It's real, honest (It's Real - K-Ci & JoJo)

Name: Lakerfanster

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Product:	It's Real - K-Ci & JoJo
Date:	20/07/08 (89 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great vocals.

Disadvantages: A couple of weaker tracks

**Introduction**

The second album from the Hailey brothers better known as KCI & JoJo, I have decided to review this album as I recently purchased it online and decided when I reviewed their greatest hits album that I would review all their albums in anticipation of their new album Love which will be out soon having only been released in Japan so far.

**It's Real**

It's Real was released on June 22, 1999 and was recorded between late 1998 and around April 1999. This album is probably their least known album as is doesnt have the singles that Love Always and X had. The album was released in 1999 two years after the debut album Love Always and the music on offer is in much the same style as before with a mix of slow ballads and uptempo hip hop tracks.

**Track listing**

1. Intro

This is a short gentle intro to the album with falsettos from both and then the short intro develops with their vocals as they start singing in their distinctive style. The acoustic guitar adds to the gentle feel of the intro.

2. Fee Fie Foe Fum

This is a sexy mid tempo track which contains no Englishman's blood but is about a man's sexuality, a very smooth track that was made for listening in the bedroom if you know what I mean. A very sensual track.

3. I Wanna Make Love To You

This is a sensual ode to a woman who you have feelings for and want to give them pleasure all night, A subject that had been done many times before but never gets tired when done right and this is one of those times that it is done right.

4. I Wanna Get To Know You

This is an uptempo track which doesnt quite hit the heights of the best tracks on the album but it is certainly very listenable and not a bad track. It just doesnt fit with the best on the album. It has a nice funky melody.

5. Hello Darlin

This is a lovely ballad which starts with gentle piano and is joined with soft drum beats every couple of seconds before the track gets into it's flow. This is a great ballad with both singers on top form vocally. One of the best tracks on the album.

6. How Long Must I Cry

Another great ballad, this time the piano is joined with soulful guitar and the vocals are more gentle in this track than the previous. This is a very emotional song that you should lie back and just listen to the lyrics. A brilliant track.

7. Makin' Me Say Goodbye

This ballad shows the difference in the vocal styles of the two brothers. KCI has a more Gospel style raspy tone to his voice and JoJo has a voice which sounds similar to Stevie Wonder when he errupts with his vocals. A brilliant track.

8. Tell Me It's Real

This is the first moment where they used vocoders in KCI & JoJo, this is a gentle track that shows how well their vocals flow. A very catchy track which is the best of the mid tempo ballads on the album. One of the best on the album.

9. Life

This is a very gospel tinged track with KCI sounding like he is conducting in a gospel choir. The beat however has a very hip hop style beat to it which gives the track a different spark. The backing vocals from mthe gospel choir are done very well indeed and make the song into a great one.

10. Girl

This is the most poppy track on the album and has a very catchy melody. Their vocals arent soaring in this track but they show a different texture to their voices and although not as good it is still a very good track.

11. What Am I Gonna Do

This has a feel on the early nineties and is the only song on the album that sounds like it could have been recorded in their time in the group Jodeci. Not quite as good as the rest on the album despite a nice catchy feel.

12. Here He Comes Again

This is a gentle ballad that is probably the weakest ballad on the album. It dosnt have that spark and emotion that the other ballads do on the album and it seems a little bit lost compared to the best ballads on It's Real.

13. Momma's Song

This is a tribute to their mother and how she has touched their lives. Not the best Mother's tribute song I have heard but surely one of the top ten I have ever heard. A really nice tribute to their mother. with features their vocals soaring.

14. All My Life

For some reason this also appears on this album aswell as their debut album Love Always. One of their classic ballads about wanting to spend all your life with someone you love. This is a beautiful song which is so beautifully done.

**Overall**

This is a very good album indeed which only has a couple of tracks that don't keep up to the rest's high standards. Some really good ballads are featured on It's Real and I am sure that this album was one of the best albums of the genre in 1999.

Summary: Great album,