Once Again (CD - 2006)

Personnel: John Legend (vocals, piano, organ, keyboards, background vocals); Tom Craskey (vocals, guitar, piano); Raphael Saadiq (guitar, bass guitar); Chris Bruce, David Torn , Doyle Bramhall, Evan Conquest, Rob "Fonksta" Bacon, Sharief Hobley (guitar); Dave Tozer (acoustic guitar, piano, drum programming); Sandra Parl, Krystof Kuznik, Sarah OBoyle, Kurn Lu, Jung Sun Yoo, Wen Qian, Soo Hyun Kwon, Caterina Szepes, Sandra Park, Lisa Kim, Sharon Yamada, Katherine Fong (violin); Karen Dreyfus, Nick Cords (viola); Elizabeth Dyson (cello); Helen Campo, Diva Goodfriend Koven (alto flute); Steve Williamson (clarinet); Shelley Woodworth (oboe); Steve Tirpak (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone); Julie Landsman (French horn); Art Baron (trombone); Jerry Freeman, Jason Freeman , Corey Hogan, Richard L. Owens , Kebbi Williams (horns); Eric Hudson (piano, bass guitar); Ron Fair (piano); Chris Rob (organ); Didi Gutman, Jamie Muhoberac, Patrick Warren, Keith Harris (keyboards); David Piltch (bass guitar); will.i.am (drums, drum programming); Larry Eagle, Bobby Ozuna, Mark Biobdi, Earl Harvin, Harvey Mason, Sr. , Robert Ozuna (drums); Jack Splash (drum programming); Ken Lewis (sampler); Lenesha Randolph, Vaughn Anthony, Sasha Allen, Tara Michel (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Tony Maserati.

Recording information: Blakeslee Recording Company, North Hollwood, CA; Cosmic Dust Recorders, Los Angeles, CA; Integrated Studios, New York, NY; Right Track, New York, NY; Sear Sound, New York, NY; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; Spiral Recording, Los Angeles, CA; Studio Crash, Philadelphia, PA; Sunset Sound Factory, Los Angeles, CA; The Cutting Room, New York, NY; The Looking Glass, New York, NY; The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA; The Studio, Philadelphia, PA.

Photographer: Danny Clinch.

Arranger: Daniele Luppi.

If John Legend hadn't made his name working with Kanye West, producing Jay-Z, and playing on Lauryn Hill's classic THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL, his 2004 studio debut GET LIFTED would have still established him as a true frontrunner in the world of R&B. His studio follow-up, 2006's ONCE AGAIN, is better than its predecessor; the music is still steeped in vintage 1960s- and '70s-flavored R&B, but Legend's songcraft, productions, and nuanced singing are even more appealing.

Most impressively (especially for someone who swapped his birth name for "Legend"), the music is remarkably understated, subtle, and textured. The cool-toned groove of the album's lead-off single, "Save Room," is a case in point, as is the beautiful, mid-tempo "Show Me," which floats on intricate electric guitar patterns and swelling strings. The vibe is deep on ONCE AGAIN, and beautifully restrained; the productions are contemporary and tinged with hip-hop aesthetic, yet they're never overbearing. Horns, piano, tasteful strings, and a pulsing rhythm section provide a sweet canvas for Legend's seductive croon and falsetto swoops. ONCE AGAIN is a true soul record, and Legend is rapidly gaining on his competitors as the king of the neo-soul mountain.

Get Lifted netted John Legend a major hit ("Ordinary People") that will be heard on adult contemporary stations and throwback-oriented programs as long as they exist, platinum status, and three Grammy titles -- including the potential kiss of death that is Best New Artist. If Legend hadn't linked up with Kanye West or any other connected industry figure, he'd probably be well into a string of independent albums and would likely have a fanatical cult following through persistent touring. It doesn't take much exposure to his songs to sense this alternate scenario. No one can deny that Legend has had considerable help from his collaborators, and he continues to get that support this time out -- there's West, will.i.am, Sa-Ra, Raphael Saadiq, Plant Life's Jack Splash, and a massive crew of session musicians, but it's already evident that Legend only needs a piano to get by. Even with its many producers, Once Again is much more focused than Get Lifted, and the quality of its songs is equally high. Legend's obviously doing everything in his power to not fall off. He pours so much of himself into each one of these songs, whether they're about flings with groupies or breakups with long-term girlfriends, that the album can begin to wear around the eighth track. The songs flit back and forth between easygoing, butterflies-of-love-type sentiments and deep drama, with both sides expressed through similar levels of intensity. As much as anyone else, Legend would benefit from the recent (and generally welcomed) return of the 40-minute R&B album. If the album is missing something, it's a snappy, unapologetically swaggering track in the vein of Get Lifted's "Used to Love U," or perhaps a song or two that doesn't seem intent on displaying impressive musicality, but there are enough undeniably bright spots to please those who have already been won over. While Once Again might not get as much attention as its predecessor, it's more assured and sounds nothing like an experiment to see what sticks. Legend now knows exactly where he fits, and he's not holding back in the least. ~ Andy Kellman minimize