February 17th in Europe, 18th in USA.

Tracklisting of the 2CD set:

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 - Kelly, R. & Ja Rule
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 - Kelly, R. & Ron Isley
16. Snake - Kelly, R. & Big Tigger
17. Whos' that - Kelly, R. & Fat Joe
18. Loveland
19. All I want to do
20. Heaven I need a hug
21. World's greatest
22. Far more
23. Raindrops
24. Apologies of a thug

Interview with R (In the last thirty minutes of two hour show but "Been Around The World" is played earlier. Check tracklistings at the website):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radi...tml?nelson

Video diary explaining the background to the interview:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radi..._jan03.ram

Post your thoughts on the music...

i was going 2 buy it on 12" vinyl, but it's probably gonna b more $$ if i bought it like that. I guess i have 2 get the CD

paisleypark4 said:

All modern albums come out in LP format still? Get the CDs yeah. Only weak link I've heard from CF thus far is "Been Around The World" because it has Ja Rule talking all over it.

Essence said:

Yeah man, i heard it is a hot album, one of his finest in years supposedly...

Essence said:

Got it. Superb! Arguably his best ever album, definitely as good as the best half of "R" and miles ahead of the last one. Three of the songs are Stevie, Marvin and BT & H soundalikes, but they're very good nonetheless. Shame the motherfucker's as sick as he is talented.

nas3110 said:

Can't wait to hear it. Only thing that kept me from ordering it in time for release date is the 19 song tracklists used on many websites. Wanted to make sure there aren't alternate versions... yours is 24 right?

the cover alone makes me want it!

Essence said:

24 tracks, from the great opener "Chocolate Factory" to the closing "Apologies Of A Thug" from the "Loveland" bonus. Much of the music on here is great, soaring life-affirming stuff, which is all the more remarkable when you consider the conditions he made it in. If that was me I'd have made twenty Radiohead albums.
[This message was edited Mon Feb 17 12:10:27 PST 2003 by nas3110]

nas3110 said:

Have you heard the full bootlegged "Loveland" album? It's a must have in it's own right.

On the interview link I posted R talks about discovering the material had been leaked when a car pulled up at traffic lights blaring out a track he had only been mixing that day in the studio.

Right Now the Best Album I've heard this Year.R.Kelly is back in a Big Time Way Watch Out.He is the Current King of Modern R&B for a Decade Now&this Set shows nothing in His way of Slowing Him down.

Essence said:

yeah about a Year ago to the Day I had a Couple of On-Line Buddys who Know I dig 70's Era based Music&they told Me you are gonna Love these Songs.I'm Glad He is back Musically.He is a Badd Cat in the Studio.these Songs were Floating Quickly.

Thanx 4 the linx Essence.

Its a damn shame how did the brutha end up becoz he was(still is) the baddest RnB playa. All of them fools coped his shit and they walk with str8 faces telling everybody that they come up with their own shit. Quincy Jones & Mr.Biggs believe in him and very proud of him.

I got all of his LPs and I attend 2 buy this mutha

What's with the red ribbon on the cover? Is that the actual cover or is it covering up something?

classic77 said:

Isnt it suposed to be like a gift wrapped box of chocolates?..all for 9.99 at Best Buy.

rdhull said:

I haven't heard about that one,but everytime I see the cover it has that big red ribbon on it.

classic77 said:

In the ads it looks like a box of chocolates giftwrapped..not to be confused with chakalates

classic77 said:

Yeah in the interview I linked to he talks about his music factory/studio churning out the greatest variety of styles yet. Hence "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get...", hence a chocolate box wrapped in a ribband as cover.

R.Kelly is the Most Versatile Cat with His Fusion,OF R&B,POP&Hip-HOP going now.

mistermaxxx said:

I dont get it..do you like R Kelly music or not?

rdhull said:

I think you'll find he doesn't just like it, he loves it.

rdhull said:

Big R.Kelly Fan.Followed His Career for Years&the Cat is Mad Prolific&still Has His A game with this New Album.I think He is the Best Artist in the Business Today of the Current Crop since the 90's overall Easily IMHO.

Ignition is the 1st single from the LP its already to No. 2 on the R&B charts and the video is in rotation on BET and MTV. The streets love Mr. Robert like crazy.

mistermaxxx said:

Oh..cause I couldnt tell with all the comments you make about arrahh

Essence said:[quote]

nas3110 said:

Have you heard the full bootlegged "Loveland" album? It's a must have in it's own right.


No, I haven't, unfortunately. What's it like? How many songs has the complete version got on it? The "Loveland" bonus disc is a masterpiece in its own right - easily the best thing he's ever done.

rdhull said:

it's pretty Obvious that I dig the Cat's Work.He spoke on How Versatile He is&how He makes His Brand of R&B,Pop&Hip-Hop Takes Work.

Harlepolis said:

It's the remix on video rotation though right? Both original and remix available as singles in US I think, although strangely there's been no lead off single before the album here in Europe. He better get on the promo trail...

rdhull said:

Haha come on man, on his LP release date R is allowed multiple praises per ID per thread.

Essence said:

His Re-Mixes get alot of Play&always do fairly well.

Essence said:

true I guess
[This message was edited Mon Feb 17 15:39:11 PST 2003 by rdhull]