Anthony Hamilton - 'I'll Wait (To Fall In Love)' (2011)

Back To Love is a great album. I definitely recommend it for those who enjoy R&B/Soul.

'I'll Wait (To Fall In Love)' is a really nice song. One of my fave from the new album! 

Listen below: 

Lyrics:

I`ll wait for you to fall in love
I`ll hold myself for only you
you know I will baby hmmm

along the way I try my hand in love
in hopes that we'll one day bring that unity
the one that feels natural and true like an older day movie
not pretentious both interests agree
that we belong in love as a power
I`ll give to stay, you

chorus
I`ll wait for you to fall in love (I`ll wait I`ll wait I`ll wait)
I`ll hold myself for only you( I`m gonna hold myself for you baby)
I`ve tried to settle down before
I`ve tried I`ve tried
but there`s no other love that will do

Elated about you all joy (the thrill to me)
for once I can open my heart and share all feelings
come closer and make me your own(give a life time baby)
and shelter me close with your love
cause there is no woman out there can do ohhh

chorus
I`ll wait for you to fall in love (said I`ll wait)
I`ll hold myself for only you( I`ll hold myself for you baby)
I`ve tried to settle down before
said I`ve tried it before
there`s no other love that will do

for your love I`ll wait(I`ll wait)
girl I`ll wait (cause there`s no other love)
cause there`s no love that will do
makes me feel the way that you do my baby ohhhhh

chorus
I`ll wait for you to fall in love (I`ll wait baby)
I`ll hold myself for only you( I`ll hold myself for only you)
I`ve tried to settle down before
I`ve tried I`ve tried
there`s no other love that will do things like you do

I`ll wait for you to fall in love (I`ll wait baby)
make me feel like you do
I`ll hold myself for only you( I`m gonna wait baby)
make me feel like you do

do do do do do do do do x4

Lyrics credit: metrolyrics
Lyrics revised: jctmusicnotes

Anthony Hamilton - 'Best Of Me' (2011)

One of my favorite track from Anthony Hamilton's latest album, Back To Love.

Listen below:

Lyrics: 

It’s simple, I love it, having you near me, having you here

Our conversations, outrageous, 

You smile, and I smile then I say

Boo, this getting personal, personal, personal

Let’s stay for a while and play

Girl let’s make this a moment

Giving you the best of me, amazing, lady, amazing, baby

Having you close to me, amazing, outrageous

Give your best to me

Good morning, here’s breakfast

Lost track of time but, we had a ball

Let’s catch a movie, then dinner

Tonight’s the night we’ll

Just unwind, and stay, hey

Let’s stay personal, personal, personal

Let’s stay for a while and play

Such a beautiful moment

Giving you the best of me, amazing, amazing, 

Having you close to me, amazing, outrageous

Give your best to me

Giving you the best of me, amazing, amazing, 

Having you close to me, amazing, outrageous

Give your best to me X 2

Lyrics credit: sweetslyrics 

Lyrics reviewed: jctmusicnotes

New Music: CHEEZE - '1st single album - 나홀로 집에 (Home Alone)' (2011)

CHEEZE is a new R&B/Hip Hop group under Ra.D's realcollabo label. CHEEZE consists of 4 members: 2 producers (GooRoomi (구름이), MOODI), vocalist Dalchongi (달총이) and rapper YASU. They released their first single entitled, "나홀로 집에 (Home Alone)" on Dec. 16, 2011. The track is a Christmas song for single men and women. The song is not bad -  good melody and vocals.

Tracklist
1. 나홀로 집에 (Home Alone)

Listen below:

New Music: Young-Jun (of Brown Eyed Soul) - '꽃보다 그대가 (You, Over Flowers) feat. Simon D' (2011)

Young-Jun (a member of Korean R&B group - Brown Eyed Soul) released a digital single on Dec. 26, 2011. The track, "'꽃보다 그대가 (You, Over Flowers)" is a romantic R&B/Soul song with smooth vocals. The rap segment by Simon D. also complements well with Young Jun's vocals.

Tracklist
1. 꽃보다 그대가 (You, Over Flowers) feat. Simon D.


Listen below:

Robin Thicke - 'All Tied Up' (2011)

A smooth and sensual R&B/Soul track from Robin Thicke's latest album, Love After War. It's also written and composed by him. I must say this is his best album yet.

Listen below: (snippet only)



Lyrics:

Oooooh ohh yeah

Ohh ohh

Hey, girl
I've been thinking
About you in see-through secrets
Crawling on my thousand friend count
Down, down, down
Play, play hard to get it
'Cause you know I love to chase that
Till you push me on the bed and start your show

Baby 'cause I'm all tied up
Inside, come save me
I get lonely (I get lonely)
I get blue (I get blue)
I want you baby (I want you baby)
I need you (all I need is you)
'Cause I'm all tied up (ohh yeah yeah yeah oooh)
Inside, come save me
I get lonely (come save me)
I get blue (come save me)
I want you baby (come on baby)
I need you (all I need is you)

Lay, lay across my pillow
As you make love to my ego
And you always treat me like a superstar
Oh, I'm so obsessed you,
Know I'm such a mess
But, when I see you get undress and
Start your show

Baby 'cause I'm all tied up
Inside, come save me
I get lonely (I get lonely)
I get blue (I get blue)
I want you baby (I want you baby)
I need you (all I need is you)
'Cause I'm all tied up (hey yeah yeah yeah yeah yey)
Inside, come save me
I get lonely (come save me)
I get blue (come save me)
I want you baby (all I...)
I need you (all I need is your love)

(I'm all tied up) girl, I'm so locked up inside
(I get blue) Ooh I need you, you got the key baby,
Only you can release me now (ooh)
(I'm all tied up) I need your love, ooh I need you to save me baby
(I need you) ooh you got the key, come on and set me free

Baby 'cause I'm all tied up
Inside, come save me (uhh)
I get lonely (I get lonely)
I get blue (I get blue)
I want you baby (I want you baby)
I need you (all I need is you)
'Cause I'm all tied up (ohh yeah yeah yeeiiii)
Inside, come save me
I get lonely (come save me)
I get blue (come save me)
I want you baby (all I...)
I need you (all I need is you)

Baby 'cause I'm all tied up (all tied up)
Inside, come save me (I'm all tied up) (all tied up)
I get lonely (I'm so lonely)
I get blue (I get blue)
I want you baby (come on save me baby)
I need you (nothing without you)
'Cause I'm all tied up (ohh yeah yeah yeeaahhh)
Inside, come save me
I get lonely (come on just save me)
I get blue (come on just save me)
I want you baby (come on just save me)
I need you (I need your love)

Lyrics credit: azlyrics

Kpop – List of R&B releases 2011 (Final)

Just summarizing all the R&B (includes R&B/pop, R&B/ballad, R&B/Soul, and some R&B/Hip Hop) releases by Kpop artists, by month. This is the rest of the list for 2011. 

July 
Yoon Jong Shin – 2011 月刊 尹鍾信 July (single)

1Sagain & Donnie J - Neuron Presents Vol.1 (single)

August
Verbal Jint feat. C-luv – Luv Songz (track off Verbal Jint’s album)
Urban Zakapa - Tribute90 Part 1. Just A Feeling (single)

September   
Soulstar – Rebirth (mini album)
Kein - 니가 예쁜 이유 (The Reason)' (Why Are You Beautiful) (single)

October          

November         
Tablo – Tomorrow feat. TaeYang (track off Tablo’s album)
40 – Got Faith (mini album)
Mad Clown – 바질 feat. Brother Su (track off Mad Clown’s album)
All That – Touch Me Remix (single)

December        
J-Dogg – Don’t Be Afraid (single)
Kein – 어떤말로도 (Even Though No Words) (single)
Yoon Jong Shin – Vol. 13 행보 (Pace) 2011 (album)

Sat Byeol – 1^st single: 1+1+1 (single album)

Brown Eyed Soul – Soul Fever (Live album) 

Jaemin & Owl – Christmas Love (single)
CHEEZE - '1st single album - 나홀로 집에 (Home Alone)

NS Yoon Ji – 니가 뭘 알아 feat Verbal Jint (How Could You Know) 
Jasmin - The 2nd Single - 지금쯤이면 (By Now) (single)     
Young Jun (of Brown Eyed Soul) - 꽃보다 그대가 (You, Over Flowers) feat. Simon D (single)
Jay Park - New Breed Part 1 (digital mini album)

Album Review: Yoon Jong Shin (윤종신) – ‘Vol. 13 행보 (Pace) 2011’

Album release date: 2011
Genre: Kpop, ballad/R&B
Rating: 3.5/5                
Review by: jct

For his 13^th studio album, Vol. 13 행보 (Pace) 2011, Yoon Jong Shin compiles all the monthly singles that were released throughout the year 2011 for a total of 13 tracks. He picked up where he left off from Vol. 12 and continues to provide his usual love ballads seasoned with a variety of genres to spice things up. However, nearly half of the songs are sung by other singers and doesn't feature Jong Shin at all. This is a shame, because at his best, he’s a compelling, top-tier vocalist whose luscious voice has the power to mesmerize.

Strong Production, Strong Vocals

The most memorable song of the whole album is '두 이별 feat. Lee Jung (Two Separations), which is a mid-tempo R&B/ballad about broken hearts. Their vocals really complement well with each other and Jong Shin shows that he is still capable of hitting the higher notes with ease. The song portrays two different perspectives (Yoon Jong Shin and Lee Jung) on breakup. The song starts off with Lee Jung as he sings about reminiscing on the memories of a past love and missing those times together - "Gone/ I miss you, you are so far away/ your safety I can no longer ensure." And then Yoon Jong Shin continues with the rest of the song where he expresses his love and asking the lover not to leave. He sings, "I love you/ Please say how happy you are with me/Don't say goodbye."

The tracks that also deserve mentioning are the piano ballad "Happy New Year...With You feat. Kim Kwang Min (pianist)", the slow-tempo Bossa Nova/Jazz track "바바바 feat. 이상순  (BaBaBa feat. Lee Sang Soon – guitarist)", the slow-tempo ballad about broken hearts, “거기까지만 (There Would Be), the old school funk/dance track, “Love Scanner”, and a track that is a medley of 12 songs from his past albums, "Shin's Rhythm for 20 years...(feat. Postino)”. A list of the details of the 12 songs can be found here.

The main topic that is covered in this album is broken hearts and regret, which Jong Shin seems to excel in writing. Not only does he compose all the tracks, but he also participated in the arrangement of the songs with the aid of other producers. The production results are quite strong as he is able to cover a range of genres (R&B, pop, ballad, Jazz, Bossa Nova, funk) and at the same time sounding comfortable and soothing.

...But Slightly Disappointing

The album’s one flaw is that nearly half of the songs (track 4, 5, 7, 10, 12) are sung by other singers and those tracks don’t even feature Jong Shin at all. Here’s the thing - if people are paying for a Yoon Jong Shin album, then placing a bunch of track sung completely by someone else isn’t doing those who bought the album any favors. Perhaps 'Yoon Jong Shin & Friends' may be a more appropriate album title. 

It’s not that the other singers sound bad, but it’s just that they really aren't necessary. It's already very clear that he is a talented songwriter and producer and certainly able to carry an album on its own with few guest singers if he so desires. It is understanding that Jong Shin would like to have them appear on the album as he composed and produced those songs, but they were already released as digital monthly singles. And, having them also appearing on a Yoon Jong Shin album is simply unnecessary.

There is no doubt that Yoon Jong Shin still has a very fine voice but he fails to fully utilize it on Vol. 13 and instead by having others doing the vocals is somewhat disappointing. However, overall, Vol. 13 is a still a nice album with original lyrics and good style.

Tracklist
1. Happy New Year…with You feat. 김광민 (Kim Kwang Min – pianist for the song) 
2. 바바바 feat. 이상순  (BaBaBa feat. Lee Sang Soon – guitarist)
3. 거기까지만  (There Would Be) 
4. 너 없이 산다 feat. 이현우 (Living Without You feat. Lee Hyun Woo - vocals)
5. 결국 봄 feat. 장필순 (It's Finally Spring feat. Jang Pil Soon - vocals)
6. 두 이별 feat. 이정 (Two Separations feat. Lee Jung)
7. 말꼬리 feat. 정준일 of Mate (Horse Tail feat. Jung Jun Il of Mate – vocals)
8. Shin’s Rhythm for 20 years feat. Postino
9. Love Scanner feat. 정석원, Swings
10. 니 생각 feat. 김그림, 신치림 (What Do You Think feat. Kim Gu Rim, Shin Chi Rim - vocals)
11. 못나고 못난 (How Foolish of Me)
12. 늦가을 feat. 규현 of Super Junior ( Late Autumn feat. Kyuhyun of Super Junior – vocals)
13. 나이 (Age) 

Album Review: Z-Chen (張智成) – ‘你愛上的…(In Love With…)’

Album release date: 2011
Genre: R&B/pop/ballad, Cpop
Rating: 4/5                   
Review by: jct

On his 8th studio album, 你愛上的…(In Love With…), singer Z-Chen clearly solidifies his status as R&B 小王子 (Little Prince of R&B). It is evident on this album that he returns sounding more comfortable and crisp vocally and instrumentally. With his strong and soulful vocals, he continues to please listeners/fans with his usual R&B love ballads and at the same time sounding contemporary. 

Tender & Romantic

Although the songs in his last album, 暗戀 (Secret Love), were good, he sounded somewhat lackluster on many of the songs. However, it turns out that spending a considerable time off was a good idea as he returns sounding rejuvenated. The album starts off with the title track, “金玉良言 (Valuable Advice)”, which is a piano love ballad about receiving some love advices as he sings, “If we have the opportunity to reunite/ I want to meet up but it would be too random/ The hurtful words are still ringing near my ears/ Goodbye for us is the most valuable advice I got.”

A real gem though is the mid-tempo R&B track, “Wish You Well” which is about sincerely hoping his ex-lover finds love and happiness as he sings smoothly, “He’s there to accompany you when we’re at a friend’s wedding/ That sweet feeling, I’m really happy for you.”  And he clearly sounds sincere singing those words, and he continues, “My happiness is not important as long as you are happy/ I don’t bother about the past, I still can nod and smile/ My happiness is not important as long as you are happy/ I wish you well with a hug. Do not think about the past/ I wish you well, you’ll understand only after you truly loved someone.”

The album covers a wide range of love topics and most of the songs are R&B/pop love ballads that his fans are used to and had come to enjoy. However, he also explores other genres while still trying to maintain some R&B sounds such as the electronic folk track, “Bring Me Back” and the synthpop dance track, “Toyboy”.  However, not all of the songs are on point. Particularly, “Toyboy”, which sounds somewhat disjointed and his soothing vocals are hindered by the synthesizer. But despite its flaws, the album overall is filled with tender and romantic tracks, which is certainly recommended for those who enjoy R&B/pop love ballads.

Tracklist

1. 金玉良言 (Valuable Advice)
2. 2013 
3. 你愛上的我 (In Love With Me)
4. Wish You Well 
5. 帶我回去 (Bring Me Back)
6. Dream Love 
7. 相逢恨早 (Met Too Soon)
8. 寂寞有罪 (Being Alone is Wrong)
9. ToyBoy 
10. 陪我好不好 (feat. 陈佳薪) (Be With Me feat. Chen Jiaxin)

Update - Dec. 22, 2011

Hi guys!

I'm finally getting back on track with the album reviews and updates. I will also post the list of Kpop/R&B for the latter half of the year next week.

You may noticed that the 'Notes' section has undergone some changes. Mainly because there's too many dead video links, so I will only post selected and more quality R&B with more details.

If you have any questions/ comments, feel free to comment below.

Thanks for reading & following my blog! Happy holidays!

- jct

New Music: Jasmin (쟈스민) - '지금쯤이면 (By Now)' (2011)

Jasmin (쟈스민) is a Korean male R&B singer. He released his 2nd single entitled 'The 2nd Single - 지금쯤이면 (By Now)' on Dec. 21, 2011. The title track, "지금쯤이면 (By Now)" is a mid-tempo R&B/pop track with nice vocals about reminising on a past love and the good times back then.

Tracklist
1. 지금쯤이면 (By Now)


Listen below:

Album Review: Soul Star (소울스타) – ‘Rebirth’ (mini-album)

Album release date: 2011
Genre: R&B/Soul, Kpop
Rating: 4/5
Review by: jct

After a 4 year hiatus, Korean 3-membered R&B group, Soul Star returns with a mini-album entitled Rebirth. Soul Star clearly establishes themselves as credible singers as they returned sounding stronger and more focused. 

Mature, Rebirth 

The album’s title track, “바로 지금 당장 (Right Now At This Instant)” is a mid-tempo R&B track about a broken heart and wishing a lover would come back, as they sings smoothly, “You told me several times/ you said you’d love you me till you die/ I was deceived by that beautiful lie/ I still, still can’t forget you/ Let me love you, come back this very moment.” Also deserving mentioning is the track, “생일 축하해 (Happy Birthday)” which is a mid-tempo R&B track about celebrating the birthday of a lover as they sing sweetly, “Happy birthday/ A special night just for you/ …can’t wait to see you blow it out/ take your time we have all night.”

The album is filled with a handful of love songs with rich melodies of R&B and great quality. The lyrics are also quite original. Unfortunately, none truly stands out to push the album over the top. But to their credit, their nuanced vocals are enough to power the album. Overall, Rebirth is a strong and mature R&B/Soul album.

Tracklist
1. Intropella
2. 아침이 오는 한 (As The Morning Comes)
3. 바로 지금 당장 (Right Now At This Instant)
4. 생일 축하해 (Happy Birthday)
5. 하나만 빼고 (Except For One)
6. 머리 어깨 무릎 발까지 (Head, shoulders, knees, to feet) 

Album Review: Vanness Wu - ‘C’est La V’

Album release date: 2011

Genre: R&B/pop, Cpop
Rating: 3/5
Review by: jct


Chinese actor-singer, Vanness Wu released his 5th album entitled C’est La V in July 2011. The album title uses the French word “c’est la vie” meaning it’s life as word play, which describes the album well as it covers a wide range of love topics that one may experience. The album certainly tries to capture the attention of  younger audiences using up-tempo and more mainstream music. However, the album is a good example that sometimes following too closely to mainstream may not be favorable.

Going Through Motions

The album doesn’t start off too well, as he toss the listener with a bunch of up-tempo tracks loaded with computer gimmicks. The title track, “說愛就愛 (Say Love, Then Love/ Love Faith Live)” is nothing more than a cold empty attempt to stay on top of trends and reinvent himself. Sure, there are some catchy parts, but the problem is the song is completely soulless.

That said, the album slowly gets better in the latter half, specifically starting from track 5, “命定 (Destined)”.  A track deserving mentioning is “只要她快樂 (As Long As She’s Happy)”, which is a mid-tempo romantic R&B track about not taking one’s love for granted, as he sings, “As long as she’s happy, happy/ it’s simpler than you think, using heart you will see, / as long as she’s happy, loving her every minute every second/ don’t leave her alone, don’t be so inconsiderate.” Also deserving mentioning is the English track, “Knockin”, which is written and produced by Bruno Mars. The song is about wanting to be more than friends, but the girl never looked his way as he sings smoothly and fluently in English, “The man that’ll treat you good/ is standing right in front of you/ tell me what you waiting for/ when my heart’s been knocking on your door.”

Some drawbacks of this album are that most of the songs sound generic, and production-wise, it seems like he tries too hard to follow the trend, which has its pros and cons. Although he got a couple of popular American producers to help him in the production of some songs, the overall production results are not exactly great. If the songs are unable to showcase his vocals, it’s as good as useless especially with the title track and “Is This All.”  In terms of vocals, it’s quite mediocre but he does have a plesant natural voice which makes up for the limited vocal range. Overall, his attempt at modernism isn’t horrible, but sticks out like a sore thumb. The slow to mid-tempo love ballads are what he excels in and he should stick to his strengths.  

Track list

1. Intro
2. 說愛就愛 (Say Love, Then Love/ Love Faith Live)
3. Is This All feat. Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic (theme song from TV Drama “Material Queen”)
4. Do it feat. 仔仔
5. 命定 (Destined)
6. 有你在 (Having You Near) (featured in TV Drama “Material Queen”)
7. 只要她快樂 (As Long As She’s Happy)
8. 愛的手榴彈 (Love Grenade)
9. 愛沒走 (Don’t Leave)
10. 哎呀 (Oh!)
11. 透明愛 (In The Limelight)
12. Knockin’ 

New Music: Z-Chen (張智成) - Wish You Well (2011)

Z-Chen released his 7th album, In Love With..., on November 7, 2011. Whoa!!! I'm so late!!! Such a bad fan! Way too busy with school, sigh...

From what I'm hearing so far, it sounds great - R&B with smooth vocals!!! The lyrics are nice and romantic. I'll post a review on the album during the holidays.

Check out the track, "Wish You Well":