Farnkie J:
The One

Release Date: 15 August 2005

Reviewed By: Kate Watkins

1. Obsession (No Es Amor)(Feat Baby Bash)

2. The One Featuring 3LW

3. How To Deal

4. Without You

5. On The Floor (Feat Paul Wall)

6. Story of My Life

7. No.1 Fan

8. Just Can't Say It's Love

9. In The Moment

10. Gone

11. Don't Wanna Try(Bonus Track)

12. Suga Suga (Feat Baby Bash)

13. Obsession (No Es Amor)(Spanish Version)

14. Situated (Bonus Track)

15. Obsession (No Es Amor) (Feat . Mr.Phillips)(Luny Tunes Reggaeton Video)

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When Francisco Javier Bautista (a.k.a. Frankie J) released his first solo album in 2003, critics questioned whether a young Latino could deliver soulful R&B melodies. After breaking away from the multi-platinum Mexican-American group Kumbia-Kings, Frankie J found success via the MTV TRL chart with his single ‘Don’t Wanna Try’, which launched him into the spotlight. 

Frankie J’s latest album, ‘The One’, is a fresh album with bittersweet melodies and lyrics clashing alongside funky R&B beats. His falsetto is smooth and sensuous as he sings his way through broken hearts and new beginnings. His easy vocals prove that he is a groomed singer with a lot of potential, and working with Mario Winans has added to bringing out his overall vocal depth. The beats and riffs only resonate with Frankie J’s vocals making them the primary part of all of the 13 tracks.  

The first single from the album, ‘Obsession  (No Es Amour)’, combines a mesmerising bass line with rhythmic guitar riffs and Frankie J’s haunting vocals. His pipes are reminiscent of Justin Timberlake’s on ‘Cry Me River’: they are eerie and breathtaking. Frankie J communicates just how weird and wonderful love can be. 

Produced by Brian Michael Cox, ‘On the Floor’ is a terrific dance track with its layered use of the Wham! classic ‘Everything She Wants’; the closest thing to a club anthem on the album. Paul Wall’s rhymes add to overall fun feeling of track and it will surely make any listener want to get up and dance. 

Of all of the tracks, ‘How to Deal’ appears to be the most biographical and heartfelt on the album. As he croons over giving up on love for career success, Frankie J seems to suggest that life is not without difficult choices. Perhaps this track is a warning to young fans about how love and life can lead to different paths. 

‘Story of My Life’ on the surface appears to be the autobiographical track of the album, with a funky guitar riff that layers the entire track. Lyrically, it’s rather uninspiring as it tells the tale of how difficult things may seem. 

‘Don’t Wanna Try’, one of the album’s bonus tracks, displays Frankie J’s awesome vocal range. He can hit high notes in a fashion that seems effortless, but beyond the reach of us mere mortals. The minimalist piano at the beginning of track gradually leads towards a ballad-like chorus, but the melancholy feel of the song shows that it isn’t just a love song; it’s something more with a lot of feeling behind it.  

The album as a whole is not dissimilar from any other R&B album, but Frankie J’s vocals are rock solid. They are fresh and funky as his falsetto always seems to reach new highs. He can easily be placed alongside Usher and Justin Timberlake as one of the great young R&B stars this generation have seen. This R&B has star has a lot of potential, especially if he develops some of the creative aspects of his music. ‘The One’ also proves that a young Latino artist can have soul and depth, which is perhaps the album’s biggest accomplishment. 

Rating: 3 out of 5 

Best Tracks:

1) Obsession (No Es Amor)

5) On the Floor

9) In the Moment

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