REVIEW: Another Level, Another Level (Arista)
- Franklin Johnson
The story has been heard before: superstar act discovers an unknown act, cultivates and nurtures them, and soon the new act achieves the goal: success! And if I told you that the superstar act was multi-platinum rapper Jay-Z, and the unknown act Another Level, you'd think street-smart lyrics, right?
Wrong.
Though Jay-Z found the group and brought them to his British record company, NorthWestSide Records, Another Level really has nothing in common with "Jigga My N***", "Hard Knock Life", or any of the other songs which spoke to his listeners. Instead, think Will Smith and R Kelly's style as seen through the eyes of four young (early 20s) men - Wayne Williams, Dane Bowers, Bobak Kianoush and Mark Baron.
The #1 UK hit "Freak Me" is ripped right out of R Kelly's catalog, right down to the suggestive lyrics. "Be Alone No More" includes Jay-Z making an ill-suited appearance, but other UK hits such as "Summertime" and "Guess I Was A Fool" fit much nicer into the album's laid-back, suave image.
Although the album has been available elsewhere in the world for more than a year, and the band toured Europe as Janet Jackson's opening act, the American market wasn't targetted by the group - until now. "I'm very excited about breaking into the U.S. market," reports Kianoush. "It's the birthplace of great music and you definitely have to prove yourself there. But I do feel confident."
Rap fans drawn in by Jay-Z's association will likely be disappointed by Another Level. But fans of R Kelly, Keith Sweat, and the 'new' rhythm and blues will definitely find this disc well to their liking.
