R&B singer/songwriter Jaheim returns for Another Round while reintroducing his signature, soulful sound on his fifth studio effort. It was nine years ago that he hit the scene with Ghetto Love, which immediately garnered the 22-year-old comparisons to greats like Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross. But Jaheim is truly in a league of his own.
A young man with an old soul, Jaheim manages to transcend the status quo of contemporary R&B without resorting to explicit lyrics and overproduced beats. He could teach the younger guys in the game a thing or two about saying what they feel when it comes to the opposite sex and doing so in a way illustrating maturity and sincerity. But that’s not exactly the world in which we live, as evidenced on the title track which deviates from the usual Jaheim sound. It’s not necessarily a bad track (in fact, it’s quite radio-friendly), but it is quite ill-fitting in the midst of everything else.
The album opens with “Ain’t Leavin Without You”, the lead single which is continuing to climb the charts, earning the crooner his fourth No. 1 on the Adult R&B chart. Sampling De La Soul’s “Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)” (a sample itself) and Fat Larry’s Band’s “Act Like You Know”, the track perfectly fuses a bit of old school feel with new school flow as Jaheim recalls an encounter at the club in which “this little thing was running across the floor. And I said, ‘Girl, you know what? I’m not leaving here without you.” The remix featuring longtime friend and collaborator Jadakiss is also included at the album’s close.
“Finding My Way Back”, the second single, is a slow jam that’s sure to be another hit as Jaheim tells a story of trying to find his way back to his woman’s heart. The next reported single, “Whoa”, is an uptempo love song, expressing how a man feels when he finds the woman for him, devoid of anything vulgar or explicit. In keeping with the theme, “Till It Happens to You” is the epitome of a wedding song, complete with bells and inspiration of love and happiness. “Bed is Listening” is one of those tracks to listen to when you ladies feel the need to tell the world when we’ve done you wrong: “The next time you get the urge to pick up the phone / to let everybody know that I know I did you wrong / let it wait, wait until I get home / to tell the bed your condition”
“Impossible” is an old school love song in the style of Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman”. The love continues with the upbeat “Her” as Jaheim sings the praises of a wonderful woman. “II Pink Lines” is the ultimate daddy song explaining the excitement and joy surrounding impending fatherhood. Heartbreak and loss is expressed on “Otha Half”, but there’s something else in mind with “Closer”: “Come a little bit closer / spread out like you were a poster / girl I want to put it on you”
On “In My Hands”, Jaheim sings the love for the woman he’s about to marry (which I’m sure will be used in many weddings…or should be). Although some may say that Jaheim hasn’t yet attained much mainstream success, Jaheim says he feels Another Round is his greatest work yet. Without having to rely on a number of features, he does what he does best — sing great love songs, and this album, filled with them, is only the beginning: “God willing, I’ll still be doing my love doctoring 20 years from now,” he says.
JAHIEM IS SO SEXY! I AM SO GLAD THAT HE IS BACK.
I have to say that his album is INCREDIBLE. It’s much better than his previous releases. I didn’t expect it to be as good as it is. “In My Hands” is my favorite.
He lookin good….damn I need to hit the gym up fast
Where is Brian????????
I love the CD ! ! !
Good review. Love Jaheim he`s an amazing talent !
I guess the duet with Kandi didn’t make the cd?
Glad to see him back…I liked the previews & look forward to hearing it all tomorrow.
Ive been waiting for a album like this! love finding my way back!! the whole album is great! : )
he seriously looking like a drunk!
i be getting my copy tomorrow yeaaaaaaa love him soo much.
Great cd!!! Can’t w8 to get tomorrow! I have luvd Jaheim since Ghetto Love…
He looks good but he is not 22…………..
I wish him the best.
OK …..OK ….. LOOKING SEXY!!!!!
lol @#13, they are saying he was 22 when he started. way back then.
Great, pickin’ up my copy over the weekend. I love Jaheim.
lol oh ok… thanks #16
Dam Jaheim look sexy as hell in that pic!
I like every CD he’s released and still listen to all of’em
CL, how come i cant leave comments on the post below?
Jaheim kinda looks constipated in the pic LOL
Jaheim is looking mighty good. I hope his album does well..
im getting this tomorrowwwwwwwwww!!!!!
say yes to REAL MUSIC and no to all the BULLSH!T
and why is beyonce’s post not working? Was it getting that dramatic down there? lol damn
Jaheim looking good!!!!!! Young ones need to take notice.
love him, cant wait, gonna get it!PERIOD
I only came on here to ask why we can’t post on the Jay/ Beyonce topic? Seems a bit wierd we can’t.
THIS GUY HERE keeps me in good spirits that R&B is not dead. There’s something about Ja’s voice that takes you whereever he wants you to go and thats coming from a man. I love this guy(not like that) he really puts it where its needed
Love Jah. He got the grown and sexy looki. I will be hitting the store in the am to get his CD.
“without resorting to explicit lyrics”…umm he frequently uses the N word in his songs which is only part of why I don’t listen to his music-he comes off as a male hoodrat. And it’s a shame too b/c his beats are good and his voice is so different and pretty. All that said I wish him the best of luck. Oh and I think him and ‘Tasia or Lil Mo or Keyshia should do a duet album like how Alexander O’Neal and Charell used to do.
oh and he cleans up very nicely-best he’s ever looked. the make over’s a definite upgrade.
Jaheim is getting his grown man OWN!!!!. I hope his album does well..
Thanks J Dakar
This nigga gay as hell weve all known that for years, he can sing, but hes not being real, but trust the gay community does embrace thier lost brother
Jahiem is no where near gay, why speak on something you know nothing about. The gay rumor was started years ago by a employee that was fired. He knew the public love to embrace drama! stop being so easy to influence.
Just purchased the cd, and love it. Love Ain’t Leavin Without, remix ok for hip hop crowd. Best Romantic song is “Closer”, that “B’ham Alabama” caught my attention…smile! And finally a love song that is respectful of women making you feel special and needed….none of that “lick you up and down” nobody wants to hear that stuff. Jaheim cleaned up and I like it!
Look, who cares about “gay”, it’s about the music! His cd is awesome and his deliverance of the music is wonderful!
my favorites are ‘closer’ and ‘bed is listening’
I LOVE THOSE! and yea just got the CD
lmao this man is not gay! wtf?
Jaheim got the nerve to be telling stories about women! HE IS GAY!!!!! it is known throughout the industry!! he got busted duking a guy in his dressing room!! GAYDAR stop trying to act like you like wome!! he got TURNED OUT IN JAIL!!! check his resume!! i HATE DOWNLOW BROTHERS!! admit and embrace your gayness!!!
you must be the creep Jahiem fired then post about it on Twitter. Grow up and move on Jah will never let you mess up his money again. He get more woman than you ever could. He got me but you could not Jealous!!
since you are spreading rumors you apparently wanted to get with Jaheim in his dressing room but he rejected you and had to be held back for kicking yo gay ass. My baby is not gay.
i never heard the gay rumor. but i was listenin to dl hugley show and he said jaheim was hoin to be on and he wanted to ask him some serious questions and get stuff STRAIGHT. so i figured somethin must be up…everybody has to be gay nowadays why????
Jah is not gay.Thats just the way people in this world spread rumors and gossip about you when your successful.As the saying goes”Your nobody until somebody talks about you”.Trust and believe HE’S NOT GAY!!Knock it off already and stop hating!
I love you Jaheim! Stay positive brother, we need to see more brothers like you making great music and being good role models. God bless you brother.
I love you Jaheim! You make such great music and your so positive and real. God bless you and keep your head high brother! BK got love for you.