Not enough Sweat (Keith Sweat - Keith Sweat)

Member Name: Lakerfanster

Product:	Keith Sweat - Keith Sweat
Date:	09/06/09 (54 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good ballads

Disadvantages: A few weak links

**Introduction**

After reading the first review of this album on Dooyoo courtesy of the excellent XICripZ I decided to give the album a listen and searched on google for the album. I was aware of Keith Sweat before the review through his solo career aswell as his time in the R&B trio LSG with Gerald Levert and Johnny Gill. After doing a little reading on Keith Sweat I was suprised to discover that his first album was released in 1987 and he had released a total of 11 solo albums to date.

**The album**

This self titled album from Keith Sweat was released in 1996 and features a number of collaborations, these include Ron Isley and Gerald Levert. The album features four singles, these are as follows Nobody, Twisted, Come with me and Just a touch. This album has proved to be his biggest selling album to date with sales over 5 million and reaching 5 on the US Billboard chart. Here's my review of the album.

1.) Twisted ft Pretty Russ & Kut Klose

This starts the album off with a laid back mid tempo R&B groove. As the drum beat moves along there's a nice gentle keyboard part which is subtle and works rather well. The addition of the smooth female backing vocals courtesy of Kut Klose add a nice touch and this is a solid if a little unexciting start to the album.

2.) Funky Dope Lovin' ft Gerald Levert, Aaron Hall & Buddy Banks

This is a funky slow track which has some nice backing sounds from the keys and drum loops. Once in full flow this is one of the best tracks on the album and the addition of Gerald Levert really works a treat as he shows his vocal range to good effect here. Good stuff.

3.) Yumi

This is a slower track than before and the synthesizers are used frequently on this particular track, It has a mid nineties feel and his voice sounds at his best on this track. This track shows that he has talent and hints at what he is capable off at his best.

4.) Whatever You Want

This continues the progression into the Ballads, This has a bedroom style with Sweat singing about how he is willing to give his woman what she wants in the bedroom. This is a sensual track which works quite well but is just short of being one of the best tracks on the album.

5.) Just A Touch

This brings the music from R&B balladry to New Jack Swing. This does not quite work and as a result is one of the weaker tracks on the album, His voice is not up to the best he can do and the sound is overall a little dated in my opinion.

6.) Freak With Me

This is a better track which leans away from The New Jack Swing influence into a more Hip Hop/Rap based style. As a result this track has a much better flow and is one of the more enjoyable up-tempo tracks on the album. There are elememts similar to a Montell Jordan type track.

7.) Natures Rising (Interlude)

8.) Come With Me

Now this is back to what he is best at, A sensual Love ballad, his vocals are deep and emotive and this is a great collaboration with the legendary Ron Isley from The Isley Brothers. This proves that he's more suited to the slow ballads than the more up-tempo tracks.

9.) In The Mood

This reminds me a little of R Kelly and a little of Ginuwine in the way that it's performed. This is one of the best tracks on the album and again shows that he is at his best with the ballads.

10.) Show Me The Way (Another Interlude)

11.) Nobody

This track features Athena Cage and is a sensual mid tempo ballad which has a hard beat which does not really sit with the feel of the song. It would have been better had it been a soft more taut beat than on offer here. A shame as it could have been good.

12.) Chocolate Girl

This is the closing track on the album and tells the story of a woman he is attracted to, A decent end to the album but the beat does not do it for me just like the previous track.

**Overall**

While there are some good ballads here I am afraid his talent is being obscured by some of the other tracks somewhat lesser quality. At his best he deserves respect in the genre but he is not at his best very often and his vocals can grate when the song is not up to the standard of his best work. This is a decent album but gets three stars from me instead of four due to the weaker mid to up-tempo tracks which are not that good. So summing up I would recommend listening to these tracks and download a few but only buy the CD if you like the majority of these tracks.

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