I once dubbed R. Kelly to be an artist that, no matter what he did, it would always be at the very least something that is appealing in terms of sound. With this new release, I sort of regret saying it. First off, it's good to know what you're diving into when buying this album: its half "dance" half "gospel". Some would call the "dance" half to be "feel-good" music. I would call it "running out of ideas". The very fact that each song (except "The Greatest Show on Earth") sounds like sub par remixes of "Step In The Name of Love" is bad enough. But then add the fact that lyrically, the songs sound like they were made without an ounce of effort. Songs like "Red Carpet (Pause, Flash"), "If I Could Make The World Dance", and "Love Street" are irritably aggravating, consisting mainly of repeating the hook. There are those slightly passable songs like "Love Signal" and "Ladies Night (Treat Her Like Heaven)", but they are nothing compared to his previously released tracks. All this applies to the "gospel" side as well. There isn't any real highlight, mainly because most of the songs sound forced, long-winded, and are so sappy, it would make "Aunt Jemima" marvel. When the only real highlight of a 21-track album is "Happy People", it should ring a bell to scrap and re-think. This album is a huge unfortunate step back from 2003's "Chocolate Factory". To think that this is the same guy that sang, "When A Woman's Fed Up", "You Remind Me of Something", and "Down Low (Nobody Has To Know)", it makes you wonder what most of the music world has degenerated into. You can be a fan, but until R. Kelly releases something better, it'd best to listen to his previous albums "R.", "12 Play", or "R. Kelly".

R. Kelly's "Happy People/U Saved Me" is pretty straightforward in concept: one disc is filled with upbeat positive messages, and the other is inspirational, with themes of salvation, redemption, and faith. We'll start with the first disc, since that's the better of the two. On "Happy People," Kelly takes on the role of a DJ in the fictitious LOVE radio station. Here, we get songs like "Ladies Night," "If," and "Love Street," which all have hooks strong enough to sink Jaws. Easily, every other jam could be released as a single and has "hit" written all over it. On "U Saved Me," Kelly gets his praise on, serving up a platter of gospel-themed tunes that hold up, even when the disc occasionally has lyrics that resort to inspirational cliches we've all heard on Sunday mornings. Kelly Price, Kim Burrell, and Maurice Mahon join the big R on "3-Way Phone Call," one of the better songs on "You Saved Me," while Kelly also holds up on "I Surrender" and another favorite of mine, "Prayer Changes." Unfortunately, he does resort to melodrama on "Leap of faith," the disc's one true misfire. Still, the virtues outweigh the flaws, and "Happy People/U Saved Me" comes out a winner. His current troubles may make it difficult for some (myself included) to justify buying his records, but his latest double disc reminds us how talented R. Kelly really is.

I bought this cd because it was on sale. I did not even realize he had a new cd out. I like R Kelly and all his previous music, but I did not like this double cd set. The first cd "Happy People" was ok lots of stepping beats and so on. All the tracks sound the same to me, the best track is the last one "Happy People" The second cd was gospel, I did not like it at all It was a big disappointment. Maybe he should have sung some upbeat tunes instead of all slow ones. No one should judge this man by whats going on in his personal life, he is still very talented but this is not his best work to date.

I've been looking forward to this album ever since I heard the Happy People single. The R promised a two disc album with one disc dedicated to stepping music, and the other dedicated to a spiritual vibe. All I can say is that he most certainly delivered the goods. I find this to be an amazing album. With each new project, Kelly rises to new levels. This is a mature feel-good album that can be played around people of all ages. I praise R. Kelly for providing music that doesn't offend, degrade, or serve to defeat those who are faced with socioloical limitations. Disc one is smooth, care free, and fun. Disc two is inspiring, insightful, and uplifting. This is an album that will mark a place in time for everyone who is drawn to the creative touch of one of the greatest R & B artists of this generation.

R. Kelly released two albums, Happy People and U Saved Me, so here are my views on both.

R. Kelly - Happy People (Jive, 2004)

This album capitalizes on the "stepping" dance craze that's popular in the Midwest, moer specifically his hometown, Chicago. But if you're not from the Midwest, you'll probably think that this album sounds like a lot of "Step in the Name of Love" remixes. The title track is the highlight here and most of the other tracks follow the same formula (some even use the same beat). "If I Could Make the World Dance" and the ballad "The Greatest Show on Earth" break up the sameness nicely. Happy People is designed more to play for a stepping party than to listen at home. -EJR

R. Kelly - U Saved Me (Jive, 2004)

U Saved Me shows R.'s spiritual side. Things start off interestingly with "3-Way Phone Call" (featuring Kelly Price and Kim Burrell). This sung conversation between all of them contains moving lyrics but if you recall past R. Kelly-penned "conversational songs" like The Isley Brothers' "Contagious", "Busted", Kelly Price's "Friend of Mine" remix or Nivea's "Laundromat", this may sound like a tired gimmick. The title track is the best song as R. plays three different people giving their testimonies; unfortunately, "Prayer Changes" sounds more like "U Saved Me Part II". While the rest of the tracks run tepidly, "Spirit" becomes the only other highlight. -EJR

Conclusion: While neither album is better or worse than the other and while no song is weak, both albums feel formulaic because of the same songs being heard over and over again. More themes or even trimming down to a single disc would make this release stronger. R. Kelly's last double-album, 1998's R., suffered from repetition and this one is no different.