Happy People/U Saved Me

R. Kelly

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 24, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 24, 2004
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Jive
• ASIN: B0001VOHH0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (144 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,038 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

R. Kelly is arguably one of R&B's most productive minds in years and the Chicago native creates music at a pace that few artists in any genre could keep up with. "Happy People/U Saved Me" serves as Kelly's own personal "Best of Both Worlds"--highlighting both the singer's love for stepping (a Midwest-based dance craze) and need for salvation. "Happy People" is the more upbeat of the two discs with Kelly taking on the persona of the Weatherman, a DJ on the fictional LOVE radio station. The album's title track and lead single is a perfect introduction to its infectious sound. Similarly, the midtempo groove of "Red Carpet (Pause, Flash)" will have stepping experts and novices headed straight to the dance floor. While the recurring stepping theme quickly becomes repetitive, you can't help but groove all the way through.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for "U Saved Me." The message-heavy disc sacrifices Kelly's raw talent for melodrama. Songs like "I Surrender" and "Prayer Changes," while expressing a sincere sentiment about believing in something greater than yourself, are a little overwhelming. That said, this disc's title track is a rousing musical tale of overcoming obstacles with the help of God--complete with a rising choir. In the end, "Happy People/U Saved Me," like most double albums, has both its highs and lows. --Rashaun Hall

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You R. Kelly, August 24, 2004

By	C. Gray (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been looking forward to this album ever since I heard the Happy People single. The R promised a two disc album with one disc dedicated to stepping music, and the other dedicated to a spiritual vibe. All I can say is that he most certainly delivered the goods. I find this to be an amazing album. With each new project, Kelly rises to new levels. This is a mature feel-good album that can be played around people of all ages. I praise R. Kelly for providing music that doesn't offend, degrade, or serve to defeat those who are faced with socioloical limitations. Disc one is smooth, care free, and fun. Disc two is inspiring, insightful, and uplifting. This is an album that will mark a place in time for everyone who is drawn to the creative touch of one of the greatest R & B artists of this generation.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy People BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, August 24, 2004

By	Isabelle "R Kelly lover" (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

A journey to the dance floor and Heaven with Rob
you are the GREATEST Honey, There's nobody out there that provides so much inspiration and joyful music like you do!
You make my day everyday with your music.
Keep doing your thing man, you are tight!!!

My favorite tracks on this album are:

CD1: "IF", "Red Carpet", and "The greatest show on earth"
CD2: 3-way call (i almost cried), "Spirit", and "Diary of me" very deep songs.

You are the BEST R KELLY!

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There Are Two Sides to Every Human - Including R. Kelly., September 7, 2004

By	The Groove (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

R. Kelly's "Happy People/U Saved Me" is pretty straightforward in concept: one disc is filled with upbeat positive messages, and the other is inspirational, with themes of salvation, redemption, and faith. We'll start with the first disc, since that's the better of the two. On "Happy People," Kelly takes on the role of a DJ in the fictitious LOVE radio station. Here, we get songs like "Ladies Night," "If," and "Love Street," which all have hooks strong enough to sink Jaws. Easily, every other jam could be released as a single and has "hit" written all over it. On "U Saved Me," Kelly gets his praise on, serving up a platter of gospel-themed tunes that hold up, even when the disc occasionally has lyrics that resort to inspirational cliches we've all heard on Sunday mornings. Kelly Price, Kim Burrell, and Maurice Mahon join the big R on "3-Way Phone Call," one of the better songs on "You Saved Me," while Kelly also holds up on "I Surrender" and another favorite of mine, "Prayer Changes." Unfortunately, he does resort to melodrama on "Leap of faith," the disc's one true misfire. Still, the virtues outweigh the flaws, and "Happy People/U Saved Me" comes out a winner. His current troubles may make it difficult for some (myself included) to justify buying his records, but his latest double disc reminds us how talented R. Kelly really is.