Akon - Konvicted

Genre r & b Publisher Universal Motown External Links Official Akon Website Official Universal Motown Website

Every now and again there comes an R&B album that has the ability to cross all levels to reach a ton of people. Prince's Purple Rain (though it may be considered rock these days), Michael Jackson's Thriller, Dr. Dre's The Chronic (technically rap) and Usher's Confessions are but four that stepped outside of their narrow confines to be embraced by the masses.

Add Akon's Konvicted to that list if you please. Not only is nearly every track a gem, with each showing potential to be a hit in its own right, but its all the more surprising because almost no one would have guessed Akon had it in him. After all, the American-born, Sengalese-raised singer/songwriter was written off as a flash in the pan after the success of the singles "Lonely" (one of my favorite tunes of 2005) and "Locked Up".

But, after guest appearances on just about every artist's tracks in the past year or so, Akon has delivered a modern day R&B/Soul masterpiece. For me, it's nearest counterpart is Fergie's The Dutchess, another album like Konvicted that is still riding high on the charts while the work of their contemporaries flounders near the bottom.

From the beginning hype and championship music of "Shake Down" right to the end of the uplifting beauty of "Don't Matter", Akon takes the listener on a musical voyage few of his generation have the ability to match. Akon is confident, ultra-smooth, brazen and bold, incredibly smart - both lyrically and musically, and, even when putting a message out there (such as on the enlightened "Tired Of Runnin'") he never forgets to match it with music that is every bit as rewarding.

Akon's two singles released thus far, "Smack That" featuring Eminem (his best cameo since Dre's Chronic 2001) and "I Wanna Fuck You" (that's the title, I don't care what radio says) featuring Snoop Dogg were two of the best of the previous year, each featuring the sort of silky, sexy vibe that surely have been involved in numerous pregnancies of the past few months.

But the album's best track is the Soul stunner "Never Took the Time" a song so perfect words aren't good enough for it. It's one of those lost love songs that manages to cut right to the heart and soul. The production on this track is also top-notch, with the guitar, bass, and drums (kudos to Michael Butler's work here) all mixed perfectly and showcasing some fantastic vocal work by Akon.

Not just a great party album, not just a great R&B album, Akon's Konvicted is simply one of the best albums this reviewer has heard in the past year.