Donell Jones - Life Goes On - Donell has always been a huge underground R&B singer/producer/songwriter. But with this classic album, he finally broke out into the mainstream more. He is still not a Mainstream R&B singer, because he doesnt generally make radio friendly R&B. He does the more laid back, grown and sexy R&B. Not Neo-Soul... definetly not Neo-Soul. I think thats a big part of the reason why he has never really been a big star is because people that don t know his music just assume that because hes not all over the radio because he makes Neo Soul/boring R&B. And hes definetly not Neo-Soul, he has the same contemparary R&B feel as artists like R. Kelly, or Usher. Donell just doesnt really make party music. But he has a very good voice, one of the best i have ever heard. He has a silky smooth voice that has a very strong accent to it. And he truley knows how to use his smooth vocals to his advantage. He really shows his true talent on the very emotional song Life Goes On where he serranades the story of his woman cheating on him while he was locked down. Its a classic song. Another great song is the summertime driving song Comeback which is just a very relaxing tune with very sweet vocals. And then there is the sexy baby making track Do U Wanna which is another great showcase of Donells talent. I mean its really a shame that an artist as good as Donell Jones doesnt get the attention or the credit he deserves, because he is better then 80% of the other R&B singers that are hogging the air time right now. Overall i have to say this is his best album, and in my opinion its a classic!Grade:A-
EXCELLENT - This CD is the best I ve heard in a long time. Although I was sleep on it when it first came out, I have promoted it as if I was getting paid. To this day I still bump it, and I even bought another copy recently. Donell, you gets mad love from me on this!!!
U Know What s Up! - He is like that and that is all that is needed to say.
Could ve been a Perfect 11 - I love Donell Jones music and I m a big fan of this CD -- minus the song Freakin U.It s not that it s a bad song, I just think it really doesn t fit the overall tone of love and lovemaking (Is he singing to that special lady or just an overnight wife? I choose the former) on this album. I find the other 11 songs to be absolutely beautiful. Freakin U is a track he could ve given to Jaheim.This album really is for true Donell fans ... those who can get into his Michael Jackson-like voice and see the brilliance of his songwriting and production skills (Otherwise, I think too many would listen to this LP and dislike it b/c it s not your typical Usher or Tyrese or Omarion or Chris Brown kind of R&B).DJ s not the dancer/showman/high energy type. He s got a more mellow, laid back style -- not something all music listeners are prepared to appreciate.That being said, everyone s doing Top Tracks listings.Here s My Order (Best to Second-Best though I really do LOVE all these songs):1)I m Hoping It s You -- 10/10, smooth vocals & excellent writing2)Comeback -- 10/10, sick, hypnotic beat3)You Know That I Love You -- 10/10, old school, soulful sound4)Where You Are (Where I Wanna Be --Part II) -- 9.5/10, excellent vocals5)Guilty By Suspicion -- 9/10, great storytelling, great writing6)Still -- 9/10, great production & appropriate, simple question ... Do you still believe in love?7)Life Goes On -- 9/10, Catchy beat, interesting writing (semiautobiographical tale?)8)Put Me Down -- 8.5/10, excellent pulsating, chilled out beat9)Gotta Get Her Outta My Head -- Dance beat accompanies another track with interesting story10)Do U Wanna -- 8/10, blazing laid back track11)Don t Leave -- 8/10, another blazing laid back trackLike I said, if Usher, Mario, Tyrese and Chris Brown are high on your R&B tastes list, this CD may be a little too mature and laid back for you.But, if you can get into Babyface, Raheem DeVaughn, Carl Thomas and Brian McKnight -- cats a notch below Joe, Maxwell and D Angelo vocally, but make up for it with a special something -- cop this DJ CD.You won t be sorry.
Life Goes On is a must have in any r&b collection! - Donell is easily 1 of my favourite s, all his albums have me listening to everysingle song, i could name every song if i was gonna say which were my favourite, but ill just name a couple of my favourites!, Do U Wanna Freakin U Don t Leave and I Hope It s You, the rest of the tracks are hot also!, the whole album together makes this one of the best albums in my collection!Cop Donell s first 2 releases also! and look out for Journey Of A Gemini which features his single Better Start Talking featuring Jermaine Dupri !