I was first introduced to Kelis when I heard the track "Caught Out There". Everyone in America was soon introduced to Kelis' famous statement, "I Hate You So Much Right Now!!!". Kelis' debut CD "Kaleidoscope" was different from any other CD that I had heard. Yes it was r&b music but Kelis' tracks didn't follow the same every day, radio play r&b track. My favorite track was her next single, "Get Along With You" and this CD was in heavy rotation for awhile. Kelis was due to release a 2nd CD for the longest time, "Wanderland" but for some reason the CD was only released overseas, which had many Kelis fans in a fit. One of the tracks "Popular Thug", which originally featured Pusha T of the Clipse was recycled for The Neptunes Presents "The Clones" CD, but featured Nas on the track instead. Kelis' next release in the states didn't occur until 2003's "Tasty". Although some people grew tired of her first single, "Milkshake" because the radio played the track all day, every day, Kelis proved that "Tasty" was far from a one hit wonder. Tracks like "Keep It Down", "Protect My Heart", "In Public" w/Nas, the crazy "Millionaire" w/Andre 3000 and the Raphael Saadiq produced, "Glow", proved that "Tasty" was an all around nice CD.

After you listen to "Kelis Was Here", the first thing that you will notice is that The Neptunes are no where to be found on this CD and unlike "Tasty", "Kelis Was Here" is not on Star Trak. What happened? That only remains to be seen but Kelis still manages to churn some hits out even without the famous 2 man beat team in Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. Kelis' 1st single, "Bossy" features the often retired, Too Short, who even in his forties can still drop a decent verse. Kelis gives a message that only the ladies can love to a tight Bangladesh beat. On "What's That Right Here", although Will I Am kicks out a funky Funkadelic sample, you can't help to think that this track was made for Fergie and not Kelis. Kelis does her best to still make the song a decent effort, but you can't help to wonder when Fergie is going to start saying "London Bridge" on the track. Will I Am and Kelis work things 125% better on "Til The Wheels Fall Off" as you will swear that Kelis is Vanity or Appollonia and Will I Am does his best to re-create a beat from "Purple Rain". This is where Kelis is most comfortable and "Til The Wheels Fall Off" is definitely one of my favorite tracks on "Kelis Was Here". Kelis and Raphael Saadiq hook up once again on "Living Proof". Just as on "Til The Wheels Fall Off", the track sounds very 80ish and Kelis is talking about the fact that her current situation, most likely with her husband Nas is Living Proof that you can actually find your soulmate and there is love out there for everyone in the world. Kelis' 2nd single, "Blindfold Me" continues her tradition of making sexy uptempo jams that may be too risque for some people, but Kelis is almost at her best when she is able to be "free" on a track. Nas is featured on the version in her video but he is not on the version on the CD. Kelis slows things down on the Cool & Dre produced "Goodbyes". While she is her strongest most of the time on uptempo tracks, Kelis proves that she can still have good results when she makes a slow, midtempo track. The Raphael Saadiq produced "Circus", has Kelis explaining how shady the music industry and record labels can be. She gives examples throughout the track about how they just want you to make specific songs and to portray yourself to be something that you really aren't just to try to gain record sales and additional money. It's commendable that Kelis is able to be open and honest about the crooked ways of the music industry. "Weekend" is a decent track. The only problem that I had with the song is that the track sounds awfully familiar to the Janet Jackson song with the same title that isn't going to make the cut for her new "20 Y.O." CD which comes out on September 26th. Had I not heard the Janet Jackson song called "Weekend" first, I would probably like this track alot more. "Like You" is a playful song that has Kelis expressing how she feels about a particular man. Most Kelis' fans will like this track. "Awww S____", which is also produced by Bangladesh has the Kelis we have come to expect talkin' junk on the track like she did on "Milkshake". The track is very catchy and even if you don't like the song on the first listen, the song will begin to grow on you.

The track that caught me out of nowhere and ends up being my favorite track on here is the Cee Lo Green produced "Lil Star". Just in case you have been buried under a rock for all of 2006, Cee Lo Green, who is in Goodie Mob and a well known member of the Dungeon Family is 1/2 of Gnarles Barkley with DJ Danger Mouse. Cee- Lo is able to create a track for Kelis that is basically unlike any track that I have heard her sing on. This track may never be a single but if you are a fan of Kelis you definitely have to check this track out. It's midtempo but Kelis sings about not seeing herself as a big celebrity like some people think of themselves when they are out in the limelight in any form or fashion. Cee-Lo breaks things down on the chorus to let Kelis know while you may not see those qulaities in herself as being someone special, Cee-Lo sees things differently.

Other tracks worth checking out are the Scott Storch produced, "Trilogy", "Handful", which has Bangladesh on the boards again and "Appreciate Me". The only track that I have to use the skip button for is "Have A Nice Day", but after listening to the majority of "Kelis Was Here", you won't find too many tracks that are unbearable.

You can't help but think what some Neptunes' tracks may have done to this CD, however, Mrs. Jones wins you over with her overall personality and her unique style in this r&b game that has alot of people with no originality at all. If you enjoyed "Kaleidoscope" or "Tasty" or if you were one of the fortunate ones to hear "Wanderland", then you can not afford to pass up on "Kelis Was Here".

James' Top 5

1) Lil Star w/Cee-Lo

2) Til The Wheels Fall Off

3) Living Proof

4) Bossy w/Too Short

5) Blindfold Me

Ranking Kelis' Discography

1) Tasty

2) Kelis Was Here

3) Kaleidoscope

Kelis shows in this album how versatile her voice can be. It shows that she can have more hits then just a catchy song about milkshakes. The album has a real jazzy feel to it which she was able to mix with R&B/Hip Pop. I think she also made a wise choice by not giving herself a skanky cover and cheap pictures. Good job Kelis, I hope your next album will be another hit.

Obviously there is the hit Bossy that is so fun to move to and sing along with. For all of you that want more catchy tunes:

Blindfold Me: Impossibly sexy tune and fun lyrics

I Don't Think So: Fun song to yell at the top of lungs to, this song has a rock feel to it.

What's That Right There: This song is pretty good, either you will be attached to it or get annoyed by it.

Lil Star: Good song that has feeling put into it with a combination of upbeat male vocals then a more soothing voice from Kelis.

She has done it again. "Kelis Was Here" brings you even more delicious, beat packed sentious lyrics. Following the same flow of "Tasty", kelis ventures into even more of the ecentric while keeping what makes her so formidible. I can listen to this album all the way through and not skip a song. All the tracks are five stars, I could give this album rating a ten if i could. Her voice is still oozing like chocolate in all the songs. Mixing genres is Kelis' strength, and this album has accomplished what she has set out to do. Each track leaves you craving more, Kelis was there. She did that to you. Jazz, Blues, hip-hop, Kelis was there too. She has dabbled in it and you will be a culprit and addict wanting more. Add Kelis to you collection, put it in your cd player and leave it on repeat.

THIS IS THE FIRST KELIS ALBUM I HAVE PURCHASED, AND THIS IS ONLY BECAUSE I WATCHED THE LISTENING PARTY FOR HER ALBUM ON VH1 SOUL. EVERY SONG IS FIRE AND I TOLD MYSELF I WOULD HAVE TO BE CRAZY NOT TO COMP THIS ALBUM. I SOOO LOVE THIS ALBUM. EVERY TRACK HAS A BEAT THAT IS 'TO THE LEFT'. IT IS SOO DIFFERENT FROM ANY ALBUM OUT THERE AND THE PRODUCTION IS SLAMMING. ONLY A CREATIVE PERSON CAN MAKE AN ALBUM LIKE THIS AND HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO PUT IT OUT THERE. I HAVE A LOT OF FAVORITES ON THIS ALBUM. SOME ARE BLINDFOLD ME, CIRCUS, WEEKEND, APPRECIATE ME, AND OTHERS. THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW ALBUMS I OWN THAT I CAN LISTEN TO EVERY TRACK. I AM ALSO VERY APPRECIATIVE THAT SHE GAVE US MORE THAN 12 TRACKS WHICH WAS VERY GRACIOUS OF HER. WHEN I FIRST HEARD THIS ALBUM, THE VERY THING THAT CAME TO MIND WAS, SHE DESERVES A GRAMMY NOMINATION FOR BEST RNB ALBUM, BECAUSE THE GRAMMIES LOVES THE NON CONFORMING TYPE OF MUSIC, SO NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN SHE WAS ACTUALLY NOMINATED FOR BEST CONTEMPORARY RNB ALBUM AND TRUTH IS, I HOPE SHE WINS. ALL I CAN SAY IS, YOU GO KELIS!. I AM SOOO HAPPY SHE IS IN THIS INDUSRTRY TO SHOW YOU CAN TRUE TO YOURSELF AND MAKE A HOT ALBUM. THIS ALBUM IS A MUST HAVE. I BECAME A FAN WITH THIS ALBUM AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING BACK AND GETTING THE OTHER ALBUMS SHE'S RECORDED. YOU WILL NOT REGRET BUYING THIS ALBUM.

Kelis's fourth album maintains and still stands apart from other female R&B-pop sirens. I'm extremely happy with this album. I have been a true Kelis fan since the release of `Wanderland.' Kelis is a confident woman who brings a non traditional, progressive sound to music. She reveals how truly talented she is. There are so many beautifully constructed and delivered songs in this album. The styles on this album go from R&B, rock, hip hop, '80s new wave, classic soul, and rap. She even gives us a great mixture of ballads and club tracks. There is no shortage of music in here.

Once I first heard the intro I mistook it for a track because it was so catchy. The start out single `Bossy' (Featuring Too $hort) is great because it lets her fans and new listeners know who she is. `"Aww S***" ,' `I Don't,' `Handful,' `Appreciate Me,' and the hidden track called "F*** Them B****es" are some of Kelis's trademark clearly showing us what a tough person she is and what she represents- got to love it. She brings back the sexuality on `Whats That Right There,' and `Blindfold Me,' which is beautiful and the lyrics are nice. `Till the Wheels Fall Off Think,' `Living Proof,' bring in some great melody's, class, and funky beats that you'll won't resist. `Like you,' is one of my personal favorites because of the beats and the opera chorus held in the background it's so tight!

`Weekend (Featuring Wil.i.am)' is very infectious, uplifting beat with some fun lyrics. `Lil Star' is another personal favorite because it has an old school vibe and Cee Lo and Kelis's voice works so well together. In `Trilogy,' Kelis brings us to her world which is sweet because you would think the Neptunes had there hands on this track. `Goodbyes' is nice soft melody accompany by some great lyrics. `Circus' is good because Kelis brings out what most music artist probably stands for these days. And finally, `Have A Nice Day' - is a great ending because it's soft and joyful at the same time. After hearing this album I couldn't get enough. She is such a great artist that is so under appreciated.

`Kelis was here' is defiantly a very strong album. You can tell she has gone through a lot of changes in here. She has held on to her roots while branching out into this album. She is clearly one true artist.