Deja Vu,
Geri King's full-length 2002 debut, was a nice showcase for her soulful, clean-burning vocal style, even if its effectiveness was curtailed slightly by canned arrangements and limited production. The synthesized melodies and percussion return for
Always, again courtesy of principal
King collaborator
Kimo Kaulani. However, the album does boast streamlined songcraft that focuses on ballads and mellow contemporary R&B. Standouts include the opener "Could It Be," the spare, neo-soul-inspired "Tears You'll Never See," and "My Life"'s defiant
TLC simmer. ~ Johnny Loftus