Artist: Jaheim
Album: Another Round
Release Date: 2.16.10
While the rest of his R&B counterparts are busy trying to get the ladies undressed, Jaheim has returned to the art of wooing on his new album Another Round. His fifth studio album is comprised mostly of slow jams and love songs that allow Jaheim to flex his husky yet silky velvet tone and make the “road less traveled” an enjoyable journey. The album has hints of 70’s funk and soul mixed with some smooth Motown sounds allowing it to transition from the club to the bedroom to the wedding chapel almost effortlessly. Another Round is one of Jaheim’s better projects, offering more “grown-folks” music and solidifying Jaheim as an R&B favorite.
The lead single Ain’t Leavin’ Without You, evokes a two-stepping rhythm that’s too infectious to resist and is followed up by one of the album’s favorites Finding My Way Back. As far as ballads go, Til It Happens To You is powerful and speaks far beyond a love song, it’s a dreamer’s anthem with an inspiring melody and a message of faith. Another Round picks up pace on the title track, which seems just slightly out of place on an album of mostly slower sensitive love songs. The undertones and production on Bed Is Listening is reminiscent of Jay-Z and Chrisette Michele’s earlier hit Lost One and is another attempt to keep the album current with the bass-thumping and sex talk. Tracks like Whoa and Her are more favorites that show Jaheim’s ability to keep the quality on the faster pace songs just as great as the slow jams. The album comes to a close with the new wedding anthem In My Hands, a beautifully emotive love ballad that calls to mind the Motown era of music, with a piano-driven melody and a sincere focus on the singer’s soaring and excellent vocals.
It’s hard to listen to this album and not think of some of the greats that came before Jaheim – namely Luther Vandross for content and Teddy Pendergrass for vocal tone and style. That’s not to say that Jaheim isn’t original, but it’s refreshing to hear an artist that can revive some of the greatest eras in R&B music but still be balanced enough to keep it current. Another Round is not without flaws (a la II Pink Lines), but it’s worth the listen for the simple fact that it’s a return to love.
Sound-Savvy rates Another Round with 3.5 out of 5 Platinum Headphones.
Mack you Da Maaaaaaan!!!!
Thanks, glad I could help!! Thanks for reading!
I have a question that has bothered me from the first time I heard “Ain’t leavin without you”.
The lead guitarist in the song plays a familiar type of solo rhythym on the track akin to the rhythyms of a sound I heard many years ago.
And to its credit the song blends this by gone rhythym into something fresh and new.
As an example when I first heard the smash hit” It’s so hot in here” immeadiately ” I feel like busting loose” came to mind.
My question is does the song “Not leaving without you” share some of the same guitar rifts and rhythyms from a previous artist or style?
I know I’ve heard it before but I cannot recall what artist song or group it originated from?
Any help in answering my question is greatly appreciated.
I think the guitar rifts and rhythms you’re referring to come from “Act Like You Know” by Fat Larry’s Band. Similar style on Heavy D & The Boyz song ‘Sex Wit You’. I hope this helps!