Robert Kelly [2022] - I ADMIT IT [Legacy Recordings] (Full Album)

Billed as Robert Kelly (on the Bandcamp release), this album is a collection of released and unreleased (for obvious reasons?) R. Kelly songs, many of which have been floating around on YouTube and other internet sources for a many years but mainly from 2018 onwards. In fact, "Air" was uploaded to Spotify a few weeks ago as a single which I drafted and agonised whether to post or not in the circumstances and decided not to.

Sony Music is distancing itself from, what they describe as, an unofficial release (they claim it's a bootleg even though the copyright states there music catalogue division Legacy Recordings they did not sanction it) which was released on digital platforms on Friday including Spotify, who must have since removed it as it is no longer there, but it is available on Bandcamp. I understand that Apple has now also removed it.

It transpires that the company behind the release is Real Talk Entertainment and there is speculation that that may have acquired the rights when Kelly's contract with Sony was terminated in 2019.

The title of the album "I Admit It" is derived from a 19 minute song "I Admit" that Kelly released in Jul 2018 in which denies the sexual-misconduct allegations against him for which he was convicted of in Jun 2022 and is currently serving a 30 year sentence. The song is split into three parts on the album.

Inevitably, I suspect, this album will be taken down by Bandcamp, so if you want it you know what to do! Whether it is legal or not is questionable which will no doubt increase demand for it!

Musically, for me at least, the first half of the album are the best tracks and they deteriorate as the album progresses with the first two tracks, "Air", the very Marvin Gaye'ish  "Planet" and "Where's Love, When You Need It" (which harps back to the stepping days of his "Chocolate Factory" / "Happy People" period) being the standouts

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul / R&B
Format:	Album / Bootleg?
Media:	Digital
Label:	Legacy Recordings
Cat No:	None
Date:	09/12/2022
Price:	$7.99

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Shaft 50th Anniversary

Today sees the 50th anniversary of the first screening of the legendary cult Blaxploitation movie "Shaft" starring Richard Roundtree and the seminal soundtrack by Isaac Hayes for which he won an Oscar, Grammy and BAFTA for "Best Original Song" for the title track in 1972. 

What better excuse then to post of few of the tracks, not least R. Kelly's modern soul classic from the 2000 remake soundtrack (Music From And Inspired By Shaft), not available anywhere else other than the soundtrack release.

Also Ian Levine's reworking of  Cafe Regio's (the flip side of "Theme From Shaft" 45) by Gary The Master Blaster with a sped up instrumental which adds a rap from a legendary Miami WCKO radio DJ. It was originally recorded in 1998 and was the first release on Neil Rushton and Phil Dick's Soul Intention label in 2010.

Also, the 2009 mix of the title track by way of a change as well an 80s version by Eddy & The Soul Band which features Mahogany on backing vocals from 1985 (both 12" mixes).

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

R. Kelly [2002] - Heaven I Need A Hug [Jive #01241-41849-2]

I thought it was timely to post this track whilst we are in the midst of UK Lockdown #2. It is taken from the 'Loveland' bonus disc which was issued with the US limited edition release of 'The Chocolate Factory' album in 2003.

Apparently 'Loveland' was scheduled to be the follow up album to 'TP-2' in Nov 2002, but was delayed due to heavy bootlegging.  It was then dropped and 'The Chocolate Factory' was released in 2003 with 7 tracks from 'Loveland' issued as a bonus disc on a special edition US release.  Loveland originally had 15 tracks.

Bootlegs of 'Love Land' have been blocked from sale on Discogs, hence I would imagine they are pretty hard to come by.