Yahoo! Music Album Review

Released on 11/07/05
Label: Jive

R. Kelly obviously took the meaning of "All You Need Is Love" a little too literally. His latest bump-and-grind-athon, "TP3.com", is once again obsessed with love, love, love. And that's before breakfast. No amount of carnal pleasure seems to sate this man's mammoth appetite.

Of course, Mr Kelly's no stranger to these lotharian ways having successfully cast himself in many ways as a latter-day Barry White. Slow jams tailormade for a little lovin' are his stock-and-trade and he clearly appears undeterred by having to spend the last few years trying to shake off some less welcome headlines. Regardless, his audience lapped-up his last album, "The Chocolate Factory" and will no doubt line-up for another seeing to this time around.

In fact, it's little short of incredible that Kelly's got time to make a record when he's 'at it' day and night in the club ("Playas Only"), in the kitchen (er, "Sex In The Kitchen") or anywhere he can. Rather comically he introduces an analogy (too far) in the phallic shape of a household gadget ("Remote Control") and he's even willing to be late for work for another eye full ("Put My T-Shirt On") before heading out the door.

So, the foreplay of the rate-a-pimp tracks "Happy Summertime" and "Playas Only" passes largely unnoticed while things don't come to the boil until the groove of "Slow Wind" and the funkadelic, booty-shaking "Reggae Bump Bump" - the closest thing here to the infectious drive of "Ignition (Remix)".

But Kelly's not finished yet. You can imagine the smile on his face when you stumble upon the Stevie Wonder-inspired climax of the album, the five-part 'urban operatta', "Trapped In The Closet". Hallelujah, he may have left it late but finally there's some substance and, for the first time on the album, a semblance of meaningful soul. Eat your heart out Mike Skinner. And don't worry; we won't spoil the ending for you.

Unsurprisingly, "TP3.com" is overblown and overlong with appearances from the usual suspects - The Game, Twista and the ubiquitous Snoop - and production qualities as impressive as his libido. You can't blame him for sticking with a successful formula but with "Trapped In The Closest", Kelly manages to turn a very average album into one that warrants a second chance and possibly more.

Having said that, when the ooaahs and ahhhhs fade away and the lights go up, chances are the only party who'll be truly satisfied will be Kelly. How was it for you?

    by Chris Heath