Love Always - K-Ci & JoJo (Cassette 1997)

As one half of the hip hop generation awesome foursome Jodeci, K-Ci and Jo Jo Hailey were the harbingers of a new era in American r & b. They along their Uptown labelmate, Mary J. Blige ushered in the era now known as hip hop soul. Blessed with powerful soulful voices rooted in the African American gospel tradition, the sibling duo has always stood out on Jodeci's
hits "Come And Talk To Me""Cry" and "Lately". What made them standout so was their churchy vocals juxtaposed against a sonic canvas of hip hop inspired beats and r & b melodies. With the solo debut Love Always, K-Ci and Jo Jo take a gigantic leap toward advancing the classic Blacksouth tradition of soul singing that made Jodeci a household names in this country.
For die hard Jodeci fans Love Always won't disappoint. It has the classic sound and feel of Jodeci. The main reason for this the fact that Jodeci vocal arrangements were largely based on two-part harmony with K-Ci and Jo Jo's voices serving as the foundation. Though the LP's lead single "You Bring Me Up," a funky mid-tempo track that will sure get feet tapping , as always with project the Haileys are involved with, it is the ballads that steal the show. Heart-wrenching pain-filled ballads such as the intensely autobiographical "Last Night Letter" written by K-Ci or the haunting waltz-like "Still Waiting" or the stellar cover of LTD's classic Love Ballad make Love Always a record to remember.