After busting back on the scene with Fabolous' INTO yOU, Tamia has come back witht this joint which is very shaky. It has it strengths but its weaknesses are even stronger and kinda overshadow.ON MY WAY- Cool, breezy mid-tempo with a positive feel to it featuring Red Cafe and produced by Poke and Tone, this song really is nothing special. It sounds like other songs that I have heard before especially from the 90s. This is more like a filler, intro track. The song is ok but that is it. B+
MORE- Featuring Freck the Billionaire and produced by Poke and Tone and Spanador, this mid-tempo is a standard R&B track. It is definitely good but does nothing original or special. Tamia's voice fits the song well and the arrangement is on-point. B+
OFFICIALLY MISSING yOU- Produced by 7, this was the first single off the CD which made ends at Urban AC outlets and some Urban. I did not initially like the song mainly because I do not think it is a good lead, first single but it is a lovely song that really fits Tamia's voice. I heard this is a remake of an earlier song and it is good. Soft and calm. A
STILL- Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox. If there is a song that has potential to crossover into various formats, this is the one. This is definitely the best song on the CD. Tamia's vocals are great and really fit the song. The arrangement is great and this slow but mid-tempo song has a good message of still loving someone after being together for such a long time. It is a refreshing song. A+
QUESTIONS- 2nd single which has made some gains on the charts. I really liked this song the first time I heard it but it has worn on me but it is a good song. It is definitely a slow jam that we have all heard time and time again but it is nice nonetheless. Produced by R Kelly. A
WHISPERS- Produced by Joshua Nile, this slow, Quiet Storm sounds like a song I heard before but I cannot place it. "Whispeer swweet nothings in my ear." The song which is in a higher key fits Tamia's vocals well. The song is one of those laidback, nightime, Midnight Love songs. A-
I'M yOURS LATELY- Produced by Poke and Tone and Spanador, it sounds alot like ON MY WAY in a way. It has that cool, highway feel to it but it sounds like one of those Pop/R&B joints from the late 90s and like most of the other faster songs on the disc, it is not innovative and is just plain unorignal. The chorus is kinda annoying. B
INTO yOU- The big hit featuring Fabolous and produced by CLUE and DURO that we have all heard time and time again. There is nothing to really say about this track. Beautiful song. A
SMILE- Produced by Babyface and it kinda sounds like a Babyface track. This slow song is very good actually. The song fits Tamia's high, pure and angelic vocals well. This is one of the better tracks that showcase her vocals well. A
POETRY- Probably one of the best songs on the CD. This more original and very creative song that talks about "making it like poetry" is produced by Joshua Nile and the Phantom. The song is very good from the arrangements to the vocals and everything just simply works. A new and nice spin on a song. A+
MR. COOL- Featuring Mario Winans and produced by him, this is one of the uptempo or faster tracks that work. Probably because of Winans' more original production. The song is fun, is lively and very positive talking about that Mr. or translated Mrs. Cool in whoever's life. Mario adds some depth to the song as well. A
THEY LONG TO BE CLOSE TO yOU- Produced by and featuring Gerald Levert (Edwin Nichols), this song is a remake of a song I never heard. Just like Luther's and Beyonce's remake, this one works unlike some others that do not. Both of their vocals complement one another and Gerald does not over sing or over power Tamia. One of those heartfelt duets that bring back many of the old school even to those like me who are not a part of the old school. A
WHY ASK WHY- Produced by Mario Winans, Mario shows that he is a strong and good producer. This slow jam that has an original quality and aspect to it with the whispers and the why the keyboard is programmed and the shimmers (hard to explain) makes this a good cut. A
TOMORROW- Produced by Shep Crawford, this Gospel song that talks about the fact that tomorrow is not promised shows that this girl has some chops and a love for God. I did not know that she could sing quite this well and she makes one feel the song. Check out the note she holds in the song. It is unbelievable. A+
The CD is stronger with the ballads and slower cuts. The biggest problem is the uptempo or faster songs that are too formulaic and too 90s sounding thanks to Poke and Tone. Mario Winans lends two of the better tracks to the CD. R Kelly does well as does Jermaine Dupri and Cox on STILL. Tamia is a great vocalist with an impressive range, a very pure and natural soprano. The CD is good but she needs that killer material that fully shows her range and personality from slow to fast cuts. That is what is missing. What is Tamia's personality. I did not find one throughout the 14 tracks. The CD is good but Tamia gotta take us to that next level now. This is the 3rd one and she needs more producers like Kelly and Mario to do it. POETRY a new and creative track shows us a deeper and different side of Tamia. This is a nice CD save the few missteps.
