Chapter 2: The Voice

1	The Voice/Intro 4:33
2	Faithful to You 3:30
3	Now That I Got You 3:37
4	Dear You 3:39
5	Guess What 3:32
6	I'm Gon' Cry 3:31
7	Is That You 4:30
8	Tonight I'm Gonna Let Go 3:54
9	If You Play Your Cards Right 6:01
10	No Words 3:46
11	So Willingly 3:46
12	Guitars of the Heart (Happy) 5:40
13	I Believe in Love 3:51
14	Outro 0:59
15	Tonight I'm Gonna Let Go / Spliff Star The Remix 4:18
16	[Untitled Hidden Track] 3:55

Barnes & Noble

On her second album, soul singer Syleena Johnson makes a concession to the slick sounds of contemporary pop radio: She remixed "Tonight I'm Gonna Let Go," which features Busta Rhymes rapping over the pulsating beat of his hit "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See." While the collaboration was a good career move, it relegates to the backseat Johnson's raspy, old-school, soul-nurtured vocals -- which, as the title suggests, could command center stage. The rest of Chapter 2: The Voice, however, better showcases the singer's sincerity, vulnerability, and bluesy chops. Unlike those of her contemporaries, Johnson's lyrics don't pander to hedonist frolic or offer juvenile interpretations of love. Rather, these songs find Johnson (who's the daughter of blues musician Syl "Take Me to the River" Johnson) trying to work out relationship drama (the R. Kelly-penned "Guess What," the hymnlike "I'm Gon' Cry") and cooing about the healing power of love (the acoustic guitar–anchored "Guitars of the Heart (Happy)," the uplifting "I Believe in Love"). Although her music may not be as radio friendly as Ashanti's or Alicia Keys's, in this fast-food climate of contemporary R&B, The Voice is a satisfying alternative for folks who like their soul slow cooked. Kimberly Burgess

All Music Guide

The fact that both Buddy Guy and R. Kelly made guest appearances on Syleena Johnson's 2001 release, Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness, is quite revealing -- it tells you that the Chicago-based singer has a connection to both the past (soul and the blues) and the present (urban contemporary and hip-hop). And that urban/neo-soul outlook continues to serve Johnson well on her generally excellent follow-up, Chapter 2: The Voice. Like Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Macy Gray, Jaguar Wright, and Jill Scott, Johnson obviously has a strong sense of history -- '60s and '70s soul have had a major impact on her gritty, rugged vocals, and she brings an impressive amount of blues feeling to her performances. Johnson's phrasing recalls '70s soul belters like Betty Wright and Millie Jackson, although the album's production is quite mindful of urban contemporary and hip-hop. So when all is said and done, tracks like "Tonight I'm Gonna Let Go" and "Faithful to You" acknowledge R&B's history without sounding dated or being totally retro. Johnson covers Alicia Myers' "If You Play Your Cards Right," and she does so without giving the impression that she's stuck in the past. Chapter 2: The Voice is soul music, but it's neo-soul music that is relevant to the urban contemporary scene of the early 2000s. And considering who her father is, Johnson's soulfulness is to be expected -- her father, after all, is Syl Johnson, who is a major soul heavyweight even though he was never as commercially successful as Al Green, Marvin Gaye, or Curtis Mayfield (which isn't to say that his small following isn't devoted and enthusiastic). One of the more substantial urban/neo-soul efforts of 2002, Chapter 2: The Voice gives Syl plenty of reason to be proud of his daughter. Alex Henderson

Vibe

Pleasing background vocals and production provide a sturdy, well-rounded backdrop to Johnson's shimmering delivery. 1/2 Laura Checkoway.

The Source

The Chicago-based singer-songwriter is fully grown and that maturity gives her sophomore CD, Chapter 2: The Voice, a substantive soul that's richly resonant. Amy Linden