Lyfe Jennings released his fourth and final studio album with his Jesus Swings label titled, “I Still Believe,” on August 31, 2010.  He delivers a socially minded R&B album  with heavy instrumentation, you can play beginning to end with empowerment for women, men, and relationships.

Before listening to the album, I noticed a visual message with the album cover. The front showcases, Lyfe standing with a serious face in the middle of a poverty stricken area that looks as though it was bombed and abandoned. Then, as you peek over his left shoulder there is a ray of light, which feeds the message of hope. ( For those of you have the album what did you think about the cover?) 

This time around Lyfe, sees his latest album as “greatness.”  This album reflects  the trials and tribulations people face in life with different levels of relationships.  As always Lyfe embeds a  powerful message with his music, and leaves you thinking, “I wonder where he got this song from or saying I can relate to this song.”   

From day one, when I heard “Must Be Nice,” “S.E.X,” and “Let’s Stay Together,” I knew the meaning behind Lyfe’s name and felt like his lyrics were special and long overdue . He definitely has come a long way  from a troubled past  serving a 10 year prison sentence to seeking his vision in music with a driven  testimony today as a  mainstream R & B singer.

This album is worth the money, it offers 13 tracks total including the bonus track: “If Tomorrow Never Comes.”  The current single and radio track “Statistics,” was inspired by relationship advice book expert Steve Harvey’s  book, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” which deals with issues Black women face looking for a good man to love. In this song Lyfe offers a guide for the ladies with lyrics such as: “Rule number one, don’t be a booty call / If he don’t respect you girl, he gonna forget you girl.”    Another great song, is “Mama” which features Anthony Hamilton and deals with a woman and man taking the wrong course. These two artists harmonies and sound amazing together.

Inspirational tracks offered this time around are “I Still Believe” and “Hero.” 

Of course, I have my personal favorite tracks: “Spotlight” produced by T-Minus, it’s a club song that makes you want to dance and envision that perfect significant other that you want the world to know about, “Whatever She Wants,” is the love track on the album it’s about doing whatever it takes to make your mate happy, while the song “Love” offers a catchy hook and  encourages the men to step their game up, because someone is willing and ready to take their woman and fill their shoes.  

Jennings explains his album in his thank you by saying, “To my fans/friends, we’ve had a hell of a ride,” he says. “Some of us will reach our destinations faster than others, but I thank you for traveling with me, supporting my every step. We are only human and human is only temporary. Thank you for seeing my spirit. Pray for my next journey guys, it’s been great.”

It’s hard to fathom an artist like Lyfe leaving the music scene, since he stands up for the ladies.  I have a feeling it may be a publicity stunt as so many other entertainers have attempted in the past.  I will keep my fingers crossed.   I give this album an A+!  (Lyfe most definitely gets my stamp of approval, for speaking the truth for the ladies and giving insight from a male perspective.) On a good note, you can try and catch him on tour live with his upcoming shows in a city near you. 

UPCOMING TOUR

Tour dates:

9/11 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
9/12 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
9/15 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
9/17 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
9/18 – West Hollywood, CA @ Key Club (two shows)
9/19 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
9/21 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
9/24 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
9/27 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
9/28 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
10/1 – New York, NY @ BB King’s Blues Club
10/5 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos’ Southend
10/6 – Charleston, SC @ The Music Farm
10/8 – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
10/9 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
10/10 – Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Ybor
10/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage