R&B Album Swap
 

I had this idea of starting up like a weekly album swap/exchange for R&B albums. I know we don't have many R&B listeners on MB so it might just be Sugar and I going back and forth with it but that's fine. Anyone that wants to join in is more than welcome to.

I'm going to start off this exchange with Anthony Hamilton




I'm okay with including Neo-Soul, Soul and R&B in this exchange.

Previous albums discussed. If you join later on in the thread you can listen to these albums at your leisure but the one that we are discussing is listed under current.

1st Album: Anthony Hamilton - Coming From Where I'm From
2nd Album: Lyfe Jennings - The Phoenix
3rd Album: Aaliyah - Aaliyah
4th Album: Toni Braxton - S/t
5th Album: Toni Braxton - This Heat
6th Album: Robin Thick - Blurred Lines
7th Album: Janet Jackson - Velvet Rope
8th Album: Curtis Mayfield - S/t
9th Album: D'Angelo - Brown Sugar
10th Album: John Legend - Get Lifted
11th Album: Raheem DeVaughn - The Love Experience
12th Album: Jill Scott - Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2
13th Album: Brandy - S/t
14th Album: Monica - The Boy Is Mine
15th Album: Michael Jackson- Invincible
16th Album: TGT- Three Kings
17th Album: Jamie Fox- Unpredictable
18th Album: Ashanti - Ashanti
19th Album: Mary J Blige- My Life
Current Album: Mýa - Mýa

SO HERE FOR THIScaps

Okay, now it's your turn Sugar to pick the album for us to listen to over the next week. Did you want to keep it at an album each week or do you feel like two week span would be a little more lenient before reporting back your thoughts?

My aunt loves to listen to Anthony Hamilton so I figured that I would have us listen to his second album. I have heard some of the songs on this album but never the album by itself on the whole. This is one of those albums that I found myself keep returning to over the span of the week whenever I was in the mood for it. This is definitely a keeper. My favorite tracks are "Mama Knew Love", "I'm A Mess" and "Coming Where I'm From".

HAY. So I finally listened to the album, I'm so sorry.
I feel like two weeks would be best just because I feel like I'm always busy!!

I think the album overall was really nice. His voice is amazing! Absolutely great!
There were some songs, though, that were just too mellow for me!
Some other ones were perfect and I can definitely see myself listening to them again.

Mama Knew Love and Cornbread, Fish, and Collared Greens were my two favorites. They were great openings for the album. I think I was less impressed as the album went on. Sometimes songs sounded too similar and other times his voice sounded too similar in certain songs.

He does have a great voice though, overall!

I have no idea what album to pick next!

Yeah, two weeks will work. I don't mind that.

Also, if you can't think of one. I can suggest another one for us to listen to and then maybe in two weeks you'll figure out one we can listen to.

I'll wait for you to see if it's okay before suggesting another.

That's just fine!

Remember this guy? Lyfe Jennings? So hard to just pick one album from him. his first two are very good but we will go with the second album.

Awesome! I'll let you know what I think! :D

Good album my favourite was "Goodbye". I thought the album reminded me of bit of Syleena Johnson's "Chapter 3: The Flesh" and R. Kelly's "R." album.

Okay so I was bored at work and ended up listening to the whole album just now. I'm not a fan. There were some songs I MIGHT listen to again, but none I was sooo in love with. I'm also just not a fan of his voice in all of the songs. Some of them needed something deeper, sometimes he just doesn't do it for me. Here's what I thought:

http://covers1.img-themusic-world.info/000/7/7340.jpg


"Slow Down" - Super "city" for me. I can imagine hearing it while driving in the bronx. I probably wouldn't listen to it again, though, I just didn't like it much. Nothing to hang on to.


"Goodbye" - I really liked this song. It was sad and emotional but I couldn't turn it off. So real.

"Let's Stay Together" - Also very real, classes R&B song, I thought. Sounded like so many other songs I listen to and I liked it.

"Biggie Nigga" - I didn't think I would like this song at first, but I ended up enjoying it.

"Ghetto Superman" - Too generic, just not my thing.

"S.E.X." (featuring LaLa Brown) - LOVED LaLa's part, her voice was good and her part was just good overall. I liked this song.

"Down Here, Up There" - This was really emotional and I loved it. It was real talk and it just hit me hard. Especially with the recent tragedy in Florida.

"The River" - Idk. That's what I wrote when listening to the song so, I guess it wasn't my thing. Sounded pretty good at first but I wasn't feeling it.

"Still Here" (featuring Three 6 Mafia & Project Pat) - Not my kind of music but definitely soulful.

"More Than a Girl" - Generic

"Stingy" - Dramatic and what the hell was with that guitar transition at the beginning?

"Radio" - I actually didn't get to hear this song.

"Keep Ya Head Up" - Generic and preachy but I liked the idea of it.

"I'll Always Love You" - nah.

Overall, I just wasn't a fan. I think the only songs I would listen to again would be "Goodbye" but only if I was sad, "S.E.X." but not too many times, and "Down Here, Up There" because I really did like that song a lot.

That's pretty much it. Sorry. :[

Yeah, I listened to the album back to back three times in a row to try to get a grasp on what I was hearing and what I thought about it.

I'll give you a slight run down of it later on.

Do we want to go two weeks without an album or maybe this coming Monday listen to a different one. I have a really good one lined up next.

We can just go this week since we've both listened to it this time.

Overall Lyfe's The Phoenix started off well enough and I didn't mind the little story interludes but after awhile they just became annoying.

I loved Slow Down and Goodbye but I hated the song afterwards. You just said goodbye and was ready to move on then you change your mind and say let's work it out? **** that mentality. I ended up skipping over Let's Stay Together on repeated plays.

Biggie Nigga was also better than I expected and S.E.X. is probably my favorite track off of the album. I remember when it was a big single and loved it back then as well.

It ends up kind of blurring together near the end but I happened to love Keep Ya Head Up. I like uplifting tracks like that.


Moving right along. The next album we are going to take a look at is.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

also i felt the same way about the album before but
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS

Listening now. I'm so excited that you picked this.

also R.I.P. queen. <3

lol told you I had a really good one lined up.

Yeah but I'm so excited about this one. Listening to it now!

Getting me through work!

So here's my review. Honestly, I was a little bit biased because I fricken love Aaliyah and everything about her, so even if I hated a song, I still loved it.

"We Need a Resolution" (featuring Timbaland), "Rock the Boat", "More Than a Woman", and "I Care 4 U" are obviously amazing. I LOVE "I Care 4 U" and listened to it more than once while I was doing my album run-through. It's just SUCHHHH a good song. The others are my jams, I have nothing bad to say about them and I will listen to them forever.

"Loose Rap" (featuring Static) had a really eerie feeling. I loved it anyway but I wouldn't jam to it.

"Read Between the Lines" is definitely a car jam, I love it.

"I Refuse" is amazing and I loved that song. Strength and saying "NO" are two things I love in a good song. :love: "It's Whatever" was a good song. I just wrote "yes" next to it, so I mean... whatever. lol. Same with "I Can Be"

"Never No More", "Extra Smooth", were not my faves.

"Those Were the Days, "Messed Up", "U Got Nerve" "What If" were either messy or just not my thang.

I'm listening to the songs I love over again. They are just so good. Her voice is perfect.

Between this swap and other recs. I end up listening to some polarizing stuff while I'm at the gym but I didn't mind hearing Aaliyah's sweet voice while working out.

It also sent me through nostalgia trips when certain songs would come on.

Aww that makes me sad that you don't like Extra Smooth. When it came on I was like wtf I remember playing the hell out of this track.

Loose Rap was always a skippable track for me but I forced myself to listen to it and yeah I remember why I always skipped over it.

Read Between The Lines is definitely my jam and it hit that nostalgia honey pot very well.

I remember this album pretty solid throughout and even though I liked more of the tracks near the beginning. It held my attention/interest all the way through. When I got to the end of the album I just ended up taking it all in and realizing that she was soo good at what she did and it's sad that she passed away so early. I'm definitely going to be playing this album over and over again for the next few days til I get tired of it.

Do you have an album you want to suggest for us to listen to now? lol If not, I'll post another one tomorrow.

It's funny you seemed to feel differently about the album than i did. I felt the same way you did about different songs, how they brought me back!

Anything Toni Braxton would be so great :D

Since we're taking it back already!

Okay let's do Toni next but let's do two albums for her. I want to listen to her self-titled because that's a MUST but I also want to hear an album of hers that I haven't heard so we will also check out The Heat.

Sounds good to me, super excited!

I will listen tomorrow at work! :D

If anyone wants to listen and not download the album (EVEN THOUGH YOU SHOULD HAVE IT CAUSE OMG IT'S TONI WTF), here's a link on YT.

Okay, I'm pretty sure this was my first time ever listening to The Heat as an album. I have heard certain singles off of it but not the album in full. My favorite will forever be "Spanish Guitar". I love that song so much. I have to admit though, after the first five or six tracks. I wasn't really feeling the rest of the album. Interest waned near the end of it. Those last couple of tracks didn't do a damn thing for me. I do have to make an exception for Fairy Tale. Also when I heard the title "Speaking in Tongues", I thought it was a track that I've heard before but upon listening to it. I realized that I'd never heard of it and it was just so so.


Her Self titled is just a classic and a must have for everyone. I can't get enough of it. There are probably one or two tracks somewhere in the middle that I'm pretty meh about but overall she makes a nice sexy sandwich by having strong tracks in the beginning and stronger tracks near the end to close it up.

Ohh, I forgot to post my review! I'll do it during lunch or something, probably, but I agree with you about the Heat album! I couldn't even completely get through it.

I adore her so much, but it just wasn't my favorite album.

Toni's Self Titled Album will always be one of my faves.


"Another Sad Love Song" and "Breathe Again" are such classics.
And the other album just kind of fizzled out for me. "He Wasn't Man Enough" and "Spanish Guitar" are always going to be great songs, though.

Overall I still adore Toni forev and will listen to her Self-Titled all of the way through.

Toni's Self Titled Album have my favorite Songs of hers on it although Secrets is my favorite album from her.
Of Course i love her break out hit Singles from the album and the rest of the album was a good listen

Toni's The Heat definitely not her best but as stated Did Have 2 gems same ones aww sugar stated. As for the rest of the album just sounded like album filler nothing much to them and pretty forgettable. I'm also not to fond of the instrumental pattern direction she use for this album didn't feel like her voice quite mashed with it

Let's do Blurred Lines next because as I hate to admit it. The song and Robin Thicke is the hot ticket this summer. The song is on many people's song of the summer lists. This is the deluxe edition. Try to see if you can get that one.

Ew I hate that song but I'll try the album.

yes I hate the song as well but give the album a go. You'll be surprised.

I really adore Robin Thicke and I am happy with his success.

I wasnt really feeling "Blurred Lines" off first listen but after hearing it for the millionth time it is pretty catchy (because of the Marvin Gaye Got to Give It Up sample and the MJ Dont Stop Till You Get Enough sample where they took MJ's "whooaaaa" in the background lol) but still not one of my favs from him. I LOVE For the Rest Of My Life, Good Life, Top Of The World, Ooo La La though. He has alot of good potential dance cuts on there that sound really good such as Aint No Hat 4 That, Get In My Way, Give It 2 U>>>> Kendrick killed his verse on the song. Its a pretty strong album. Robin never fails to impresses. Each of the songs sound different and are creative. Very good album and Im going to pick it up soon.


I know I am a little late but I am going to quicky review the other albums that have been discussed already.

Toni Braxton-Self Titled album
I am a big Toni Braxton fan. She is such an amazing singer and her debut is a CLASSIC. That is probaby my favorite album from her. Songs like You Mean The World To Me, Love Shoulda Brought You Home, Seven Whole Days, Another Sad Song and Breathe Again. Also, I just loved her look during that era. She was so beautiful with the short hair (she still iswith any hair style but I just really loved that style on her). This is a MUST have album

Anthony Hamilton- Coming From Where Im From
He is one of my favorite artists of this generation.This man is one of the most underrated R&B voices of this generation today. This man sings his heart out and makes you want to cry. He puts so much emotion in his singing and he has such a soulful voice. I think his voice is very unique because not only is it soulful but he has a unique raspy tone which I think works with the style of music that he makes. I really love this album from him which I feel was a very strong debut for him. My favorite song from the album is Coming From Where Im From, Charlene, Since I Sent' You, Mama Knew I Love, Cornbread, Fish and Collard Greens.

Aaliyah- Aaliyah
Ive always loved Aaliyah and its unfornate that she passed so young she had a promising career. I always wondered want the mainstream scene would be like if she had stayed alive. I think it would be alot different. I really love this album from the production, lyrics etc. This was Timbaland at his best and the great Static did his thing as well. This was a strong album. My favorite songs from the album are Loose Rap, Rock The Boat Whatever, I Care 4 U, Those Were The Days, You Got Nerve, What If, You Messed Up. I liked the electic sounds and genres that were experimented with. I need to buy this album again because it cracked :( RIP Aaliyah

Lyfe Jennings- Phoenix

Lyfe is cool but Im not a huge huge fan but I like him. I think he is a good singer but he needs stronger material. I like that he at least writes his music and plays an instrument. He has been through alot so glad he turned his life around.
Favorite tracks- S.E.X, Down Here, Up There, Still Here, Slow Down- is catchy and the production is nice but the lyrics are generic/cheesy

Next album review

Janet Jackson's 1997 album "The Velvet Rope"

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This is Janet Jackson's sixth studio album and is on record as her most personal album to date. Janet developed the concept of the album as she was stuggling with depression. Janet explained that "The Velvet Rope" is an allusion to individuals need to feel special. Janets offers audiences the opportunity to cross her velvet rope as well as their own. She covers a wide range of subjects such as sexuality, self esteem, homosexuality, depression, bi sexuality, domestic violence, social issues, and homophobia. Musically, the album blends, neo soul, electronic music, hip hop, and R&B. Janet also has a writing credit on all of the songs. I think this is her second best album from her catalogue. Its such a masterpiece from beginning to end and I love how vunerable and personal she was on it.



What do you guys think of the album and the era? I love the music videos for I Get Lonely, Together Again and Got Till Its Gone.

I guess we can review that. DJ usually decides.

I gave her permission to pick the next one. I've listened to Blurred Lines three times now. I just need to write up my thoughts on it.

Have we already finished discussion the Robin Thicke album? Like damn I haven't even listened to it yet, I was planning on listening to it at work tomorrow, give me a chance!

My review will be up this week.

Take your time. No need to feel rushed. Get to the Robin Thicke done whenever you get a chance to. We will also wait for your Janet one before we move on to another.

Oh sorry, didnt know you guys were still reviewing Robins album lol

What happened is that Justin Timberlake jacked Robin Thicke's normal style and mixed it with some other greats. So he went and changed up his sound a bit. I like that he has a variety of different styles on this album though. Some of it is more focused with electronica like most R&B nowadays. "Put Your Loving On Me" and "Give It To U" are definitely tracks I could hear JT putting out. This overall is a very solid album though I ended up hearting almost all the tracks except for the title track, pressure and the good life.

Take It Easy On Me, Aint No Hat For That, Get In My Way are quality dance tunes that I loved.

For Rest Of My Life touches on a ballad quality song that would be his normal style of his previous albums. The Good Life is also an excellent ballad. I don't know why I didn't favorite that track as well. I must've just missed my chance to while it was playing.

I'm thinking about picking up the album next time I'm at the mall to have a physical copy but I'm definitely going with the Deluxe Edition.

I actually like most of the album. I like all of the dance music. I could NOT listen to "The Good Life." It was far too corny, I had to skip it. I tried.

otherwise, some of his lines are really corny and all he talks about is sex and love but I guess the album is fine. I think I would listen to it again!

What did you guys think about "The Good Life"

Sorry if you already said something, I'll read everything later when I'm free again.
I'll listen to the next album today too.

Edit: Oh man, I see you both loved "The Good Life" lol. Still don't like it but maybe I'll try it again.

Good Life is a doo wop R&B song. Thats probably why you think it sounds "corny/cliche" lol I love doo wop so I instantly fell in love with it lol