Faith returns to the forefront of R&B with her first release on Capitol Records: (her new label after years on Sean ãP-Diddyä Comb's Bad Boy Records) The First Lady.   This album has been well waited on and with the drug charges she received in Georgia in 2004 people wonder will Faith return to the music scene with fire or a shell of her former self. With production from people like The Neptunes, Mario Winans, Toxic, Ivan ãOrthodoxä Barias and Carvin ãRansumä Haggins and Jermaine Dupri this album should be hot but you never know. Let's get into this review and tell the world if the former Mrs. Notorious B.I.G. did her thing!

ãGoin' Outä is Faith's attempt at the club track that is running rampant in the world of Hip Hop/R&B and while not a bad track it isn't anything new.   The song features Pharrell and Pusha T and they do their thing.   Faith talks about going out with her ladies and having a good time.

ãAgainä is the first single from the album and Faith gets personal on this track talking about her problems in her life and what she could or wouldn't do.   She get especially lyrical about the drug case in Georgia saying it was the media who tried to hype it up even though she admits she made a mistake.

Those hustling brothers we all have in our life are what Faith talks about in ãI Don't Need Itä. Faith uses the old ãNight Over Egyptä track and explains that the money they are hustling to get doesn't replace getting hurt. The songs opening reminds you of a Stevie Wonder track

ãStop N Goä is a slow track and Faith's voice resonates in your mind as she talks about being tired of the confusion and wondering what if we break up.   She uses sports as an analogy especially basketball and does this with striking ease!

ãMesmerizedä talks about being putdown by that thing that has you wrapped up in love.   Faith talks to the ladies and this reminds me of a 60's groove by Aretha. The track contains elements of ãWho's Making Loveä. A soulful hot track indeed!    

ãTru Loveä is about that love that we all want in our lives and hopefully will attain.   The track is bouncy but you can play it when alone with that special someone and the night won't be affected negatively.

Faith gets down and explains her and sure many women's feelings in ãJealousä, a song that reminds you of being in a carousel.   Freely admitting her faults, Faith gives men no reason to say they didn't know where she stands. She does say some stalker stuff in this male writer's opinion like check cell phones and things of that nature!

ãEver Wonderä is a Bad Boy reunion as Faith is joined by Mario Winans and they sing over a guitar rich track.   This is no Carl Thomas and Faith collabo but is okay. The two artists talk about what if situations.

ãCatching Feelingsä is late night reflection song where Faith talks about what makes her fall for a guy and the fact that it may be happening too fast!

ãGet Over Youä is a funky track that Faith uses to express her various breakups and other experiences.   This song is uses the background vocals very well and this is a case where simple is better.

ãUntil You Cameä is another slowdown track that could get a lot of airplay in your system.   Faith shows her range and sexiness on the track.  

ãLucky Dayä is a bluesy track that Faith uses to give love to the DJs everywhere.   The beat is made for easy dancing and this can make you break out into a movement while doing school or housework.

"Hope" is the bonus track of the album as it was already heard on Twista's Kamikaze CD and also on the Coach Carter soundtrack.   It's a nice track where Twista would like to happen if the world was more perfect. If you liked a song like Jadakiss's why you would like this too.

Overall this album is very solid and Faith shows versatility and proves that she is one of the best in the game.   While she can blow it down like a Mariah Carey or Jill Scott nor get the Hip Hop crowd like Mary, Faith is a star definitely deserving of her own platform.

I'll give the album 4 globes.

 
Any comments, suggestions, questions email Clayton at clayton@geoclan.com.

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