Jagged Edge J.E. Heartbreak CD

Jagged Edge: Brian Casey, Brandon Casey, Kyle Norman, Richard Wingo (vocals).
Additional personnel: Ja Rule, Jermaine Dupri (vocals); Bryan Cox, Gary "Gizzo" Smith (various instruments); Kevin Hicks (guitar, programming); Bob Robinson (guitar); Noray Driggs (programming); Anthena Cage (background vocals).
Producers include: Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Teddy Bishop, Gary "Gizzo" Smith, Kevin Hicks.
Engineers include: Bryan Cox, Brian Frye, Jason Rome.
Principally recorded at Krosswire, Silent Sound & Noontime Studios, Atlanta, Georgia.
All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.
So So Def wisely held back the release of Jagged Edge's second album, J.E. Heartbreak, originally scheduled for the fall of 1999, into early 2000, by which time advance single "He Can't Love U" had become a major hit, thus setting the album up to best the gold-selling success of their debut album, A Jagged Edge. That said, the group's slavish obeisance to current R&B conventions continued to be its aesthetic stumbling block. As producer/writer Jermaine Dupri's answer to Boyz II Men, Jagged Edge turned out another set full of slow jams indistinguishable from what was already all over urban radio. Their one attempt at something actually edgy came with "Girl Is Mine," but it was marred by one of those drop-out-laden clean edits of what was no doubt a vulgarity-laced rap by Ja Rule (Why even bother to bring in a rapper if you are only going to cut his rap to ribbons?). Mostly, the group was much more tasteful, with twin brothers Brian and Brandon Casey contributing lyrics of romantic devotion culminating with "Let's Get Married." It could only be hoped that, having made their commercial breakthrough, Jagged Edge would aim for an artistic breakthrough next time. ~ William Ruhlmann
So So Def wisely held back the release of Jagged Edge's second album, J.E. Heartbreak, originally scheduled for the fall of 1999, into early 2000, by which time advance single "He Can't Love U" had become a major hit, thus setting the album up to best the gold-selling success of their debut album, A Jagged Edge. That said, the group's slavish obeisance to current R&B conventions continued to be its aesthetic stumbling block. As producer/writer Jermaine Dupri's answer to Boyz II Men, Jagged Edge turned out another set full of slow jams indistinguishable from what was already all over urban radio. Their one attempt at something actually edgy came with "Girl Is Mine," but it was marred by one of those drop-out-laden clean edits of what was no doubt a vulgarity-laced rap by Ja Rule (Why even bother to bring in a rapper if you are only going to cut his rap to ribbons?). Mostly, the group was much more tasteful, with twin brothers Brian and Brandon Casey contributing lyrics of romantic devotion culminating with "Let's Get Married." It could only be hoped that, having made their commercial breakthrough, Jagged Edge would aim for an artistic breakthrough next time. ~ William Ruhlmann
Four-man R&B group Jagged Edge is one of the more talented such outfits in early 21st-century R&B. JE HEARTBREAK represents a smooth transition from the group's debut, A JAGGED ERA. Songs like "Did She Say," "Girl Is Mine," and "Can I Get With You" offer a street-vibe leavened by sweet vocal harmonies. Producers Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Gary "Gizzo" Smith, and Teddy Bishop provide a welcome mix of street tracks and ballads. Other standouts include "Keys to the Range," "Love You," "True Man," and the make-no-mistake-about-it "Let's Get Married." Sometimes mature and intellectual, other times thugged out, Jagged Edge keeps you tuned in from first listen.Vibe (10/99, p.187) - "...a sizzling selection of R&B jams....Deliciously sensual from beginning to end, JE HEARTBREAK is proof positive that these Jagged brothas are completely smooth around the edges."