Musiq (Soulchild): Juslisen : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

On his debut album, Aijuswanaseing, two years ago, Musiq Soulchild demonstrated talent but little to distinguish himself from the pack of male neo-soul singers. He was so calculatedly Afro-boho that you could all but smell the incense and sensitivity wafting from the disc. But with Juslisen, the singer-songwriter (he now goes by just "Musiq") has delivered a record that far exceeds expectations. Deeply sexy, filled with bottom-heavy grooves and dynamic production, it's an early candidate for R&B album of the year. Like his peers, Musiq unabashedly worships at the shrines of Stevie Wonder and the late Donny Hathaway. But on the new collection, he also nimbly references Marvin Gaye, Sly Stone and Al Green; their influences -- heady funk, Baptist fervor and the vibe where the two meet -- are all over the disc. Both the slinkily erotic "Religious" and the tender ode "Mother Father" derive power from their old-fashioned gospel arrangements. The lovely build and cascade of overdubbed voices on "One Night" is a straight-up nod to Gaye. Throughout, Musiq gives his range an impressive workout, but it never seems forced; he never oversings or tortures notes just because he can, and he's always in the service of the song. Lyrically, he sticks with what worked before -- almost all the songs boil down to a variation on the same theme: Girl, you know I love you, so why you (A) trippin'; (B) leadin' me on; and/or (C) still doubtin' me or ya self. But the songs are tighter this time, the production more varied and inspired, and the overall package -- though it could have been shortened by two or three songs -- resonates with emotion and creativity.

ERNEST HARDY
(RS 896 - May 23, 2002)

(Posted: Apr 24, 2002)

News and Reviews

How to Play This Album

Click the play button.
Register or enter your username and password.
Let the music play!

No commitment.
It's FREE.

Track List

Play All

Intro
Newness
Caughtup
Stopplayin
Religious
Babygirl
Halfcrazy
Time
Future
Intermission (Juslisen)
Reallove
Onenight
Previouscats
Solong
Bestfriend
Dontchange
Motherfather
Something (track not available in Rhapsody)
If I Woulda Knew

Your Turn

Give us your review of Juslisen

Review 1 of 1

5of 5 Stars

Although he did away with the "soulchild",musiq still carries on his forefathers'(and mothers') tradition of groundbreaking soul-hence the former last name.The meet-and-greet serenade of "newness" shocases musiq's natural charm,while "halfcrazy" tells a tale of friends becoming lovers and face a suddenly tainted breakup."Realove" and "onenight" are both smooth and straightforward with a simple,earnest plea:"let's make this connection right."Finally,"dontchange" proves how true love can stand the test of time.Wheteher he's rekindling a relationship or enlightening today's bright young minds,musiq tends to make this wonderful album one of the most golden r&b masterpieces of all time.

Jul 10, 2006 09:54:22

Previous Next