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There has been an extreme decline in R&B music.  With the exceptions of Carl Thomas, Sade, and D’Angelo, 2000 has brought us nothing to get excited about. 

So with the hope of resurrection, R. Kelly’s TP-2.Com was right on time. While TP-2.Com isn’t quite the gem everyone expected, it will at least tide us over until a certain bag lady fires mama’s gun.

The CD opens with “TP-2,” the follow up to “12 Play.” Kelly fails to capture attention like the original, and the song’s two-minute length does not help.  He goes on to please the ear with songs like “Strip for You” and “Just Like That.” R. Kelly cries for forgiveness on “I Don’t Mean It.” “Girl all you gotta do is take my hand,” he begs. “Promise this time/I’m going all the way/And show you all the reasons why you stayed…”

The problem with this album is the amount of tracks. In his attempt to put twenty songs on the album, too much filler material slips through the cracks. It is not necessary to release a lengthy album with only six or seven songs worth listening to. “Fiesta” and “R&B Thug” could have been left on the cutting room floor. And an R. Kelly CD wouldn’t  be complete without your one bump and grind song. This time we have “Feeling On Yo Booty,” a track tailor-made for couples to slow-grind to. 

Overall this project appears to be a rushed one. Maybe Mr. Kelly felt an extended hiatus would hamper his return, but someone should remind him that good music never goes out of style. 

—Thomas “Poohbear” Jones 
                   Staff Writer