Love Me Back

The lead single of this project, HOLDING YOU DOWN (GOIN' IN CIRCLES)was released last summer and it instantly became a favorite of mine with great use of a sample and a modernized old school feel. The second single, 10 SECONDS, was released a few months after and featured a soulfully smoldering performance by Jazmine as she calls out a cheating lover.I thought both singles and they accompanying videos were excellent and hoped that they had created enough "buzz" to increase interest in the album upon release. Unfortunately the album wasn't released until December and shortly after disappointing low sales, Jazmine announced on Twitter that she was quitting the music business (which she later recanted - thankfully). As an r&b music lover, I understand her pain & frustration about the status of this genre of music but I also believe that if more artists like Jazmine continue to release music that is more soul rather than hip hop/soul, eventually the pendulum will swing back to a place where she and other singers like her are more appreciated.I enjoy this album as much as her debut - there are ballads I love that showcase her voice as well as uptempo songs on which she smooths out the raw soul of her voice to fit more "pop-oriented" production. Overall the only 2 songs that I still don't like are: U GET ON MY NERVES w/ Ne-Yo - the track is just "ok" when I hoped for a magical duet between the two voice & FAMOUS - I appreciate the plaintive, honest lyrics but the arrangement of the song makes it difficult to listen to.Other favorites (in addition to the two singles already released) are:DON'T MAKE ME WAIT - uptempo track with an 80's retro beatGOOD ENOUGH - the synthy opening of this ballad segues into a Prince-sounding track with Jazmine's emotional & raw vocalsSTUTTERING & EXCUSE ME - smoky balladsLOVE YOU LONG TIME - interesting military drum beats used on this uptempo track make it interestingREDEMPTION SONG - great storytelling lyrics, Jazmine raps then goes into a killer chorusI wish her label would release one more track but sadly these days r&b artists usually only release 1 or 2 tracks and then we hear that the artist is "working on the next album" - they just don't take time to groom artists or "grow" their music anymore if it doesn't crossover to the mainstream charts.To Jazmine, as a fan I say, please stay strong and continue to release good music!

Jazmine Sullivan returns with her sophomore album Love Me Back and it is an outstanding effort. With a voice reminiscent of Mary J. Blige in terms of pure passion and emotion, she makes you feel every word she's singing. She reemerged on the scene earlier this year with her single Going In Circles which was a throwback to 90's R&B but updated for 2010. It's arguably her greatest song to date. When she is singing about pain such as the second single 10 Seconds, she has that rare quality in her voice that is distinguishable and unique. She's easily one of the most soulful artists to emerge in the past 5 years. True soul music.The album delivers on that premise with song after song of great arrangements, soulful singing, and great lyrics. She brings out her inner 80's on Don't Make Me Wait and Ne-Yo serves as the only guest on the duet U Get On My Nerves. The only songs I'm not really feeling are Love You Long Time & Redemption, not because they are horrible songs it's just that I'm not really feeling their vibe.Jazmine Sullivan comes through with another solid effort that showcases her talents and is thoroughly enjoyable. She is a true talent in music and this album is worth a purchase as it has powerful songs with plenty of replay value. She has that voice that makes your hair stand up in the back of your neck. You definitely won't be disappointed with this album if you are a fan of Jazmine or quality R&B/Soul music. 4.4 Stars.

Great, GREAT album! “Famous” alone is worth it. So much emotion in her singing!

One thing that I don't like about today's music is that it's geared toward the lowest common denominator: sex, or the act itself. Now, I'm not a prude by any means, but shouldn't a song leave a lot to the listener's imagination? That's why a lot of the 'old school' singers from 25-50 years ago could make songs that actually hold up better today than most of the pre-fabricated, over produced slop that infects popular music, especially R&B today.Sullivan's music is what is needed today: you still acknowledge today's styles and what not, but you still work on the main thing: making the song memorable and letting the listener fills in the blanks so to speak.She is pretty, that is no doubt. But, I'm more impressed with her singing qualities and her song writing skills, because she'll need those qualities if she wants to be a long lasting star, after she's not the hot young singer of the moment.I think that she'll last a long time if she keeps on doing what she's doing: making sure her voice, writing, and talent always take center stage.

I wasn't holding out much hope for this follow-up cd, having been let down before by other recording from other artists who had the bomb first but tired second. Not in this case....I'm loving this better than the first disc! She's got some ole' skool flava going on in here and perfectly mixed it with her signature voice...there is no denying that Jazmine is part of the rebirth of R&B. She is a true artist committed to her craft, and as long as she's giving that commitment to her fans, then we will be committed to listening.

I have been a fan of Jazmine Sullivan's work for quite some time now, a number of years in fact, ever since I heard some of her unreleased music around four or five years ago and I have not looked back. Jazmine certainly has what it takes to be one of the big players within the music industry, not only penning music for her own projects, but for a variety of other artists too. A fantastic songwriter, that's for sure.Anyway onto the album, it was always going to be hard to top her debut album 'Fearless', which Jazmine blessed us with a couple of years ago, but she certainly doesn't do a bad job with this album. Her latest project, 'Love Me Back', definitely highlights Jazmine as an artist to certainly keep your eyes and attention on. I honestly don't think there's a bad song on this album, there's going to be something that caters for different people out there, depending on what you like. Whether you prefer Jazmine to serenade you alone with her silky and soulful vocals or whether you like the idea of her collaborating with Ne-Yo (who I'm not a huge fan of), there's bound to be something on here that will keep your appetite for great music satisfied.As an overall project, I think the standout songs on here are easily: 'Redemption', 'Good Enough', '10 Seconds' and 'Don't Make Me Wait'. Honestly, if you love real quality R&B music with a touch of Soul, then Jazmine Sullivan is the artist for you and this album is a must, well worth every penny!

Jazmine Sullivan had a lot to live up to with her sophomore album after her outstanding, critically and commercially acclaimed debut which garnered her 5 Grammy nominations. Jazmine continues to have creative freedom co-writing and producing the whole set and whilst there are many throwbacks to her debut sound, it is constantly fresh and soulful.It begins with the fantastic first single, sample heavy "Holding You Down (Goin' In Circles)" and follow up single, "10 Seconds," where Jazmine gives her man only 10 seconds to leave. Other standout tracks include sexy 80's sounding "Don't Make Me Wait," and beautiful ballad ,"Excuse Me." "Redemption" is possibly Jazmine's best song to date as she tells a story of a young female crack addict and a man who beats his wife with a `sinner's prayer' chorus.Whilst the reggae tinged ditty, "Love You Long Time," veers too much towards Rihanna territory for my liking, "You Get On My Nerves (feat. Ne-Yo)" pays homage to Sullivan's biggest hit Bust Your Windows and is likely to win over more pop fans. There is something for everyone on "Love Me Back," and is a must own for lovers of R&B.

Good cd

This is as good a cd as any in the quality soul/R&B genre which grows on you the more you hear it. But for me, what lifts it above many is Redemption - a real killer-diller track which makes this a must-have cd. The lyrics are well-crafted and the delivery outstanding. It's a song which fuses mild rap, gospel and soul; smouldering until the explosive bridge and final chorus. That track alone warrants its 5 stars.

love her voice