Customer Reviews

Makings of a Man

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Jaheim is back. Not that he ever left, but he's back with the same soulful voice. This is a great cd. Its a shame that he won't get as much publicity as usher and chris brown, simply because he can't/won't dance or he doesn't dance, he has the best voice in the industry next to brian mcknight. But at least the slightly older fans can appreciate his music. Go pick it up

Jaheim's back! I've been waiting for a while for this album to hit the set and I love it. I am a die hard R&B fan and to me Jaheim is one of those artists that can do no wrong. Its a shame because all of his albums have been wonderful. The only problem is Jaheim does not get the commercial success that he deserves. Not only is he gorgeous and has a style of his own, but he has a voice to die for. I just bought his lastest CD "Makings of a Man" and I haven't stop listening to it yet. Theres not to many albums where every song on it is bangin' put this one is. People need to stop sleeping on Jaheim and give him the recognition he deserves.

I own most of Jaheim's music and this man never releases a bad album. When he records an LP, he obviously brings his A-game because one can hear it in his voice: He is focused when he sings and he means every word he belts out. He is one of the best male artists of today, easily. Why? Foremost, because he has a beautiful tenor singing voice and knows just how to use it. He does not over-sing and he stays on key so well! "The Makings of A Man" is one of the best albums of 2007 because it is consistent and there are some great tunes on this album. Most of the songs are mid-tempo and about women and relationships. Also, there are twelve songs so the album is not too short and not lengthy either.

Jaheim will find some way to tell you that he is a reformed thug on each and every album. I know he is serious, but it's a little funny that he feels the need to continually remind us. This time, his thug story is found on "Life of A Thug." He exposes some of the malicious things he did during that juncture in his life, and if you listen closely, he was a pretty bad guy. This song is nicely produced; I particularly like the horns. Also, the hook gives it replay value. "She Ain't You" and "Voice of R&B" are great tracks. Vocally, he does a splendid job. The lyrics are meaningful, especially to Jaheim fanatics. He informs his listeners that he is very important to the genre of music called R&B, and he is. Keyshia Cole is my boo and she did well on "I've Changed", but that is one of the weakest songs on the album. The song is average at best. The hook isn't too good and neither are the lyrics or the production. Jaheim has included quite a few songs about his mother on his albums. Here, we have a song called "Back Together Again." This heartfelt number has an emotional Jaheim singing about how his parents are united in heaven. It's a lovely moment on the album.

I hope I have convinced you to pick this album up, download it from iTunes, do SOMETHING! I enjoyed it all the way through. Be advised, this is a laid back album. There aren't any dance tracks, just ballads and mid-tempos, but truly worth your time. 4 shining stars.

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "Just Don't Have a Clue"
2. "Back Together Again"
3. "Life of a Thug"
4. "What You Think of That"
5. "Lonely"

Jaheim has a voice that is incredible. I'm in my mid forties but I can still relate to his street talk, that is ever so present in most of his songs. I have this cd, and I love it, simple as that. My favorite is "Make a Wish".

See with Jaheim, ive noticed the man can not make bad music. Every album he has put out has been at least good, and excellent at his best. And that continues with Makings of A Man. I think Ja made a good choice in switching record labels and going to Atlantic, because at Warner he wasnt getting any promotion. This was the first time i had to go to 2 different stores to find the damn album, because they were sold out at the first store. Jaheim is a breath of fresh air in the state of R&B right now. Because most of the R&B being put out right now revolves around Sex, partying, and drugs. And some of that is ok in small doses but to make a whole album around that gets old real fast. But Ja knows how to balance his albums between Love & Sex. He doesnt over do it on this album, along with any of his other albums. But the biggest thing that i think helped him in the move to Atlantic, was that it introduced him to some new and better producers. This is the first time a Ja album has actually had a more contempary feel to it. Like the stellar Babyface written "Just Don't Get It", this is totally different than the Ja we are used to. This song totally sounds like it could be on the radio. Excellent track. Like on the R. Kelly produced "Hush" where Ja reminices about how he had an affair with his best friends girl. This album is alot different sounding than his previous albums, but its a good thing. While "Never" could possibly be played at weddings, he can still do songs that the thugs can feel to like "Life of a Thug". And the other thing that i really like about this album (This might sound weird), is that he released it in December. Which in my opinion is the perfect time for him to release an album because in winter, i always find myself listening to his albums. I dont know what it is but during the winter his music just does it for me when i am driving around. Not that during the summer or whatever i dont like him, but during the winter i always make sure to have at least one of his albums in the car with me at all times. I think it could be his just smooth but jagged vocals that just warms the air during the winter that makes his music so attractive during the winter season. And we all know Ja can blow, unless you are new to Ja, now is the perfect time to introduce yourself. And this album will be in heavy rotation for quite some time because it is just as good as his previous albums, if not better. Another hit for Jaheim... as usual!


Grade:
B+

I am not a big Jaheim fan and I fell in love with the album from the first track!!!!! He did alot of work on this project and that just shows that he is maturing as a artist. This album should not have been released the same day as Mary J. Blige...I think alot a people will sleep on this album and miss out on a "Grown Man's" sound.... The track "Never" is so beautiful. If you haven't picked this up...give a hint it will make a great x-mas gift.

Jahiem is the best i have found this cd to be excellent that is why this is my third