Makings of a Man

Jaheim | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 18, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B000XUOLO8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,291 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #70 in Music > Music Deals > More Titles at Least 25% Off

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Solid Album for Ja, December 20, 2007

By 

Michael Brent Faulkner, Jr. "Brent Faulkner" (Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Makings of a Man (Audio CD)

First of all, I consider Jaheim to be one of the standout male R&B singers of our time. Unfortunately for Ja, he hasn't found commercial success easily. Sure, GHETTO LOVE and STILL GHETTO went platinum, but it took time and airplay. Last year's GHETTO CLASSICS landed Jaheim in the top spot of the Billboard Chart yet it only went gold (and its chart stay was brief as well)and none of his excellent singles made a splash at radio. Sad considering "Everytime I Think About Her" and "The Chosen One" were both fine songs, among Jaheim's most soulful. This time around, Jaheim lands at Atlantic and the difference is noticeable. Sure, Jaheim sounds as refined yet soulful at the same time, but the production doesn't feel as bombastic or bright as it did on last year's GHETTO CLASSICS. It's not a bad thing, but despite this album being as consistent as any Jaheim album, it at times feels too safe and reserved. Vocally Jaheim is refined and never overdoes melisma, but you sometimes wish Jaheim would give just a bit more.

The material is overall fine, but a bit safe. The opening "Voice of R&B" has a nice vintage soul feel to it with the horns and 1970s feeling production. Jaheim still possesses his street-savvy persona here despite the soulful underlying production. On "Hush", Jaheim gets his R. Kelly on (literally), though it isn't a complete successin my eyes. Sure, Ja pulls it off pretty good, but I think Jaheim is better suited with soul-samples and vintage production work - nothing against Kells. It's not bad though, just different. "Have You Ever" and "Lonely" start to really heat things up while "Life of a Thug" truly brings the heat with its wah-wah clavinets, strings, and synthesized horn production.

"You Just Don't Get It" isn't bad, though the highlights that follow are incredible. "She Ain't You" is absolutely beautiful and is my personal favorite. "Never" is a bit subtle, but maybe it is the subtlety that makes it so great. Jaheim vocal control is phenomenal here. "I've Changed" features an as of late ubiquitous Keyshia Cole and proves to be solid as does "What You Think of That". "Make A Wish" and "Back Together Again" are solid as well, if not as exceptional as the aforementioned best ("Have You Ever", "Life of a Thug", "She Ain't You", "Never", and "You've Changed".

Overall, THE MAKINGS OF A MAN is Ja's fourth consistent effort. Again, the material is good but safe in a couple of cases. This isn't a bland effort, but it is even less ornate than GHETTO CLASSICS and there is no "Could It Be" this time around. With that said, there are enough solid numbers to make this album overall enjoyable. 4 stars Ja.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jaheim - The Makings of a Man...awesome!!, December 20, 2007

By 

gorjis1 - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Makings of a Man (Audio CD)

From the very first track, I knew THE MAKINGS OF A MAN was a classic creation! Jaheim has a stellar voice that creates a sexy atmosphere, and it makes you want to listen to him non-stop. Spread the word...Jaheim is back!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's been too long, December 17, 2007

By 

Ryan G. Weatherman "R&B Fan" (Fort Collins, CO.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Makings of a Man (Audio CD)

I gotta say, it's nice to have Ja back on the scene. It's been far too long since this man put some new material out. The first song on the album couldn't be more correct, what the game needs is a true voice of R&B. With Maxwell supposedly putting out some new stuff in the near future, and D'Angelo too busy smoking trees and not caring about putting out new music, Jaheim swoops in as the true voice of R&B. This man just knows how to lace a track with that true R&B sound. Solid effort by Jaheim.