Album review: R. Kelly, 'Love Letter'
3 stars (out of 4)
Wearing a suit and bow tie, his head thrown back in sepia-toned ecstasy, R. Kelly evokes an old-school soul man on the cover of his 10th studio album, “Love Letter” (Jive).
It’s an unlikely look for Kelly, who has spent the last two decades churning out libido-on-overdrive odes to his twin muses: the bump and the grind. That tunnel vision has served him well, a quadruple threat singer-songwriter-producer-performer who has racked up 34 million sales.
Though he has also dabbled in self-empowerment anthems (“I Believe I Can Fly”) and his childhood love of Chicago-style dusties soul (“Step in the Name of Love”), “Love Letter” marks the first time he’s gone nearly an entire album sounding almost chaste. This is Kelly at his most earnest, reimagining the music that dominated his household while growing up on Chicago’s South Side in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
“I wanna bring the love songs back to the radio,” he sings on “Lost in Your Love,” and serves up a series of tributes to heroes past, a personal tour of soul history. He invokes Sade in the sensual sway of “Number One Hit”; channels Michael Jackson’s keening cries on “Not Feelin’ the Love”; the doo-wop of the Dells and Spaniels on “Radio Message,” right down to its a cappella finale; a Motown-style co-ed duet with K. Michelle on “Love Is”; Sam Cooke’s bring-it-on-home-to-me empathy on “How Do I Tell Her”; and the pleading desperation of Percy Sledge on “When A Woman Loves.”
He nods to the Marvin Gaye of “Let’s Get it On” as an obvious carnal influence in “Just Can’t Get Enough,” and veers into Kelly freak mode on “Taxi.” But for the most part Kelly forgoes the sing-songy minimalism that made him rich in favor of more developed melodies, fully orchestrated arrangements and lyrics that are as much spiritual as sexual.
Some listeners may question Kelly’s sincerity. His career has been built on over-the-top outrageousness, so how to buy Kelly as a suave soul crooner? The singer is nearly as well known for his legal troubles (he was acquitted of child pornography in 2008) as for his music.
Yet “Love Letter” is perhaps the most personal work of his career. These are the type of songs he’d sing when performing for pocket change on Chicago street corners and L platforms before he had a record deal. This style of music also meant everything to his late mother, whose record collection set Kelly on his path. “Love Letter” is as much an homage to her as it to the classic soul tracks she loved.
greg@gregkot.com
good review. I love this album.
Posted by: JohnQ | December 13, 2010 at 02:46 AM
Appreciate your review - I told my husband I can listen to this album again and again, except one song. He is really talented and he should get credit for releasing this one - great music and lyrics.
Posted by: B. Robinson | December 13, 2010 at 12:46 PM
good review. I think the album will be a success and I really like what I have heard so far. Can't wait to get it when it drops on the 14th. also, if anyone is interested in more info there are some good videos on Kell's site. http://bit.ly/gAKWld
Posted by: Joe | December 13, 2010 at 09:22 PM
Happy People is a family holiday anthem introduced to me by my brother. Thanks for tying up in this review in deference to R.Kelly's Mom. Sounds like a good album. Happy Holidays.
Posted by: Katie Bausler@+1 (907) 796-6295 | December 14, 2010 at 01:01 AM
R. Kelly IS STREAMING HIS ENTIRE NEW ALBUM "Love Letter"ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE! http://listn.to/rkelly
Posted by: T | December 14, 2010 at 04:18 PM
This is a great album to be released right around the holidays. I love it, I streamed it online on his facebook page and it's actually one of the best albums I've heard in a while
Posted by: Broms | December 14, 2010 at 04:57 PM
Yes, this album is wonderful. I have never purchased a cd of his, (not because I dont like him but because I dont usually buy entire cd's) I purchased this one. It's mature and I love it!
Posted by: CO | December 15, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Kudos on the review Greg. The one on SunTimes just sickened me. This appears to be honest and breaks it down for the most part. I would like to add that "Taxi Cab" is another nod to Michael as he is singing just like him. If you want throwback Rhythm and Blues with a modern twist this is for you. Although I said throwback one could argue that music is timeless so there really isn't a throwback
Posted by: Hudson | December 15, 2010 at 12:04 PM
I love this new album!!! I listen to it over and over. R. Kelly has done it again.
Posted by: Pam | December 16, 2010 at 01:09 PM
I purchase the CD today. I absolutely love it. This cd is for the grown folks. These are the sounds and beats that my mama would have listened to. As far as the album cover, BRILLANT - the Motown feel - 1950 & 1960 sway. The younger generation does think the Marvin Gayes of the music industry have sway but they created Gentleman-Like-Sway.
My favorites songs are: Love Letter, Radio Message, Love Is but the entire cd you can see Marvin and Tammy, Stevie, Otis. S-e-x-y Romantic Music is back. I felt like having a house party and slow dancing in the living room.
Good Job R Kelly!!
Posted by: Lady Tee | December 20, 2010 at 11:14 PM