Kelly Rowland "Here I Am" album review

Just got the new Kelly Rowland album, and as my hopes for this album have been no secret since I heard about it, I wanted to share my thoughts on the album. First, I think Kelly delivered a great album, from 1 to 10. I don't think it's the best R&B female album of the year, as I feel that Beyonce's '4' holds that distinction just for Bey's vocals, but I do think it's KELLY'S best album of her career. She tapped into the R&B feel we love from her without becoming too "urban", as I feel she did to her detriment on her last album in parts, and she linked that with the international pop feel that brought her worldwide acclaim last year with David Guetta in "Commander". I predict she'll sell about 100K the first week, and with the quality of songs she has, if the label pushes the right singles and promotes the album, she will eventually have a platinum solo album to go along with her #1 R&B hit song, "Motivation".

Below is my review of the album. Just my opinions!

1. I'm Dat Chick

This song was written by Ester Dean, who wrote smashes like Rihanna's "Rude Boy" and Katy Perry's "Firework", and produced by Tricky Stewart, who produced "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" for Beyonce. Ester's songs are not the most lyrical IMO, but she has a knack for making songs that grab your attention and are female anthems, and she nails that sentiment here. The beat is aggressive to match the "work your fist, I'm that chick" refrain, and the song is a great start to the album. I rate it a 8.5/10.

2. Work It Man

This song was produced by Darkchild, one of my favorite producers from his work with Brandy, MJ, and many others, but this song didn't slay me like I expected it to. The rapper Lil Playy is good but not great, and brought the song down with his verse in the beginning...the song never really recovered for me from there. I like the concept of the song, but it wasn't as creative as some of the others on the album, and the melody doesn't grab like those LaShawn Daniels usually is involved with (Darkchild's main songwriter for years). I rate it a 6/10.

3. Motivation f/Lil Wayne

This song blew me away the first time I heard it, and listening to it again now as I write this review, I still feel the same way about it. You ever hear a song and just know, "THAT'S what a hit should sound like"? That's how I felt about this record from the first listen. Kelly sounds sexy, self assured, and her voice is as beautiful as ever on this record. Rico Love wrote the song, and from the melody to the lyric to the song concept, he just nailed it. Jim Jonsin murked the beat, which is sexy and sinuous, but never intrusive, allowing the song and Kelly's voice to take center stage. Add a great Weezy verse to the mix, and you have a smash. This is the highlight of a great album. I rate it a 10/10.

4. Lay It On Me f/Big Sean

This was written by Ester Dean and produced by HitBoy, who produced for Pusha T from the Clipse, Jennifer Hudson, and was once part of Polow Da Don's team, . Big Sean is one of my favorite rappers of the current moment, with his song "My Last" f/Chris Brown on heavy rotation on radio and in my iPad2. On paper this should have been a better song than it turned out to be. I like the song, but I don't feel that the label should have launched this as the second song to follow a smash like "Motivation", and it seems to be stalling out at radio accordingly. I like this song. I don't love it. I rate it a 7/10.

5. Feelin Me Right Now

This was written and co-produced by Rico Love, who also wrote Motivation, and this is another great song. The concept is that Kelly is in love with herself and doesn't need anyone else, and is swagged out. The beat is nice, in the pocket, and Kelly's voice shines thru the vocal arrangements. Great lyrics, great melody, solid production, good concept....I rocks with it. I rate it an 9/10.

6. Turn It Up

This was another Darkchild production, and is about Kelly saying basically that she could tell the girlfriend of the dude she's been with all the things that he really said to Kelly and all the things Kelly and he did, but instead she's gonna just be "sippin' till I'm empty" and partying. I like the concept, as it's not one you hear often in urban club songs, and Kelly sounds great. Not a smash, but a solid record. I rate it an 8/10.

7. All of the Night f/Rico Love

This was written by Rico Love and produced by The Runners, who did "Hustlin'" for Rick Ross and have worked with some of everyone. The melody and vocal arrangement on this song kills me everytime I listen to it. Rico and Kelly have a great creative chemistry, and it shines again here. The song is sexy, and Kelly matches the tone effortlessly...the lyrics are as sweet as the melody and arrangement..."Turn me up, keep me pumping...like I'm your favorite song...boy it ain't nothing wrong with making love...sweet love..." Rico kills his verse; many forget that Usher signed him to his label as a rapper back in the day now that he's a top tier songwriter, but here he reminds us how dope his lyrics are when he spits as well as when he's on the pen. My personal favorite song on the album from the first time I heard it. I rate it a 10/10.

8. Keep It Between Us

This was written by Lonny Bereal who writes for Jamie Foxx, Chris Brown, and works with Tank, and is the most "r&b" song on the entire album, which is not a bad thing at all. The song is sexy, and is the record that sounds most like the last album Kelly released. The vocal arrangement on this song grabs my ears and won't let go as well...Kelly has never sounded better. You can imagine being with the one you love, eating dinner by candlelight with this song playing in the background as the prelude to an evening of lovemaking...it's the truth, just like Kelly is. I rate it a 9.5/10

9. Commander

This is the most pop song on the album, written by Rico Love and produced by mega-producer David Guetta, most known for "Got A Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas, and was a #1 smash record in the UK for Kelly last year. I'm glad to see this song make the album, as I loved it at first listen and lauded the fact that Kelly had found her own sound. This song didn't do as well stateside, but it opened the door to the success she's having now by making people refocus on her talent, and I'm glad to see it here. It's standard 4-on-the-floor techno pop, and the songwriting is stellar as usual from Rico Love. Kelly nails the dance floor diva sentiment of the song perfectly. I'd actually have loved to see more of this kind of pop on her album, but when "Motivation" hit #1, it changed the dynamic of the album accordingly. Love this song...I rate it a 9.5/10.

10. Down For Whatever

This was produced by RedOne, best known for all his smashes with Lady GaGa, and is another 4 on the floor pop record from Kelly. On these kinds of records, Kelly sounds most at home, and her vocals soar and pulsate with the disco/techno production. Great lyrics, great melody, great feel; this is a great record top to bottom. I rate it a 9/10.

Best Songs: Motivation, All Of The Night, Commander, Keep It Between Us
Album Rating: 9/10

Overall, Kelly found her niche on this album, and she works the hell out of it. She worked with the best and finally has a complete album worthy of her voice and the promise she showed in Destiny's Child. I'm sure she dislikes the comparisons to Beyonce', but whereas Bey may have the better album ('4') from a vocal standpoint, from a HIT standpoint, Kelly wins this round, hands down. Album available in stores 7/26/11...make sure you pick up a copy!!