Chocolate Factory

02/10/2003 5:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Dan Leroy

A new batch of tunes from acclaimed videographer R. Kelly can almost make Jacko’s burdens seem light. While accused pedophile MJ at least has the option of not singing about the kids, Kelly’s hot-blooded horniness is an integral part of his persona; he can hardly back away from the risque R&B that’s made him what he is, despite the underage sex scandal that dogs him. And in fact, on the long-awaited Chocolate Factory, Kelly’s best when he shows no shame in his game--defiantly dirty double entendres like "Ignition" and "Showdown" make you think less about his troubles than the self-pitying "Heaven I Need A Hug" (one of a half-dozen numbers salvaged from Loveland, the bootlegged first crack at this album). In the end, though, it’s R’s musical genius that pulls his bare butt out of this fire. Channeling greats from Gaye to Wonder, his stripped-down bangers bang harder, his ballads have more gospel bluster, and he sings with the desperation of a loveman who knows the cops are waiting at his bedroom door.