CD Review

Artist: Alicia Keys

Title: As I Am

Record Label: J Records/Sony Music

Released: November 13^th 2007

4 ½ Stars

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

Alicia Keys is what's known as ‘the complete package' in the music business. She's a stunning beauty (highly marketable), she's young, she's an amazing singer and composes (from start to finish) all of her incredibly original music. Even more than a complete package for the music industry, Keys has a quiet resolve to do exactly as she pleases with her music and her life; which makes her a role model for many people of any age. If that wasn't all enough, Keys is a throwback to the history of music that makes her songs pulsate with brilliance; a unique glare in music today.

From Keys first breakthrough album Songs In A Minor where her hits ‘Girlfriend' ‘Fallin'' and ‘A Woman's Worth,' made her a staple at award shows and live performances where she tended to tear up the stage with musical legends; we had an idea early on where Keys career would end up. Her follow up album The Diary Of Alicia Keys was a much milder success and even though it was a great album, Keys audience was setting their standard considerably higher for her albums then most in the industry; which is exactly where As I Am fits in.

Keys first single ‘No One,' according to her, is a response to being told to ignore her own private matters in an attempt to spew out a third album. Debunking the system, Keys refused to make the third album until she was ready and we can all be grateful she did take her time in getting to it. Biting back serves Keys well as ‘No One' is an uplifting anthem song about following your own heart, which is heavily influenced by the ultra-talented and hard to duplicate Stevie Wonder. The whole album is a strong, muscular body of work from Keys, with its hooks and vibe taken from the likes of the Jackson 5 (circa 1970s), as said before Stevie Wonder, and pretty much anything of the 1970s that was memorable. Even going so far as to start the track ‘Where Do I go From Here' with a crackling record, enticing horns, and as little Nina Simone inspired musical ramblings which leads into a rich beat reminds the listener of that era. Keys also gets a little huskier with her voice at times, like in the song ‘Sure Looks Good To Me' which is an enjoyable development in her range of style.

‘No One' is clearly a breakout hit, but it would be hard to pick a favourite from As I Am, for the whole album is a cohesive perfect circle with no beginning and no end. Songs like ‘Superwoman,' ‘Teenage Love Affair,' ‘Tell You Something (Nana's Reprise)' are all equally as memorable and prepped to chart climb. As I Am begs you to pass the word on ‘hey, I found a great album!' and I think you'd find few that would disagree with your recommendation. John Mayer on the track ‘Lesson Learned' was a fitting addition as Mayer is similar in his appeal to music as Keys. Of course, Keys signature piano playing is at the forefront of most tracks.

Most of all, it is Keys passion in her voice that sounds as if she sung most of this album on her knees in James Brown fashion; sweating every emotion from every lyric, which is divine to listen to. In general, music has lost its power of emotion as it appears we are being taught to emote less and want more, so As I Am is a refreshing reminder that the best music comes from meaning what you are singing.

As I Am is a pragmatic and tactile declaration of independence by Alicia Keys that has a newly formed resounding maturity of voice and composure. As the say beckons, ‘you go girl!'  

1. As I Am (Intro)

2. Go Ahead

3. Superwoman

4. No One

5. Like You'll Never See Me Again

6. Lesson Learned - Alicia Keys, featuring John Mayer

7. Wreckless Love

8. Thing About Love

9. Teenage Love Affair

10. I Need You

11. Where Do We Go from Here

12. Prelude to a Kiss

13. Tell You Something (Nana's Reprise)

14. Sure Looks Good to Me