Donell Jones - Life Goes On (2002)

Life Goes On is the third album from Chicago born singer/songwriter/producer Donell Jones. Since the single "U Know What's Up", featuring the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez, catapulted him into the international R&B spotlight in 2000, his sultry urban love songs have been winning over cynics with unnerving ease. But Jones' corresponding sophomore album Where I Wanna Be was a mere coquettish glance into the cauldron of simmering seductive sleaze that is his imagination. With grinding hip-hop-inspired grooves and lush sensual melodies aplenty, Life Goes On sees Jones lustily tackle every element of love paying particular attention to infidelity and, inevitably, sex. While his storytelling lyrical approach is at times charming, he seems unable to resist the temptation of adding some gratuitous filth: "I'll put some honey on you. It's a sticky situation we're bound to get into" he purrs on "Don't Leave". But, despite the occasional lack of subtly, Life Goes On is bulging with finely crafted mid-tempo moments such as "Still", dreamy ballads "Where You Are (Is Where I Wanna Be)" and even some feisty funk-fuelled dance ("Freakin' U"). It's simply irresistible. --Christopher Barrett