Once Again

by

John Legend

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"Once Again", John's new album, is many things, chief among them, it's a pop/soul album fueled by intelligence, intuition, sensuality, spirit and a creativity made possible when which includes Raphael Saadiq, Kanye West, Craig Street and will.i.am, who brought the lead single, 'Save Room' to John.

Breezy and sexy, 'Save Room' is a joyful, cool love song, inspired by an old AM radio single, 'Stormy', by the Classics IV (a 60's Top 40 band best-known for 'Spooky').

Even more so than he did on 'Get Lifted', John went boldly in his own creative direction on 'Once Again', opting to write, not from a marketing standpoint, but from his heart and soul and personal experience.

Laced with a somewhat more dramatic flair is the mid-tempo 'Where Did My Baby Go'. John takes a somewhat political perspective on the stately 'Coming Home'.

Relationship ups and downs are the subject of the swaying Kanye West-produced 'Heaven Only Knows'.

'Show Me', which John cites as one of his favorites, is hushed, haunting and deliberately ambiguous (co-produced by Raphael Saadiq and Craig Street ).

Just as Kanye West tows hip-hop along a more cerebral path, so his protege (and fellow college boy) John Legend prefers master-crafted, soulful R&B to the bump, grind and glitter of his contemporaries.

Like his Grammy-winnning debut "Get Lifted", this impeccably produced follow-up runs a knowing gamut of styles and eras, taking in Motown, crooning, polished pop and even a hint of bossa nova.

You can forgive Legend's showtune and piano lounge moments for his gorgeous, lived-in voice. Whether whispering mournfully on 'Show Me' or giving it the come-hither purr on 'Slow Dance', it gently nudges the heart into submission.

There are always problems with a sophamore CD. The biggest problem with ONCE AGAIN is GET LIFTED...after that stunning CD, this was a hard act to follow and it did not quite make it. Mr Legend is, after collaborations with Kanye West, Sergio Mendes and his contribution to the Luther tribute album, this low profiled man had us all aquiver with anticipation, there are no collaborations here however. In the main this seems to be contemplative and personal. A man and his piano, apparently obsessed with Maxine. An honest and sweet CD. Stand out tracks are "Save Room", "Heaven" and "P.D.A (we just don't care)" are fine pieces, but no "Ordinary People". There is much to enjoy, but you are advised to take it on its own merits and try not to compare.