JumpinJack AJ

well, idealy, all the people who visit this message board and Jeff's site should have already gotten it....so who's sleeping. And i agree that the internet has hurt the sales....it's done nothing but hurt everyone's sales. "Internet promotion" only seems 2 go so far. How many hit albums and songs have truely stemmed from internet promotion only?

When u are so fake in your music, u surprise people. I didn't watch the video cuz my computer would blow up. But i can imagin 50 Cent giving them props which would make me think "why is your music so bad and so stupid ...yet u give props 2 intellegent legends who were actually real in their music." I can imagin KRS-One being a team player like FP, who shows him respect even tho' crappy artists like him are torn apart in his music.

Praise God! New Latifah!! Life is good!! The show sounds interesting 2. Thanx 4 posting this!!!!!!!!

The only real promotion is done by Jeff himself by his touring and his interviews with usually small magazines. They sent out a promo for "Jeff N Fess" with "My Soul's Not For Sale" as the b-side (which i've heard on the radio kinda often on mature R-N-B/Classic R-N-B/Neo-Soul radio stations). There is no music video, posters, commercial or mainstream radio airplay. I can't say i expected it 2 be huge at this time. I think word of mouth and continued online support will keep it moderatly going. I'd love 2 see them do a music video tho'...INTENDED for the mainstream audience. It's all about the music tho'...Jazzy isn't trying 2 be Puffy. Let's embrace the album and let those who care know how good it is. It's kinda like L+F. It's promoting great music, pleasing alot of music fans, and building a reputation 4 Jeff. But hopefully it'll set up a bigger album with bigger success.

As i waz reading the article...all i waz thinking waz "AMEN." Those who grew up on "real Hip-Hop" will totally love this article just as much as i did.

I must say, while the theme 2 the song is universal...i usually only listen 2 it in the winter time. So i haven't listened 2 it in a hot minute. But i love the theme. I love the mature and honest theme. Most rappers think they are 2 hard 2 show any true emotion...which is just idiocy. The solid production, which at the time, waz far from a sound any emcee would try 2 flow over, is equally as impressive. Dope song, hands down.

I don't know. I've always thought it waz kinda weird 2 use the internet as means 2 meet new people. I suppose it works for some people tho.'

T-PAIN - Ridge Road Rappa Ternt Sanga (2005) I listened 2 this album when i 1st got it...then put it way. Despite some weak guests, this album is pretty good.

Thanx 4 the heads up. I think it's funny tho' when people add people who aren't their friends. With mine, i just add my personal friends and artists i like. Why bother with adding anyone else...ha ha. I see these people with 1,000 some "Friends" and i'm like "What's their point?"

That's the 1st thing that came 2 mind when i saw this post. People outside the circle are finding out where they need 2 go 2 stay in the loop.

Yeah, and the industry is trying 2 perserve them in small ways 2. There are many bonus songs and DVDs that will NEVER be re-released or put on the internet for download that u can only get when u purchase the album. It almost seems like they are saying "Thank you for actually buying the album." On top of that that, the decrease in CDs sales doesn't mean they'll really fall off quickly. If it happens, it'll be a very slow progress. Sales are in a place that can still fall and the CD industry will still be fine. And it's not like the numbers can't be turned around. Look at the industry and the trash on the radio. We are entering a place where some people are growing up and requiring more from artists and labels. If they listen and change 4 the better, that could also turn sales around. I do think that it's important that those who do love the album go out and buy music by the people they love 2 show that it's how they prefer to buy music.

The next album better have Fresh Prince, KRS-One, and Musiq on it!! Lovin' Jazzy at the mo'!

Great article! Tim, i hope u are compiling all this stuff put add permenatly to the website later. Just good stuff!!

I also wanted 2 know who actually visits this board and didn't bother to pick up an album that had been released 2000-plus. That's pretty disappointing that someone hasn't gotten Lost + Found. When i listen 2 the album these days (which hasn't been too often for awhile...but i probably will more now that summer is approaching) i kinda feel it is the perfect step towards another album...a better album. It seems like the weeknesses of the album slightly stand out, making me feel that L+F waz like The Magnificent. Totally dope and one of the best albums in recent history...but that his next project will easily walk right past it when it comes 2 good music...like The Return of The Magnificent.

If someone comes to kill u in your sleep...it'll be me.

SKEE-LO - At The Mall (House Mix) At The Mall (Import CD Single) (2001)

PAT DALUNA (?) - Win' Up (2007) This is a fly party high-energy R-N-B/Pop song. Watch out, this could be the summer anthem of 2007.

Same here. Believe it or not, there are people in this would without the internet...and even without computers. CD's are getting more inexpensive and they are still being promoted heavily. While many people are into downloading, there are millions of people who are still going out and buying complete albums/CD's. That fact that CD's can be burned is another reason they will stay strong for a good while. That of course is another reason why they have had declining sales over the past few years. The fact that CDs are small and allow u 2 quickly skip thru' an album make them just as convienient as they were when they came out. And lastly, since DJ's can now "scratch" CD's like vinyl, they will definitely stay in production. After all, that's probably the main reason vinyl is still pressed. As music fans start demanding more from artists, some will probably go back 2 the idea of loving "the album." The complete work of art, complete tracklisting, the concept, the artwork and inserts. CD's seriously have nothing 2 worry about 4 awhile. Even with increased internet music distribution, there are many people who only get CDs (like myself) or support both (CD's for the good artists...and downloads for the catchy songs). Think of all the other formats of music. They have all come and gone. The CD is so convenient in so many ways, it seems pointless to try and replace it. Even if the industry changes alot down the road, making it so that CD's would be produced on a smaller scale, there will always be music stores with them. I love the idea of the independent music store coming back (as they existed in the 90's).

I applaud her for that letter. Her actions have been pretty embarassing 4 awhile now. Reading that letter actually reminded me of a few times in my own life which makes me feel like she is getting on the right track. U can tell by the way it's written that she didn't have any PR people write it or alter it. Hopefully she continues 2 get things 2gether. I actually really like her In The Zone album from 2003 and hope she comes back with an album done in that same tradition.

R. KELLY - DOUBLE UP This is the kinda album u can kinda judge by the cover. The cover is boring, too simple, and played out with his name in an iced out font. The music reflects the same. This is probably his most boring album. Notice i didn't say "bad"...just boring. Boring in the sense that one of the greatest producers, songwriters, and artists of all time coming out with product that doesn't reflect even a portion of his talent. His lyrics go from one extreem to the other. Some of them of the subject matter is creative and fresh...some is common and played out. Some of the writing is quality, some of it is similar to the crap on the radio. His sound has gotten kinda watered down 2. Some of the production is strong and some is kinda generic...suitable for just any artist. His vocals are what u'd expect from the R....but over half of his guests are worthy company (Usher, Keyshia Cole, Snoop Dogg, T-Pain)...then there is everyone else (T.I., Swizz Beatz, Nelly, Huey, Polow Da Don). The album opens with "The Champ" which has great lyrics and energy. The whole fact that Swizz Beats is featured is a joke...u can only hear his turned down vocals in the background chanting...which is 4 the best. "Double Up" with Snoop Dogg has a nice slick kind of sound but the subject matter is tasteless overdone sex stuff. "Tryin' To Get A Number" is just straight wack. The beat is awful, the lyrics and chorus are stupid. Nelly does what he does on pretty much every soon. "Get Dirty" with Chamillionaire also has awful production. The subject matter is tiring but Chamillionaire's flow is nice...reguardless of the boring subject matter. "Leave Your Name" is a nice track with a smooth piano supported track. R. Kelly sings on this track...ha ha. His voice is synthed up from time to time. Real nice song tho.' I expected "Freaky In The Club" to be a crunked out high energy track by the title. But it's actually got a light-weight breezy sound that's actually nice. The unimaginitive lyrics don't fit over the sound at all. Part of me still likes listening 2 this one tho.' "The Zoo" is a good song. Yeah, another freaky song, but this reminds me of the stuff he did between 1998 and 2000. I just really like this one. He used 2 perform this live...so he just put it on wax. We've all heard "I'm A Flirt (Remix)" on the radio. Not amazing, not bad...just a catchy, fun song. "Same Girl" with Usher has gotten alot of play where i live. Definitly a good song. Solid sound and a fun topic...yet u might see this as "The Boy Is Mine" 2007 with the topic flipped. "Real Talk" is one of the albums best tracks. R. Kelly is at home on this song. This does his signature 'hood soap opera type stuff on this one. "Hook It Up" has a nice harder edged beat. Kelly's lyrics are pretty standard and the featured rapper (Huey) is just unnecessary. "Rock Star" is a confusingly forced song. Ludacris brings his dime-a-dozen lyrics and while the song also features Kid Rock, his vocals are so turned down that u wouldn't know he's on it without the billing. Not awful, just forced. "Best Friend" is another solid one featuring the often impressive Keyshia Cole. "Rollin'" is absolute trash. Don't even bother listening 2 this track. This is the worst R. Kelly song EVER. "Sweet Tooth" totally redeems the album after u thought Kelly lost his mind on the last one. Smooth, sexy, and the kinda stuff long-time fans have been waiting for. "Havin' A Baby" is another dope one. Why couldn't the whole album be like these last few songs?! "Sex Planet" is really nice 2...reguardless of the kinda song the title would make u think it is. "Rise Up" is a touching inspirational song he recently cut in tribute towards those effected by the Virginia Tech shootings. Sadly, after such a great song, there's a song as track 20 which is just a silly "ringtone" song. All in all, real R-N-B fans and R. Kelly fans should check the following songs if they wanna peep the album...Leave Your Name, The Zoo, Same Girl, Real Talk, Best Friend, Sweet Tooth, Havin' A Baby, Sex Planet, and Rise Up. I guess having half of the album dope isn't bad...but Kelly should have kept his game tighter across the board. If u get the album at Wal-Mart, u'll get a BET Official DVD featuring 90 minutes of R. Kelly. I haven't watched it yet but it's got the following stuff on it...106 + Park interview, BET 25 Strong performance, Access Granted episodes for I'm A Flirt, Ignition, and Trapped In The Closet. Music videos for I'm A Flirt, I Wish, Ignition, Trapped In The Closet (Chaper 1), You Saved Me, A Woman's Threat, and Step In The Name of Love, the previously unreleased song for Katrina victims "Let Your Light Shine", and a sneek peak at Trapped In The Closet 12.5.

BOYZ II MEN - Grandfather Clock Grandfather Clock (Japan Import Single) (2004)

SPEECH - (If U Think The System's Workin') Ask Someboedy Who Ain't (Remix) Ask Somebody Who Aint Promo (1996)

If things continue the way they are, i think CD's will become a subculture. Where fewer of them are distributed. I think that there will always be people who love the album and love buying CDs. I think their will be exclusive music stores (featuring CDs, vinyl, posters, t-shirts, etc.). I think we might get back 2 the independent music stores which i personally love. I do think it's important for those who love music 2 still buy albums in stores to help weather the storm of our crashing music industry. They still make VHS and vinyl...so i think it's safe that CD won't REALLY fade out 4 quite some time.

Yeah, i listened 2 the commentary back when it 1st came out on DVD. I gotta say that i don't think the movie waz that good. Very average 2 boring depending on the moment. I think it's funny that it's loosly based around "Rock The House" and JJ+FP. FP's scene is the best scene in the movie and contains 90% of anything in the movie that actually means anything. I love the idea of the movie, i just don't think it waz done right. I haven't watched it since 2004...maybe i'll have 2 give it another try. It's the only FP movie i've watched once.

I just gotta throw out there that everytime i listen 2 this album, it gets better. We are talking LEGENDS here.