Six years after the first collaborative release,
Gerald LeVert,
Keith Sweat, and the otherwise MIA
Johnny Gill reunited to present a more driven and carnal
LSG. The
Whodini quoting opener,
"Just Friends," makes for a decent lead single with its sure beat and
Loon's languid
rap, but in the context of the rest of the album, its ode to platonic love seems downright deceiving and sneaky. The sexier than expected
LSG2 presents the singers as swashbuckling lords of the bedroom and shows little interest in crossing over to the
pop world's more chaste framework. It's a good thing they allow themselves the freedom, since the album's highlights are the more racy numbers.
"Wide Open" combines
LSG's bedroom promise to perform to satisfaction with an inspired choppy beat, while
"Fa-Free"'s smirking and spicy lyrics are hard to resist and a great showcase for
Sweat.
"Shake Down" may hang on to its arrest and cavity search metaphor too long, but few could deliver lyrics like "Come and get your punishment/This is a shakedown all over your body" without sounding farcical. Well-written and well-produced,
"Yesterday"'s over the top emotion and meandering way bring reminders of
Prince at his most lonely and lustful and give the album some needed substance. Elsewhere the songwriting lags, but the slick production and
LSG's passionate vocals make this seduction hard to resist. ~ David Jeffries
