The One

Frankie J.

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 22, 2005)
• Original Release Date: March 22, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0007OTWRG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,863 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's tempting to label ex-Kumbia Kings vocalist Frankie J as Latin pop's answer to Usher. Both have smooth, supple voices; both smartly co-mingle R&B, hip-hop and radio-ready grooves; and both young men have a fondness for hats. But whereas Usher has a penchant for showbiz showboating, Frankie J lets his talent take center stage. The One expands on the rhythmic flavor of Frankie J's 2003 solo debut, What's a Man to Do?, but it also positions him as something of a rarity these days: an un-ironic, legitimate male pop star. Every song on The One seems ripe for radio play. "How to Deal" and "Story of My Life" are alluring ballads; "Without You" and the title track (featuring 3LW) showcase slick urban grooves; and "On the Floor" is an unlikely highlight, beefed up by a smart sampling of Wham's '80s hit "Everything She Wants." Frankie J's regular-guy appeal and boyish charm shine throughout the album. The only misstep is including past hits "Don't Wanna Try" and "Suga Suga"; The One is solid enough to stand on its own. --Joey Guerra

Product Description

Frankie J made his mark with a four-year stint with the multi-platinum Mexican-American group, Kumbia Kings, before returning to his R&B roots with What's A Man To Do?, his 2003 debut solo album. Frankie's debut album spawned the bittersweet chart-topper "Don't Wanna Try," whose video was in heavy rotation on MTV's TRL. Now, two years after his solo debut and fresh off his hit collaboration with rapper Baby Bash, "Suga Suga," Frankie J builds on that momentum on "The One," his eagerly-awaited second solo album, which more than delivers on the promise of "What's A Man To Do?" Frankie's new album is pure unadulterated R&B, perfectly patterned for slow dancing with a special someone, immaculately tailored for the dance-floors of clubland, and dreamily suited for long, late, and lonely nights.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Album, July 28, 2005

By	Musac Critic - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Frankie J. has a very nice voice, and his voice is clearly suited for R&B music, period. He has a nice range and he always sounds good against the contemporary R&B backdrop in which the producers craft for him. At times, per many contemporary R&B artists, Frankie J.'s album grows a bit too contemporary. Also, there are too many references to Frankie J.'s name on a majority of the tracks.

My favorite tracks are "Obsession" feat. Baby Bash, The Spanish version, "The One", "How To Deal", and "Without You". Overall, this is an enjoyable listen all the way through with some less outstanding material. This album does fall short compared to Frankie J.'s major competition-- Usher. However, this is a strong album if not completely outstanding. This album falls somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic cd, August 19, 2005

By	W. Arnold "running girl" (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was genuinely impressed with this cd. I had heard of some of frankie j's songs... mainly the two featuring baby bash, so when I saw that this cd had both of those songs I decided to check it out. I'm so glad that I did. It really is a quality cd. Frankie J has a smooth voice and the music is fantastic. There are ballads and some songs that have urban themes to them. I definitely would recommend trying it out.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really good, but . . . missing a bit of Latin flavor that would set Frankie J. apart from the pack, December 14, 2005

By	LuaLua - See all my reviews

One has to admit that Frankie J. has a great voice, and his sophomore solo album offers songs to dance to and sing along with, not to mention lots of melodrama to please the prepubescent girls interested only in his good looks. What is more, because of Frankie J's legitimate soulful vocals, "The One" is able to do the pop thing without losing its R&B credibility. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the album was able to peak at #3 on the "Billboard 200" in April 2005.

Nevertheless, one thing is sorely missing from "The One". . . SPANISH. Excluding the chorus in Obsession (No Es Amor) and the Spanish version bonus track, this album is virtually devoid of any Latin flavor. That was a mistake. At the end of the day, Frankie J. (a Mexican immigrant) only has one advantage over all of the other great-looking, talented, R&B acts struggling to shatter (or cash in on) the reign of Usher and R. Kelly: Frankie J. is Latin.

Unlike most other artists, Frankie J. can sing and speak in Spanish, and he can make it sound believable and R&B. English speaking fans would eat that up. Plus, more Spanish would increase his airplay on the ever-more important Spanish formatted radio stations . . . in Los Angeles the only Frankie J. getting serious airplay is---not surprisingly---Obsession (No Es Amor) en español (oh, and Frankie's Spanish version of his remake of "More Than Words"). Just as the English speaking community is hungry for more Latin styles, the Spanish-speaking community is ready for some R&B flavor (as is evidenced by the popularity of the closest thing to R&B in Latin music---another Mexican singer, Kalimba).