Ain't Nothin' Like Me

Ain't Nothin' Like Me is a solid collection of great R&B songs

Good music stands no rush. Facing his 33 Joe perfectly understands that it is better to spend some more time then usual and make one first-class disc than to release mediocre albums annually. It took him more than three years to record his new album Ain't Nothin' Like Me but the resulting material justifies this long break completely. Despite that fact that Joe offers nothing cardinally new (the album is based on the same manner and tones that Joe has established on his previous records) his sixth disc is a solid, ground shaking collection of great R&B songs. Joe's approach is simple – do the things you are best at, and this approach works. The album is simultaneously smooth, modern and sexy within reasonable limits; it is something one could call a classic of today's R&B. Joe is a true professional, he has 14 years of steady work in this genre behind him and he can compete with any R&B performer. Self-reliance, skills and talent – this is a recipe on which Ain't Nothin' Like Me is based.

Ain't Nothin' Like Me offers both great ballads and club tracks

It is pretty hard to find obvious faults on the album even if you really want it. First of all it is necessary to mention a production work. This is Joe's first album, which features such a number if good sound makers. Tim & Bob, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, The Underdogs, Cool & Dre, Timbaland, Bryan Michael Cox and Sean Garrett – all these people took part in the record sessions and this of course affected the sound only positively. All the songs can be divided into two parts: experimentally modern and lyrically-ballad. The brightest tracks of the first one are Get To Know Me – a mid tempo club song with Nas's rapping, the song sounds a little sad even despite its hot atmosphere. The album's leading single Where You At, which is the best song here indeed – beautiful arrangement, dense and low beat and Joe's first-class vocal. And probably Ain't Nothing Like Me. The balladry part's content is no worse. If I Was Your Man is worthy of a special attention, it is really beautiful, smooth and gentle and unlike many R&B ballads it features great beats. Anther masterpiece is Love Is Just A Game, there is no point in describing it, just listen. It is hard to say which of two parts turned out better, each one has its outstanding pieces, but nevertheless Joe sounds more natural on ballads.  

The album was recorded with a deep understanding of genre's rules

As it was said earlier the album is done on such a high level that it almost borders perfection. The songs, lyrics and production are made with a deep understanding of R&B genre and its rules. Every little thing here is measured. And what is especially significant the album sounds equally classic and modern. Hip Hop borrowings do not hurt the core stylistic but rather expand the borders of the genre. On a big scale the only misstep here is in the number of tracks or to be more precise in great number of ballads. There is no balance between club tracks and bedroom songs. While such songs as Ain't Nothing Like Me heat the air up, the smoothness of slow tracks that keep playing one by one relax you too much to take next dance track with appropriate vigor. However, this is just a remark, for some people this may be the best advantage of the album. Ain't Nothin' Like Me is aimed at the people in late 20's and early 30's, those who are sophisticated enough but still like to keep up on musical trends. Ain't Nothing Like Me is a confident, grown up music with a sexy implication and romantic atmosphere.