As I Am (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Alicia Keys (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, harpsichord, Wurlitzer organ, Mellotron, bass synthesizer, Moog synthesizer, vocoder, background vocals); Alicia Keys (synthesizer, string synthesizer, programming); Jack Splash (various instruments, programming); John Salvatore Scaglione (guitar, guitars); John Mayer (guitar, background vocals); Ron Haney, Peter Thorn, Rony Henry, John Jubu Smith (guitar); Everette K. Harp (saxophone); Darryl Dixon , Darryl Dixon (alto saxophone); David Stout (trumpet); Mark Batson (piano, Clavinet, Hammond b-3 organ, Moog synthesizer, programming, drum programming); Damon Fox (Hammond b-3 organ, Mellotron, Moog synthesizer); Mark Robohm, Mark Robham, Steve Jordan , Steve Jordan (drums); L.C. Green, L. Green (background vocals); David Ryan Harris (guitar); Steve Mostyn (acoustic guitar, bass guitar); David Watson (tenor saxophone); Carl Maraghi (baritone saxophone); Duane Eubanks, Jumaane Smith (trumpet); Jason Sugata (French horn); Harry Kim (trombone); Michael Dease (tenor trombone, bass trombone); Ryan Keberle (tenor trombone); Linda Perry (piano, background vocals); Paul Ill, Sean Hurley (bass guitar); Trevor Lawrence (drums, percussion); Kerry Brothers (drum programming); Alonzo "Novel" Stevenson, Harold Lilly (background vocals); Ann Mincieli.

Additional personnel: John Mayer .

Audio Mixer: Manny Marroquin.

Recording information: Glenwood Studios, LA; Oven Studios, NY.

Photographer: Thierry Le Goues.

Arrangers: Alicia Keys; Jack Splash.

The third full-length from contemporary R&B diva Alicia Keys is called AS I AM, a title that adequately reflects the album's straightforward, confessional soul-pop. Keys built her popularity making stylish, reflective, voice-&-piano music; AS I AM continues that trend, albeit in a poppier vein that balances neatly between neo-soul and adult contemporary. This is reflected in the mid-tempo grooves, songs of empowerment ("Superwoman"), and stirring ballads ("The Thing About Love").

Keys's collaborators on the album include songwriter Linda Perry, who co-wrote three of the album's tracks, and John Mayer, who twines voices with Keys on the sensual "Lesson Learned." Top-notch arrangements, which include gorgeous, retro-tinged flourishes via strings and horns, make the set shimmer, but it's the strength of the hook-heavy tunes and Keys's moving performances that make AS I AM stick. It's not the five-star album she's capable of, but it leaves little doubt that Keys is moving steadily in that direction. minimize