Perhaps compensating for the negativity rampant in the rap world,
K-Ci & JoJo's fourth record,
Emotional, is not only unrepentantly sincere and soulful, but also one of the duo's first to completely ignore the influence of hip-hop altogether. Such a level of devotion to R&B is impressive considering the success of so many rap crossovers on the charts; it's a testament to the
Cedric and Joel Hailey's deep respect for the smooth love jams they grew up with. There's only one problem with
Emotional, but unfortunately, it's a big one.
K-Ci & JoJo's amazing vocals and sincere performances simply aren't enough to compensate for the bland songs and formulaic arrangements. The single, "This Very Moment," is a deeply felt performance of an uplifting song, a perfect selection for any contemporary wedding ceremony, but one that simply floats by the listener (like it floated by the charts) without a single element to distinguish it from hundreds of songs in the past. "Special" and "Down for Life" are also relationship songs with a power to melt the heart of any romantic in range, but nothing else to recommend them. The duo are fighting against a tide (as are most of the rap/R&B crossovers feature a male rapper with a female R&B singer anyway), and
Emotional simply isn't strong enough to resist. [A U.K. version added a bonus track.] ~ John Bush