As they say it's a game of two halves. Twenty two year old New Jerseyite Jaheim plays a blinder on the first half of this 21 track album, knocking out his single 'Could It Be' with a distinctive deep voiced aplomb and dealing out raw lyrics guaranteed to make the average parent jump.
The soul singer has been well nurtured by Kay Gee of Naughty By Nature since an early age and of his gravely singing talents there can be no doubts. Fitting somewhere between nu classic soul and mainstream Bad Boy flavours his blend of R&B and Rap is just to the right of Joe, just to the left of Redman.
While the tension between the two forms is maintained Jaheim (or Jah as he likes to be cutely called) provides great street R&B such as 'Let It Go', 'Happiness', 'Lil' Nigga Ain't Mine' and 'Finders Keepers'. The lilting swing between his rap and his soulful roll paints an endearing, seductive picture of a talented young man both tough and vulnerable in his self-expression.
Becoming parentless and imprisoned by 17 has undoubtedly been a major factor in his life and hence his music. But straight after half time we're knee deep in the slop as Jah forgets his street religion and falls into a pale imitation of Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross.
'Ready, Willing and Able', 'For Moms' and 'Forever' are utter cliches of what R&B used to be five or ten years ago when it was commonly thought that it was ballads that really sold records (something people like Macy Gray, D'Angelo and Usher have disproved).
It's here that Jaheim's young age shows itself. He doesn't have the maturity or life experience to write emotionally powerful records. It's no surprise that those dons of the king size sugar sweetness Next are wheeled in, adding professional weight to Jaheim's youthful moaning on 'Anything' (admittedly the album's best ballad).
A remix of 'Could It Be' utilising Craig Mack's 'Flavor In Your Ear' appears on the end of the album, breaking up any kind of late night shaggy rug business 'Ghetto Love' might have induced you (and, who knows, maybe a partner) into. It's a funny ol' album alright.
