R. Kelly - Happy People/U Saved Me
|
Our Price: $19.98 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $1.89 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Happy People/U Saved Me
Free Music Review: Good but the songs can become redundant
Hit: 3 Stars
R. Kelly released two albums, Happy People and U Saved Me, so here are my views on both.
R. Kelly - Happy People (Jive, 2004)
This album capitalizes on the "stepping" dance craze that's popular in the Midwest, moer specifically his hometown, Chicago. But if you're not from the Midwest, you'll probably think that this album sounds like a lot of "Step in the Name of Love" remixes. The title track is the highlight here and most of the other tracks follow the same formula (some even use the same beat). "If I Could Make the World Dance" and the ballad "The Greatest Show on Earth" break up the sameness nicely. Happy People is designed more to play for a stepping party than to listen at home. -EJR
R. Kelly - U Saved Me (Jive, 2004)
U Saved Me shows R.'s spiritual side. Things start off interestingly with "3-Way Phone Call" (featuring Kelly Price and Kim Burrell). This sung conversation between all of them contains moving lyrics but if you recall past R. Kelly-penned "conversational songs" like The Isley Brothers' "Contagious", "Busted", Kelly Price's "Friend of Mine" remix or Nivea's "Laundromat", this may sound like a tired gimmick. The title track is the best song as R. plays three different people giving their testimonies; unfortunately, "Prayer Changes" sounds more like "U Saved Me Part II". While the rest of the tracks run tepidly, "Spirit" becomes the only other highlight. -EJR
Conclusion: While neither album is better or worse than the other and while no song is weak, both albums feel formulaic because of the same songs being heard over and over again. More themes or even trimming down to a single disc would make this release stronger. R. Kelly's last double-album, 1998's R., suffered from repetition and this one is no different.
Free Music Review: R. Kelly is tha man!
Hit: 4 Stars
R. Kelly has once again done his thing bringing great R&B music to the forefront of the music scene. True this album doesn't bring any stunning R&B or gospel innovations, but it is a solid album. Minor things keep this from being even better with many references back to songs on his previous LP "Chocolate Factor" via lyrics (once again Kelly tells us to "Step in the Name of Love")as well as the drum programming and overall feel of the songs. One thing missing from this double release is Kelly's normal heightened look at sexuality (per some songs from "Chocolate Factory", yet more so from "TP-2.Com" and earlier releases). Hits from "Happy People" include "Weatherman", "Love Signals", "Red Carpet (Pause, Flash", "The Greatest Show on Earth", and of course the title track, "Happy People". From "U Saved Me", there are the hits "3 Way Phone Call", "U Saved Me", and "Prayer Changes" among other great selections on both albums. 4 stars, and keep doin' your thing R! Free Music Review: Happy People/U Saved Me Reviewed
Hit: 3 Stars
This double cd set from R. Kelly is missing some key ingredients. First off, the Happy People cd finds very repetitive beats. The first single "Happy People" picks up where "Step In The Name Of Love" left off from the Chocolate Factory cd. That's fine but to dedicate an entire cd to step music is a bit much. Aside from "Love Street" and "If I Could Make The World Dance," the rest of the Happy People cd all sounds like extentions of the previous songs.
The U Saved Me cd is somewhat uplifting. Stand out tracks include the head bopping "Peace", "Prayer Changes", "Spirit" and "Leap Of Faith." The rest of the inspirational cd didn't do too much for me.
It's not a bad collection of music but additional song topics would allow for the listener to not be so bored after a few selections. But as one reviewer said this collection is reminiscent of Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key Of Life is a stretch. The only things that would allow me to agree with that comparison is the fact that both releases are 2 cd sets. The other is that R. Kelly has a throwback Stevie Wonder/Donny Hathaway look on the cover. Hopefully R. Kelly will "STEP" up to the plate a little better next time he releases some music.
Free Music Review: Love Happy People /Could Do Without U Saved Me
Hit: 4 Stars
I am from Chicago (the home of the Stepper's) and I think R. Kelly did a great job with the Happy People side of this CD. Yes, the music is repetitive, but steppin music has to have a "certain" beat in order to be "stepping" music! Moreover, as I am adult in the same generation as R. Kelly, it was quite refreshing to hear him sing about something other than "feeling on yo booty" and "thoia thongs." Today's R&B has become so watered-down with lyrics consisting of nothing but my bling, my crib, my cars, my ho's. That's why
Scott/Badu/Hamilton/Stone/India.arie have (in my opionion) become the leaders of the new school of R&B/soul. R. Kelly is so talented and has the ability to write really beautiful music/songs. This CD is mature and it talks about love, commitment, positivity, healthy relationships, peace, and just everybody in general getting along. In this post 9/11 world, Bush-administration United States, we could all use some Happy People in the soundtracks of our lives!!!
I commend R. Kelly and hope that he continues to give some of his mature listeners more of the Happy People music. As for U Saved Me, R. Kelly can miss me with that. I love gospel music, but his CD just does not quite do it for me. I hear the message and again I commend him, but the music just does not do it for me. Hard to listen to a man singing about sticking his key in someone's ignition, then hearing him sing about prayer changing things.
Free Music Review: Not Your Everyday R. Kelly CD
Hit: 4 Stars
If you like songs like, "Fiesta Remix," the R.Kelly Cash Money Song, "Gangsta Girl," or "Ignition Remix" then Happy People/U Saved Me isn't the R. Kelly CD for you. The first CD, "Happy People" seems like one big song at times. This CD is strictly for the steppers as every song on here is a stepping song. The best song on the album in my opinion is "Ladies Night." If you are a young R. Kelly fan and have parents who grew up in the 70's and 80's your parents might like this album because R. Kelly really has the old school R&B sound going on with this album. The second CD, U Saved Me is like a gospel CD. The song with Kim Burrell and Kelly Price is like a phone call, and the song "U Saved Me," is very inspiring. But if you like hearing R. Kelly talk freaky or if you like the R Kelly that has a hip hop edge this CD isn't for you, wait for his next CD with Jay Z. However, for what it is, a stepping CD and a gospel CD it's very good.