After an almost four -year hiatus since her last album (Kaleidoscope), the blow up of the Neptunes and a pending engagement Kelis returned in last 2003 with the LP, Tasty

“ Trick Me” produced by Dallas Austin, features a mean bass and electric guitar and Kelis talks about not being fooled again by a man who doesn’t know what he has the first (and maybe second) time.

“ Milkshake” is the first single of the album and is produced by the Neptunes. When the song first came out some kid asked me what milkshake meant. Of course I said use your imagination!

“ Keep It Down” is Rock meets Hip-Hop and the Tunes give you a wicked breakdown where Kelis breaks down the situation of those who like who to tell their business in the streets and the repercussions they have on the females. The flute added in the end is well placed and gives it a totally different sound.

“ In Public” produced by Rockwilder is about well… doing it in public, everywhere and anywhere! Nas, Ms. Rogers’ fiancée adds his lyrics to the mix and it leads to one racy story. A little out of character for Nas but he plays his part. In the song Kelis says “I like it when we do it to this song”. Not necessarily for the club but definitely for the after hours/shaky butts.Reminds me alot of a Prince cut from the early 80's.

“Flashback” talks about the last summer and a series of encounters. Placed on a typical Neptunes beat and a sultry Kelis stirring your imagination.

“ Protect My Heart” sounds like “Beautiful” and “Hot In Herre” with the Tunes producing the track and Kelis talking about turning down the advances of men and not setting herself up for heartache and disappointed.

“ Millionaire” produced and featuring Andre 3000 of Outkast reminds you of The Love Below mood and features a dreamy drum kick and snare with the keyboard as the liftoff. Both musical artists talk about being on an island most won’t get to and always think they want to be at. The beat has a nice popping sound to it and will make you stand up and recognize.

“ Glow” is produced and written by Raphael Saadiq and Jake and The Phatman and Kelis talks about that shine you get when you with the special person despite the odds. More mellow and in the traditional R&B mold this song is one of my favorites on the LP.
Kelis tells how sweet her significant other is in “Sugar Honey Iced Tea”. No matter what is going on with these women he always has her back and does it with so little effort.

“ Attention” is about those small looks and actions that keep a relationship going or make it cease to exist. In the bridge the electric guitar is a nice touch and gives the song a nice break from monotony.

“ Rolling Through The Hood” is one of the albums best stories. Kelis talks about catching her man doing no good and her feelings. She also talks about the kids and their limitless potential. This song is mellow and a certain ear catcher. Kelis does a great job showing her range and tone. “Maybe tomorrow!”

Dame Grease returns from the background of music to produce “Stick Up”. The track uses a simple yet effective drum and keyboard beat. The organ sound reminds you of the church and the walking the aisle to your seat. But this is secular music it about sensuality and fixing up a broken heart.

“ Marathon” takes love and puts it in a race with winner not soon to be announced. The bass underlies the clapping beat and makes the track up-tempo but not party. Kelis talks about not giving into distractions and not settling till she gets what she wants. Using rifts and pronunciation, Kelis gets point across in unsurprising fashion.

Kelis while not your classic R&B singer has a place in the new age of Hip Hop and just like he first LP Kaleidoscope knows how to use her funkiness as a gift not a hindrance. The production is definitely tight and while the lyrics aren’t anything that blows me away it is hard to discredit that she keeps your body moving and your mind at least flashing mental pictures.

Not an album you want to play around the- kids this grown folks album is great for the freak in you and some selective rendezvous. Kelis isn’t trying to be sneaky and a good number of the songs are just long enough to convey a single premise but it sounds very delicious coming from her. Make no mistake, love and sex are dominate the talk in Tasty but isn’t that why most would by the album? It made my decision a whole lot easier. Kelis does executive produce the album.

I’ll give it 3 globes.