All I Feelby Anonymous
Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings
August 10, 2008:
At first, I didn't want to get this album when it came out in the spring. But I bought it in late July when on vacation in Orlando, Florida. The album is that good and demonstrates Ray J as a freestanding artist, eschewing the & quot Brandy's brother& quot tagline that has plagued him since his 1997 debut. The content is strong but the songs have a cool sexiness to them. Many numbers describe him being cheated or betrayed or even going after a former ex. The most telling is Boyfriend where Ray goes with a married woman, telling her husband that he's her boyfriend. It's like infidelity in reverse. But I like the song's '70s-styled groove, a rarity to come from producers the Trackmasters. A few cuts have smooth simmering grooves to match with the carnal themes that dominate the effort. Sexy Can I still sounds funky, but it is outmatched by a song with rapper The Game and another song that has funkier grooves and beats. Honestly, this album surprised me--this is a solid effort musically and Ray J's sounding much better vocally.