R. Kelly

R. Kelly

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 14, 1995)
• Original Release Date: November 14, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jive
• ASIN: B00000053B
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,027 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

R. Kelly's third album indicates that he's got the range and the staying power of an R&B great. More importantly, it's the album where the libidinous stage persona of R. and his creator Robert finally come together, offering a glimpse of the man behind the libido. Kelly plays almost every instrument on the 16 tracks himself, delivering subtle variations of his laid-back rhythm and gently pulsing bass with lush walls of sound constructed from synthesized strings, keyboards and marimbas. At first listen, the melodies seem lazy and indistinct, but the hooks are sly and insidious, and they work their way into your subconscious. Kelly's voice is what keeps you coming back until they register. A sweet and supple instrument, it caresses the curves in the arrangements, stretching from a throaty whisper to an croon to a magnificent soaring wail. He's also made strides beyond the more misogynous impulses of the earlier records. Predecessors from Marvin Gaye to Prince have believed that there's nothing more spiritual than really great sex, and R. Kelly is makeout music that ranks with the very best. --Jim DeRogatis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars R. Kelly found his voice..., January 9, 2003

By	"essence_uk" (England, UK) - See all my reviews

This album in my opinion is R's finest of all. Sadly 1995's "R. Kelly" seems slept on (Due to a lack of real hit singles?), which is a damned shame as he never got as deep before or since. It is mature, beautifully orchestrated and he had now found his own vibe. "Born Into The 90s" and to a lesser extent "12 Play" were soaked with the influence of Guy's New Jack era material and although both (especially the later) had great chart friendly appeal, this album is his fully realised masterpiece.

Operating within the framework of a gospel themed intro and closure, R. is on best behaviour and there is little of the shallow, thug posturings that on occasion have hurt his recent releases like "R" and "TP-2.Com". There is a chilled, bumping flow throughout and this is no better exemplified than on probably my favourite R. Kelly track of all, "Down Low". The chemistry between R and Ronald Isley (Brother Ernie assisting on guitar) is beautiful to behold. A true epic, laid back jam. "Contagious" the sequel (On Isley Brothers' "Eternal" album) is equally excellent.

Other highlights to be found include "You Remind Me Of Something" with it's humourous metaphors and "(You To Be) Be Happy" which effortlessly works a Notorious BIG rap in. There's the usual quality bedroom ballad "Step In My Room", yet he ploughs a deeper grain with the exquisite "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)". "Hump Bounce" and "Thank God It's Friday" are prime relaxed, head nodders.

There's not a weak moment to be found and the LP's self titled moniker of "R. Kelly" surely comes from the work here being the ultimate personal statement of his artistic muse. Despite the relative inconsistency of subsequent efforts I'm sure he can sleep well, rest assured that in this album he produced a true work of class no matter what the future holds...

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The CD that made me feel in love with R. music...!!!, November 5, 2003

By	joshua (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

Oh this is the first album from R.Kelly that I have bought about 5 or 6 years ago and still I`m enjoyed like it`s still brand new. This is at first, one of the best albums I have listen to it (in addition with with his 2000 Classic "TP-2.Com" Album, THE BEST R&B ALBUM EVER MADE and his recent Classic "Chocolate Factory" Album).Every single song is amazing and beautiful. Its the type of album can make you very relax and for the moment made your problems dissapear. I love the way how Kellz managed to been singing about love making and about religious love for god and for life. My personal favorites here are: "Hump Bounce", "Not Gonna Hold", "You Remind Me Of Something", "Step In My Room", "Down Low(Nobody Has To Know)", "I Can`t Sleep Baby(If I)", "Thank God Its Friday", "Religious Love" and The Beautiful Gospel "Trade In My Life". In my opinion this is R.Kelly`s Second Best Album tied with "Chocolate Factory" and behind His Best Album "TP-2.Com". But I tell you to get this know even if you don`t like r&b you will loving it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very romantic, sensual, spiritual CD. IT IS WONDERFUL !., May 16, 2002

By	Jorge Cruz (Carolina, Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews

On this album R.Kelly proves his power of write, arrange and perfom better than ever.its that in this one contains more romantic R&B songs and less hip-hop. He also uses almost all the Instruments in this one. My favorites tracks are: HUMP BOUNCE(SMOOTH PARTY UP SONG), NOT GONNA HOLD (ABOUT RELANTIONSHIP),
YOU REMIND ME OF SOMETHING(RELAXING,SEXUAL AND HOT), STEP IN MY
ROOM(GREAT SWEET BALLAD),DOWN LOW(GREAT SLOW JAM duet with RONALD ISLEY),I CANT SLEEP BABY(THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TRACK ON THE ALBUM),THANK GOD IS FRIDAY (DANCE CLUB MUSIC)AND RELIGIOUS LOVE (VERY SPIRITUAL LOVING SONG). For me this ONE of his best albums. R.Kelly has proved this work and his next two, that he getting BETTER AND BETTER.GREAT JOB KELLY,KEEP YOUR HEAD UP NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS!. WELL I HOPE EVERYONE WILL ENJOY THIS CD A LOT. SO GO AND BUY IT NOW.