K-Ci & JoJo Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
Perhaps compensating for the negativity rampant in the rap world, K-Ci & JoJo's fourth record, Emotional, is not only unrepentantly sincere and soulful, but also one of the duo's first to completely ignore the influence of hip-hop altogether. Such a level of devotion to R&B is impressive considering the success of so many rap crossovers on the charts; it's a testament to Cedric and Joel Hailey's deep respect for the smooth love jams they grew up with. K-Ci & JoJo's have amazing vocals and give sincere performances. The single, "This Very Moment," is a deeply felt performance of an uplifting song, a perfect selection for any contemporary wedding ceremony "Special" and "Down for Life" are also relationship songs with a power to melt the heart of any romantic in range. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
X is the Roman numeral for ten, and this late-2000 release is titled X because it marks Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey and Joel "JoJo" Hailey's tenth anniversary in the recording business -- first as two-thirds of the trio Jodeci, then as the duo K-Ci & JoJo. X, the duo's third album, isn't a radical departure from its two previous albums; like 1997's Love Always and 1999's double-platinum It's Real, this CD emphasizes romantic material and combines a high-tech urban contemporary production style with an appreciation of classic soul. K-Ci & Jo-Jo were never a carbon copy of Jodeci, and X won't be mistaken for Diary of a Mad Band. Though X contains a few hip-hop-minded, up-tempo selections (including "Game Face" and "Thug N U Thug N Me"), romantic ballads and slow jams are dominant. A few of the tunes are retro-soul gems -- especially "Wanna Do You Right" and the Bobby Womack-influenced "I Can't Find the Words" -- although most of the time, X is merely decent urban contemporary. One thing that's never in doubt is the Hailey Brothers' skills as vocalists; while a lot of urban contemporary artists get over on image alone, K-Ci & JoJo really do have impressive vocal ranges. X isn't a masterpiece, but unlike all of the urban artists who have nothing more than image and attitude going for them, the Hailey siblings bring some genuine talent to this generally pleasant, if predictable, CD. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
K-Ci & JoJo's first album Love Always established the Jodeci refugees as fine R&B vocalists, blending classic soul traditions with contemporary urban production and technique. Blessed with strong sales and good reviews, Love Always became a hit, setting up high expectations for the duo's second album, It's Real. For those expecting a flat-out masterpiece, It's Real will disappoint, primarily because it doesn't so much as expand on past glories as it simply replicates them. Since they're good singers with generally good material, this isn't a problem, even if it makes it all seem a little too pat and predictable. Occasionally, the Hailey brothers decide to rely a little bit too much on their impressive vocal technique, taking off on soaring glissanados that ultimately distract as much as they impress. That, combined with the stylistic similarity of the material, makes It's Real bog down a little bit, but the very best moments -- "Makin' Me Say Goodbye," "I Wanna Get to Know You," "How Long Must I Cry," "Hello Darlin'," among others -- are contemporary urban romantic soul at its finest, which is reason enough to hear the disc. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After becoming two of the best-known R&B singers of the 1990s as half of Jodeci, brothers K-Ci and JoJo Hailey formed a cohesive duo for Love Always. A definite surprise to Jodeci fans, the CD contains few traces of new jack swing and lacks the type of suggestive, R-rated lyrics the foursome had become known for. It was clear that the great soul music of the 1970s was very much on K-Ci & JoJo's minds when they made this album, an unpretentious collection of ballads and slow jams that isn't mind-blowing, but is definitely above average. In contrast to the homogenized nature of so much '90s R&B, things are refreshingly organic on such cuts as "Now and Forever," "Still Waiting," and "Baby Come Back." And an impressive cover of L.T.D.'s 1976 hit "Love Ballad" may very well be the best thing the Hailey brothers have ever done -- inside or outside of Jodeci. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
