's these mid-tempo numbers that Ne-Yo is best, and clearly most comfortable at. Though I really do give him props for experimenting with all of these different sounds on this record. My favorite track, however, is the subtle yet brilliant "Fade Into the Background"- which epitomizes the R&B groove jam that you can just lay back and vibe to (think Mariah Carey "The Roof" or Kanye "Flashing Lights" or Boyz II Men feat LL "Hey Lover").

Now hang on, this is not a Ne-Yo love-fest. I on Ne-Yo, but only because I care. So here it comes. The second half of the album is not nearly as strong as the first (as usually is the case), and "Why Does She Stay" is a bit of a snoozer, misplaced right in the middle. Though the second half does contain some great jams, like "Part of the List" in which Ne-Yo delievers a surprisingly good vocal performence (for him), it does suffer from the all-too-common "Too Many Mid-Tempos In a Row" syndrome. A dramatic ballad or another hot dance track would have been welcome in the middle somewhere.

Additionally, Ne-Yo's strength is obviously his songwriting, because his vocals really are limited and though he can carry a melody rather beautifully, that's really all he has to offer. Which is why many of his songs are better suited for artists that can really blow and inject that necessary level of emotion- like Usher or Mary J. In addition, the Stargate-lead production can get a tad boring and tedious. (Sidenote: I love Stargate, but if they don't put down that fucking guitar soon I will make it a permenant part of their ears). This is something that really got to me on Ne-Yo's first two records, but a combination of Stargate stepping up their game and a few new producers jumping in the mix (Polow is a god-send in my book) take the production on this record to a higher level.

Ultimately, Ne-Yo delivered a truly solid R&B record with Year of the Gentleman that I am very pleased with, easily his best yet. Despite the hard time I give Ne-Yo, he really is leading the pack carrying the R&B torch forward as far as I'm concerned. It's refreshing to see some substance over style in mainstream R&B (cough cough CHRIS BROWN), and the man is truly innovative when it comes to songwriting structure and melodies. Chuck Arnold of People called Ne-Yo this decade's Babyface, and I agree, but I think Ne-Yo is capable of even bigger. The next album could be his masterpiece. He just might need to take a little more time working on it, rather than pump one out every year. But as far as this record is concerned, Year of the Gentleman is a classy piece of work.

Final Grade: A- Favorite Tracks: Fade Into the Background, Single, Miss Independent, Part of the List.

- Rory (UrbanBridgez.com)