The summer of 2001 turned out to be a golden age for urban soul and contemporary R&B, as the strained credibility of such over-achievers as
Jill Scott and the careering of Destiny's Child gave way to such stellar records as the emergence of
Alicia Keys and the re-emergence of Aaliyah. Plus, the debut of
Blu Cantrell, whose
So Blu is a wonderfully fresh recasting of contemporary soul and R&B mores. Of the aforementioned trio, this is the most conventional, but it still sounds vibrant, thanks not just to
Cantrell's impassioned vocals, but how the songs and productions are wrapped in contemporary mores but delivered as if they were classic. This is a record that maintains its momentum from beginning to end, punctuated by such fine singles as "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)," and even though those singles remain the standouts, even the album tracks showcase the depth of
Cantrell's considerable talents. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine