[.ca] Lsg-2

Headphone Masterpiece:
Although I thought the first one was better (just listen to Johnny turn it out on Round and Round and My Side of the Bed) this album did have some high points. If you want to get the full effect of the vocals and ad libs, listen to this album with a good set of headphones.

Another one of those "record contract fulfillment" albums:
Sorry, but the people that said this album is just as good as (and even BETTER than) their first album really need to listen to their first album more closely. I know Johnny Gill has been sort of M.I.A. and Keith Sweat's last album was garbage (the one before that wasn't that great either), but I really expected more from this album. Now, we all know that Gerald, Keith and Johnny are all great singers, but it doesn't sound like they're giving their all on this album. In fact, if I walked into a room and just heard this album playing, I wouldn't even have known this was LSG (they kind of sound like younger protégés of themselves). Check "All I Know", where, despite the smooth feel, it's hard to tell what's being said in the chorus. With Gerald LeVert holding the pen, most listeners would expect more classics like "Door #1" and "My Side of the Bed". Sadly, the songs he wrote here aren't impressive, as evidenced by the bumpy "Lessons Learned" and the confusing and disorganized "Cry & Make Love". And what would a soulful crossover album (for lack of a better term) be without Loon? "Just Friends" doesn't really help or hurt the album. And the song that follows, "Wide Open" features a rap by someone named Bino, who sounds like Loon's brother or something. This album probably would have been better if it was released two years after their first instead of FIVE years after their first. Also, they should have stuck with the same formula. This album is still okay to keep in your collection, but as they said back in '97, you should really stick with "what's behind door #1". Anthony Rupert

A little too much Sweat>>>>:
This was a great idea. The first version of this trio was nice and one of the first times I remember artist coming together like this. Now everybody is tryin to do the "superalbum", especially in hip hop. Well after 6 years they hit us with the second part to their first classic. This..this is not a classic. It starts off with the lead single "Just Friends", which of course uses the Whodini sample "Friends". Decent cut. They actually enhanced the track a lill bit and sound good on top of it. Loon is unnecessary but then again very rarely is the hip hop verse on the R & B track necessary in today's world. The second track is decent also, entitled "Wide Open". The lyrical arrangement is cool. Johnny sounds great and it takes you back to the old LeVert tracks. After this cut is where the CD takes a turn for the worse. The key element in it's demise is Keith Sweat. I own every Keith CD up until '98. At that point the record label had grabbed him and tried to "cross him over". At that point I was out. Now dude has just lost his edge. Every now and then on this CD his voice ,which is an acquired taste, is ok but for the most part he's struggling through it. Track 3 "Shakedown" is embarrassing actually. The next 3 tracks follow the same pattern actually, Keith being unimpressive with Gerald and JG unable to save the tracks. Track 4 "fa free" starts good with JG crooning. Just a little too much Keith. Track 5 "Yesterday" is a nice Gerald selection but the track does nothing to keep you with it. Next. Another "Keith has lost it" cut "Play with Fire". Track 7 "What About Me" starts to bring the CD back. It's a mix between Stevie Wonders "All I do" and Carl Thomas "I wish". Keith is decent here. Track 8 is my favorite on the CD, "All I Know". Great song. Listening to it the chorus doesn't really sound like them but I love it. Has a definitely 70's feel with a funky drum program. The last cut on the CD "Cry and make Love" is a typical Gerald LeVert headboard banger. Overall I liked cuts 1,2,7,8 and 11. The magic is gone from this supergroup. I guess nothing last forever.........

Is this the end?:
LSG - LSG 2 (Elektra, 2003) It took seven years for Gerald Levert, Johnny Gill, and Keith Sweat to come back as LSG and release a followup to the superb Levert, Sweat, Gill album. But what's the real reason why they made this album? Was it to fulfill their contract and get outta dodge from Elektra Records? Or was it just for the sake of shutting up the fans who have been waiting forever for this? Whatever the case, the project as a whole feels halfhearted. If you're one of the few people who bought this album, you'll notice that upon reading through the liner notes--there are none. There are hardly any shout outs; only a few people are thanked by the group as a whole, not individually. The CD sleeve doesn't have many pages in it either. As for the album, the songs aren't bad; in fact, the songs written and produced by Gerald (i.e., "Yesterday", "Cry and Make Love") are better than the songs he provided for his own album, Stroke of Genius. But you wish that he wrote more songs because the album is very short (around 45 minutes). Sadly, Keith Sweat doesn't contribute one track to the album. Moreover, "All I Know" sounds a little like SWV's "Rain". However, it was nice to see Johnny Gill get work again, since that New Edition reunion STILL hasn't happened yet. He uses his vocal prowess on songs like "Cry and Make Love" and "What About Me" (not to be confused with the 1998 Gerald Levert song of the same name). A good album, just not great. Will there be an LSG 3? Don't hold your breath. -EJR

Better than the first....:
This CD has been underrated by some reviewers on here. This CD is great. LSG has came back together again to make a compilation of soulful ballads... BUY IT! The only problem that I had was that there were only 11 tracks on it.... I wanted more!

• Just Friends - LSG,
• Wide Open
• Shake Down
• Fa-Free
• Yesterday
• Play With Fire
• What About Me
• All I Know
• Lesson Learned
• Can't Get Over You
• Cry & Make Love