Love Letter

Seduction and sex finally give way to a true love

Robert Sylvester Kelly known as R. Kelly to the whole world is going to celebrate forty-four years next month, and nobody can argue that he has reached some big heights by this age. First, he has given the world more than a dozen great records, to be more precise, he is releasing his seventeenth creation this year including all the compilations. Second, he has penned a great number of hits and produced more than one successful album often playing the role of collaborator. His colleagues would take part in his own works almost every time. Last but not least, R. Kelly has traveled really a lot and it was last year that he first performed for his fans in Africa, which the artist considers to be one of the most important events not only in his music career but in life as well. Releasing a great record Untitled six months before the outstanding tour, the singer soon got to work on his follow-up album – having no reasons to delay the new release he presents the album Love Letter this winter; seduction and sex finally give way to a true love on it, at least partially.

The album Love Letter is addressed to women

In order to avoid all the doubts concerning the album’s being addressed to women and telling about love (be it all his fans’ love for their idol or a concrete relationship) R. Kelly has written a lyrical introduction Love Letter (Prelude). One can make sure that his vocal skills have remained on the same high level and see what a romantic collection is about to be unveiled. The title song is a very beautiful and memorable R&B ballad refined with great tubes and a nice percussion, whereas the track Number One Hit conquers with a beautiful tune created by means of keyboards, a simple sample and orchestra elements. The singer’s voice sounds especially strong and sensual on such soul compositions as Radio Message and Just Can't Get Enough reminding of Donny Hathaway and Sam Cooke’s works, while the tracks Not Feelin' The Love and Taxi Cab with electro guitars, high notes in the mellow obviously witness Michael Jackson’s influence. One of the most interesting moments is the collaboration with K. Michelle Love Is – uniting the best traditions of soul and retro music this song has all chances to become a part of a romantic movie soundtrack and will surely make any romantic evening better. Another impressive number is Music Must Be A Lady, it is a real masterpiece in R. Kelly’s discography, a monumental orchestra hymn to music without which the singer cannot imagine his life as well as without women which as he is singing may be the same thing. The album closes with the most emotional soul-composition How Do I Tell Her?, its protagonist is indecisive to tell his beloved woman about his decision to go away, and the bonus track You Are Not Alone, the hit Robert once penned for Michael Jackson and today is devoting it to him.

R. Kelly has got his inspiration from real soul and pop legends

Taking into account the persistence and constancy with which R. Kelly would record albums dealing with sex, one cannot help being surprised at the turn he has taken on Love Letter. The tracks’ more deeply thought lyrics imply that the real feelings that appeared only in form of hints on the singer’s previous albums are close and understandable to Robert no less than to the stars who sing about them all their lives through. To make sure his love lyrics do not sound worse than the professionals in the sphere are able to make it sound R. Kelly has listened to their works before getting to the recording process. The fifteen tracks comprising Love Letter sound like classic love songs from the last century. It is not surprising since the artist has got his inspiration from real soul and pop legends such as Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, and Stevie Wonder. R. Kelly has been so absorbed with emotions that he has recorded not one but three albums, the other two of which, Zodiac and Epic, will see the light of the day very soon as well and will surely prove to be as impressive as the beautiful and harmonious Love Letter.