CHOCOLATE FACTORY was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album. "Step In The Name Of Love" was nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
In an effort to distract himself from the myriad post-millennial legal woes dogging him, R. Kelly retreated to the studio where in true fashion, he wrote, sang, produced, and arranged his sixth album CHOCOLATE FACTORY. In trying to escape from his personal problems, Kelly succeeded in coming up with a lengthy outing infused with the kind of slow soul that brings to mind great names like Al Green and Marvin Gaye. The laid-back harmonies and testimonial fervor of "Forever" scream Gamble & Huff-produced Stylistics, light funk beats propel "You Knock Me Out," and the remix of "Step In the Name of Love" finds the Chicago native lifting Gaye's phrasing from the "What's Goin' On" era and pumping it into this mid-tempo jam.
Breaking up this solo slow-jam fest are guest shots by Ja Rule (an embattled "Been Around the World"), Ronald Isley (the skit-song "Showdown"), and Fat Joe (the Latin-pop-flavored "Who's That".) Although CHOCOLATE FACTORY could stand a bit of trimming, its musical essence reflects a rich talent whose personal travails could never negate anything he might be able to bring to the creative table.
Recorded at Rockland Studios, Chicago, Illinois.
Personnel includes: R. Kelly (vocals); Donnie Lyle (guitar, bass); Rodney East (keyboards); Henry Love (congas); Christina DeLeon (background vocals); Ja Rule, Ronald Isley, Big Tigger, Fat Joe.
Rolling Stone (12/25/03, p.107) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Best Albums of 2003" Rolling Stone (2/6/03, p.61) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...As a singer, songwriter and producer, he's at the top of his game..." Entertainment Weekly (2/28/03, pp.77-78) - "...A collection of the sort of steamy, silky slow jams at which Kelly...has always excelled..." - Rating: B- Vibe (4/03, pp.173-4) - 4 discs out of 5 - "...R. Kelly has always walked the line between sinner and saint. This time, however, we see the stumbles and glimpse one man's weaknesses and human frailties..." Mojo (Publisher) (5/03, p.100) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...CHOCOLATE FACTORY seems positively inspired....An impressively varied opus..."
1 - Chocolate Factory 2 - Step in the Name of Love 3 - Heart of a Woman 4 - I'll Never Leave 5 - Been Around the World 6 - You Made Me Love You 7 - Forever 8 - Dream Girl 9 - Ignition 10 - Ignition [Remix] 11 - Forever More 12 - You Knock Me Out 13 - Step in the Name of Love [Remix] 14 - Imagine That 15 - Showdown 16 - Snake 17 - Who's That
R. Kelly Is Still Talented Great CD. Thoroughly enjoyed and I love the Two Step. Submitted by a reviewer (Columbus, OH, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful. This review is for a different format.
i just love this cd because that itis the bobm. i just love this cd because that the whole cd is off of the hook and that my favorite song is i'll never leave and showdown and forever more but that make the long story short is the whole cd is slamming and that all of r kelly cd is off of the hook to me because that i have everylast one of r kelly cd now and that r kelly keep up the good work . Submitted by corywilliams (memphis tn) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Nice I Love it. Submitted by a reviewer (poplar bluff,mo) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Off Da Chain!! One of R's Best albums. Every song is slammin. No doubt he's back!! Submitted by music-codes8 (TN,USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
HE'S BACK There is only one thing to say-"R. Kelly IS THE MAN"! Never fails to delivers! Submitted by a reviewer (new york,ny) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
R. Kelly Is Still Talented
i just love this cd because that itis the bobm.
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