Jon B - Cool Relax (Yab Yum Records/Sony) The fact that slain rapper Tupac Shakur makes a guest appearance on this album is proof that Jon B has been working on Cool Relax for more than a year (Tupac was shot in September last year). So one really has to wonder why it took so long to put together such an unoriginal, repetitive album. It is almost as if Jon B had taken the same song and changed the lyrics 15 times.
Even more upsetting is that even with tracks co-written and produced by Babyface, the album is still deeply entrenched in the pits of stereotypical, dull rhythm and blues.
Amid the trite, soppy slow jams lurk a few memorable songs. Can't Help It is an interesting twist on the conventional slow-paced love song. The album's title track is also promising, with a stronger jazz undertone. I Ain't Going Out is also listenable, with a smooth blues feel.
But the few promising tracks are overshadowed by the remaining mushy lyrics, repetitive beats and irritating rap vocals.
