Donell Jones Where I Wanna Be CD

Personnel includes: Donell Jones (vocals, various instruments, drum programming); Eddie Ferrell, Darren Lightly (various instruments); Sheldon Goode (acoustic guitar); Serban Ghenea (electric guitar); Tomi Martin (guitar); Kyle West (keyboards); Omar Phillips (percussion); Wesley Hogges, Scott Gaddy (drum programming); Left-Eye.
Producers: Donell Jones, Eddie "Eddie F." Ferrell, Darren Lightly, Wesley Hogges, Eric Williams.
Engineers include: Mike Alvord, Rich Keller, Andrew Cardenas.
Donell Jones first gained attention as a songwriter and producer for such smooth urban soul groups as Usher, Silk, Brownstone, and 702, which led Babyface to sign the singer/songwriter to LaFace. His debut album was a solid R&B hit, sketching out a jazzy, soulful variation on Babyface's smooth urban-pop, which he fills in with his second album, Where I Wanna Be. On the surface of things, Jones may sound similar to a lot of his peers, but there's a greater sense of musical sophistication in his music. There are light touches of jazz, suave electric pianos, and an easy seductiveness to the entire production. Where I Wanna Be is actually a savvy update of early-'80s quiet storm -- it's a little sexier and a little sleeker, but the spirit is more reminiscent of that era than the late '90s (with the noticeable exception of Jones' tendency to oversell his vocals slightly). At times, the album relies more on style than substance, but it's crafted well, so the slips into filler aren't painful at all. Actually, the very fact that the infrequent bits of filler are enjoyable is a testament to Jones' talents as a performer and record-maker -- he knows how to deliver the weaker moments with elegance. And those moments don't arrive all that often on Where I Wanna Be. For much of the album, Jones hits the right tone -- balancing mood, song, and performance quite alluringly. It gets him and the listener where they wanna be. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
The man most known for penning the Usher hit single "Think of You," Donell Jones returns to the R&B music scene with his second effort WHERE I WANNA BE. His blend of smooth harmonies and mid-tempo grooves places him among an elite class of R&B artists. With his first album, Donell Jones maintained a low profile with songs made strictly for the clubs. But on "U Know What's Up," Jones keeps that underground feel, while managing to put a commercial spin on his music. Other songs like "Think About It (Don't Call My Crib)" and "Shorty (Got Her Eyes on Me)" showcase Donell's unique songwriting talent. With a sound reminiscent of the '80s R&B group Loose Ends, WHERE I WANNA BE is neo-soul meets bump-n-grind music.Rolling Stone (12/9/99, p.82) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...he's a loverman who'd rather cajole his would-be paramours than steamroll them....the swirling acoustic guitar graces the best tracks....between-the-sheets beats....no-nonsense grooves..."
Q (3/02, p.134) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Jones' vocals drip soul and his songs are memorable too, straying into funk at times..."
Muzik (11/99, p.125) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Quality stuff and a worthy successor to Jones' acclaimed debut."
Rap Pages (10/99, p.154) - "...versatile enough to chill to, but also funky enough to groove to....Without a doubt, WHERE I WANNA BE is appealing and phat work from an artist who has the substance and creativity to inspire audiences through his work." - Rating: B
Mojo (Publisher) (4/00, p.98) - "...Brilliant...this album does not disappoint and...really stands out when compared with a lot of the R&B blancmange that's on the radio these days."