Aijuswanaseing

1	Scratch Introlude 7:00
2	Girl Next Door / Ayana 0:46
3	You And Me 4:46
4	Just Friends (Sunny) 4:20
5	Mary Go Round 4:11
6	143 3:41
7	Love 4:57
8	My Girl 5:04
9	Musiq Soulchild (Interlude) 3:20
10	Seventeen 1:25
11	L' Is Gone 3:22
12	Speechless 3:20
13	Poparatzi 3:23
14	Settle for My Love (Intermission) / AAries 3:57
15	You Be Alright 5:40

Barnes & Noble

With the boundless harmonies and melodies of vintage Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway floating through his Afro-coiffed head, newcomer Musiq Soulchild summons the creative roots of '70s soul music. But like his neo-soul contemporaries D'Angelo and Lauryn Hill, Musiq gives the music of his forebears a new-jack twist on his debut, Aijuswanaseing. He cross-pollinates classic soul with a variety of sounds -- gospel on the spirited ballad "You Be Alright," hip-hop on "L' Is Gone," which includes a live band interpretation of the kick-drum driven beat of the Roots' "Next Movement," and jam-session funk on a remake of the Patrice Rushen classic "Settle for My Love." From the carefree lead single "Sunny (Just Friends)" (which appeared on the Nutty Professor II soundtrack) to the playful "Girl Next Door" -- which was cowritten by fellow Philadelphian Jill Scott -- the 23-year-old scores major points with the ladies with sweet sentiments such as "If there's anything that you want, you need/Don't be afraid to ask 'cause you're my girl." With Aijuswanaseing, Musiq not only honors the soulful good vibe of his favorites, he also contributes to the next wave of soul classics, which should in turn influence another generation of inspired musicians. Tracy E. Hopkins

All Music Guide

With his 2000 debut album, Aijuswanaseing (I Just Want to Sing), Musiq Soulchild is sure to make an indelible mark on the R&B soundscape. Aijuswanaseing is a remarkable collection of songs that successfully showcases Soulchild's vocal talent and versatility as he crisscrosses the analogous styles of R&B, soul, and rap. On the up-tempo track "Girl Next Door," the singer demonstrates the smooth, rich texture of his voice. "Girl Next Door" is a romantic exchange that features the vocal prowess of Ayana of the duo Aaries. Tracks like the confident and playful "Just Friends" and the indelibly funky "My Girl" pick up the pace of the album, suggesting the possibility for future dancefloor remixes. The somber, soul-searching track "Mary Go Round" and the earnest sentiments on "Love" display Musiq's mellow, sincere side. The slow-paced wonder quality of "143" echoes a snippet of the style of fellow soul sista Erykah Badu (not a surprise since Musiq lists her high on his list of influences). There is also an apparent hint of the likes of Soulchild's idol Stevie Wonder in the rhythmic finger-snapping beat and experimental vocal riffs on "143," serving as evidence that Soulchild's voice is strong enough to stand on its own. The album is a casual yet valiant excursion that mirrors the many faces of a model swooner: a calm, cool, and collected attitude, mixed with a light sense of humor and a healthy serving of poise, swank, and sensitivity. Aijuswanaseing paints an aural portrait of this model combination which is best brought to life on the slyly flirtatious "Just Friends (Sunny)," which is featured on the Nutty Professor II soundtrack (Universal, 2000). Aijuswanaseing is the perfect backdrop for an intimate candlelit evening or just a casual stroll on a sunny afternoon. Kerry L. Smith