John Legend says new album is `richer'

08/30/2006 8:16 AM, AP


Don't expect John Legend to stray too far from his Grammy-winning, silky R&B style on his sophomore album, "Once Again."

"It's not dramatically different but I think people will see it as a growth and an extension for me. It's a richer sound," the 27-year-old singer-songwriter told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "The production is more developed. ... I just tried to do it with the highest standards of quality."

One special guest who helped enhance the quality was Mary J. Blige, who performs a duet with Legend. Though he had worked with Blige before, Legend said he got to know her better this time around.

"She's really sweet and she's very easy to work with ... very humble," he said in a phone interview. "It was kind of refreshing."

Legend's 2004 debut album, "Get Lifted," was a platinum success and earned him win three Grammy Awards, including best new artist.

He was to give fans a preview of his new release with a concert in New York City's Bowery Ballroom on Wednesday night, also available on Verizon Wireless' VCast service.

"We're just going where the fans are," Legend said.

He has shot a video for the first single from the new album, which is titled "Save Room."

Legend describes the video as sexy, but "not salacious. ... It's kind of like a-day-in-the-life kind of video. ... I think it's tasteful and it's realistic."

"Once Again" is scheduled for release Oct. 24.

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