Jon B:
Stronger Everyday

Release Date: 14 March 2005

Reviewed By: Elina Zachariadi

1. Everytime - ft, Dirt McGirt

2. Lately

3. One More Dance

4. I'm Right Here

5. Hands On You

6. Patient

7. Part2 - ft, 2Pac

8. Stronger Everyday - ft, Tank

9. Thru The Fire - ft, Scarface

10. What In The World

11. Az U

12. Multiple

13. Lay It Down

14. Before Its Gone

15. What I Like About You - ft, Babyface

16. Everytime remix - ft, Beenie Man, Farena

Memphis Bleek - 534
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Jon B’s new album doesn’t really add much to our knowledge of the slow, mid-tempo character found on his previous releases. His focus on a blend of smooth melody, hip-hop, soul and contemporary R&B remains for him a priority. The richly textured body of his artistic creations has imposed a presence in the music scene with breakthrough hits such as ‘They Don’t Know’ and ‘Don’t Talk’. Nothing does more justice to his accomplishments but the realisation that every achievement has a source. No source can produce without a talent. Jon B’s melodic offerings have stable foundations. Being a musician, songwriter and producer, he has managed to put trust in the power of his music.

‘Stronger Everyday’ is another album with a slow jam flavour, which can be found in the majority of the tracks, with tunes featuring well established giants of the R&B and hip hop scene. ‘Everytime’ is a mix of tender vocals and nice verse provided by the late Dirt McGirt (aka ODB – Ol’ Dirty Bastard), despite its disastrous, out of tune finish that ruins the potential of the song. In ‘Part 2’ featuring 2Pac, we’ve got a sequel to ‘Are U Still Down’, one of the tracks from Jon’s 1997 offering, ‘Cool Relax’, a creation that also contains elements of ‘Happy Home’ written by Shakur. The acoustic presence of Scarface, guarantees the rap colours given to ‘Thru The Fire’, whereas the title track is an old school “get together” of Jon B and Tank.

It certainly feels like Jon B is generously giving us a reason to feel stronger everyday. His music is affected by a lot of emotional things and aims to form a collective. Under such a unity, seduction is an inevitable treat. Chill out with the love making spirits of ‘Lately’, or tap your feet to ‘One More Dance’ and ‘What in the World’. Be free to let all that animal instinct out with the help of some lyrical spice. Skip from “And I’ll try not to bite, but right now the dog in me is calling me” in ‘Hands on You’ to “Meet me in a place where your moaning ain’t no faking” in ‘Multiple’, both of which are guaranteed ‘top heat’ tracks.

All the songs stick well to every mood, simply because music is melody, storytelling, the regret of the past, the flame of the present, the wonder for tomorrow, things lost, missions accomplished. With these songs we share the ecstasy found in every new beginning, for ‘Stronger Everyday’ is a new start that leaves behind Jon B’s collaboration with Epic and sets him off for a fresh, promising and hopefully well promoted contract with Sanctuary Urban.

Rating 4 out of 5

Favourite picks:
2) Lately
5) Hands On U
7) Part 2

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