Jagged Edge Albums (6)
What The Critics Say
After their fifth album, a self-titled 2006 release, Jagged Edge departed from Sony and landed back with Jermaine Dupri, who was quick to reclaim the group once he became president of Island Urban Music. As a title, Baby Makin' Project doesn't really do much to indicate that there will be much of a difference between its content and that of JE's past albums. There's a slightly higher percentage of ballads and midtempo songs, but for the most part, this is exactly what one should expect from the group by now -- not a masterpiece, but another strong addition to the catalog. As usual, even the middling material has replay value, saved by the sound of the members' four voices; few modern groups sound this good together. For the very first time, no MCs are featured (maybe they figured it could only go further downward after Jagged Edge's "Ass Hypnotic"); Ashanti is the lone guest, and she adds deeper appeal to "Put a Little Umph in It." ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
'Jagged Edge'
Release Date 1/1/2005
Tracks 15
Label Sony Urban Music/Columbia
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Released nearly three years after 2003's Hard, the fifth Jagged Edge album offers little change from what preceded it. One of the last groups you'd expect to depart from a long-established M.O., Jagged Edge seems willing to only adjust the balance of ballads and club-oriented tracks that make up their albums. It's hard to fault them for their lack of adventurousness when they've remained successful -- let alone together -- for a decade. The Casey twins remain in control on all of the material and wisely keep the few guest appearances low-key. The only real surprise is that the group doesn't turn strictly to rappers; on "Season's Change," they bring in John Legend, and while they work well with one another, the song is an obvious attempt to replicate the success of Legend's "Ordinary People." Jermaine Dupri, the man who gave the group its shot at stardom but eventually took his So So Def label to Virgin without Jagged Edge in tow, remains part of the family by collaborating on a pair of songs. Despite a slightly greater proportion of club-oriented tracks, this album is standard-issue Jagged Edge, which is enough to keep them rolling as steadily as they have for the past several years. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Jagged Edge seemed destined to assume Boyz II Men's place as the pre-eminent black male vocal group when its second album, 2000's J.E. Heartbreak, went double platinum. But 2001's Jagged Little Thrill did only half as much business, despite the presence on it of the group's most successful single, "Where the Party At," which topped the R&B chart and reached number three on the Hot 100. Maybe the problem was that that track, which featured a rap by Nelly, was more aggressive than most Jagged Edge songs and more identified with the guest star than the headliners. If so, Jagged Edge didn't repeat the mistake with their fourth album, Hard. This time, the leadoff single, released months ahead of the full-length disc and rising in the R&B Top Ten and the pop Top 40 as the album appeared, is the more characteristic ballad "Walked Outta Heaven." It's a good calling card for the collection, which as usual is full of slow-tempo love songs anchored by synthetic bass beats that will test the capacity of woofers and filled with involved group vocal choruses set against pleading solo lead lines that weave in and out. Jermaine Dupri, the group's musical guru, has pulled back from deep involvement in the writing and producing, leaving those duties largely to Bryan-Michael Cox, Sick Cents Productions, Inc., and Melvin Coleman, who allow group members Brandon and Brian Casey to write the romantic lyrics and provide all the other musical elements. For variation, reggae rapper Major Damage toasts over "Girls Gone Wild," and Big Boi from OutKast raps on the bonus track "Car Show." But for the most part, it's the four singers themselves who dominate. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Jagged Edge broke through from modest commercial success to star status with their second album, J.E. Heartbreak, which threw off three major hits and sold in the millions. The task for the follow-up, of course, is to keep the momentum going. The group and producer Jermaine Dupri deliberately previewed the album with a mid-tempo dance track, "Where the Party At," featuring rapper Nelly, which was bulleting up the charts when the album was released. It effectively countered the group's image, based on its massive hit "Let's Get Married," as a ballad-heavy, domestically minded outfit, the sort of people not much interested in finding out where the party is at. But the album reaffirms that image, with only a few exceptions. All of Jagged Edge's lyrics are written by twin brothers Brendan and Brian Casey, despite the inclusion of guest rappers on four tracks. (As on the previous album, the more edgy raps have had their vulgarities clipped; wouldn't it have made more sense to ask the rappers to curb their language upfront?) And the Casey brothers are very concerned with promoting responsible behavior among their male peers. Dupri has pushed their more prescriptive sentiments to the end of the album (while making sure the few mid-tempo and up-tempo tracks are near the start), but it is these songs that really define Jagged Edge's viewpoint. On "This Goes Out," the Caseys proclaim tolerance for dodgy actions taken to make ends meet and support children, but they draw the line on "Respect," which preaches against domestic violence. Then, on "Hero of Household," they make clear that it's the man who's supposed to wear the pants in the family: "There's gotta be a leader, and that's me." Such sentiments may not please the women otherwise attracted by the group's call for "Responsibility." ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A Bone Thugs-n-Harmony with more polish to their harmonies and fewer rough edges image-wise, Jagged Edge performs well on their debut album, getting into the groove on singles "The Way That You Talk" and "Gotta Be," each of which is impeccably produced by Jermaine Dupri. There are a few songs that don't work at all on A Jagged Era, but for the most part, the quartet sounds interesting. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
