Chapter 3: The Flesh

With Chapter 3: The Flesh, Syleena Johnson officially steps out of whatever was left of R. Kelly's shadow. Widely recognized as the R&B singer's most gifted protege, Johnson's previous albums showed her blossoming under Kelly's production, swimming in the same waters as soul sistahs like Alicia Keyes and Jill Scott. She makes a big fuss about the album's subject matter (in the album opener "The Flesh" as well as the liner notes), and she does appear to be trying to pull some kind of Janet Jackson-esque good girl gone sex pot makeover. The cover art and the title both belie the album's strengths, that being her talent with straight ahead soul and R&B, as well has her ability to shine alongside some of the greater names in the biz. The Flesh is a smart exploration of radio-friendly mid and up tempo fare and still shows her leaning more towards Mary J. than Whitney.

She does keep it a little sleazy and sexy on the album's second half, especially on obvious numbers like "Phone Sex" (with Twista) and "Slowly," the album's syrupy ode to good lovin'. She moans her way through "Only A Woman," a song that may stand the test of time as the best "time of the month" song ever. But the subjects of these songs wears thin, and don't entirely suit her, like "Leave Me Alone" a song about the snares and tangles of loving a married man.

The album absolutely soars when Syleena isn't quite as distracted by discussions of womanliness and she just keeps it real and funky. Since it would seem that every album this year requires a Kanye track, she earns her stripes with Mr. West's funk-a-fied beats on "Bull's Eye," her duet with the velvety voiced Common. She partners again with friend and mentor Kelly on the stunningly simple (and aptly titled) duet with Jermaine Dupri, "Classic Love Song," and on the oh-so ready for urban radio duo with NYC rapper Fabolous, "Hypnotic." Her stellar voice (Syleena is nothing if not one of the more notable R&B singers out there) blends beautifully with Anthony Hamilton's reliable and consistent talent on the lovely "More."

She keeps it jazzy on numbers like "Still Open." However, it's on "He Makes Me Say" where she pulls out all the stops and comes up with an old-school soul jam, the album's hands-down best song with its shaking beat, hip-hop flavors and her raw, unbridled talent. Although the album's somewhat awkward sexuality tips it off center at times, there are tracks and talent enough on this album to show that with a great team, Syleena definitely has the stuff -- and the voice -- to make timeless, classic soul music.

By Rachel Parker