even so, Chocolate Factory will go down in history as a solid and pleasing, if somewhat predictable, addition to the Chicagoan's catalog. One hopes that in the future, Kelly will come out with some more albums that are as challenging as R. Hearing Kelly and Isley side by side, listeners can easily see how Kelly is able to draw on Isley's influence while projecting a firm, recognizable identity of his own. Nonetheless, Kelly has always been his own man that is especially obvious when he features Ronald Isley on "Showdown" (not to be confused with the Isley Brothers' 1978 recording). All of those influences were noticeable on Kelly's '90s albums, and they are still noticeable on Chocolate Factory. Many of the influences that have served Kelly well on previous efforts continue to serve him well on this 2003 release influences that range from the Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder to Prince, Babyface, and hip-hop. But that doesn't mean Chocolate Factory is without merit what it lacks in ambition, it makes up for in terms of quality and craftsmanship. which is arguably Kelly's best, most essential release despite its own imperfections - Chocolate Factory, like 2000s TP-2.Com, tends to play it safe. Emphasizing romantic slow jams, and not as ambitious or risk-taking as 1998's R. All those scandals have, at times, overshadowed his music, which is regrettable because Chocolate Factory has a lot going for it. In addition to being hit with 21 counts of child pornography in Chicago and 12 more in Polk County, FL, the beleaguered singer/producer faced various sex-related civil suits. Kelly was hardly a stranger to controversy in the early 2000s. But as a singer, songwriter and producer, he’s at the top of his game.Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs. Factory‘s title track bounces on a hypnotic pulse and an instantly memorable hook, while “You Made Me Love You” borrows a guitar lick - and a deep Southern churchiness - from Al Green’s “Love and Happiness.” It remains to be seen if Kelly can regain his chart-busting status - or even salvage his career. The singer has backed off some of his porn-fantasy corniness and eased into a confident, soulful groove that runs consistently through the album and its equally appealing six-song bonus CD, Loveland. That’s too bad, because Chocolate Factory ranks among the best work of his career. Kelly’s problems start less than thirty seconds into Chocolate Factory, when he coos, “Anything you want/You just come to daddy.” From other R&B lovemen, that would be boilerplate pillow talk, but allegations of participating in child pornography against Kelly provide a distorting filter through which his music will be heard for years to come.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |