12 x Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys releases her highly anticipated 4th studio album. The first single "Doesn't Mean Anything" written and produced by Alicia and her longtime production partner Kerry "Krucial" Brothers was already released on 30th November. Alicia is the girl of the moment; not only is she already riding high in the charts with the Jay Z collaboration, but she also wrote Whitney Houston's come-back single "Million Dollar Bill".In her own words, Alicia describes THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM as a dichotomy of strength and vulnerability: "The music is really strong, and the drums are really aggressive, but my voice is vulnerable and delicate," states Keys. Particular stand-out tracks for me are "Doesn't Mean Anything" with a lovely but simple musical arrangement that compliments her voice well and "That's How Strong My Love Is". A ballad that displays her musical piano skills as well as her song writing. And also the closing track on the album "Empire State of Mind" is a strong composition. Shame there is not a dance floor filler on the album, as that would have made it an album worthy to be in your collection. However, if you are appreciative of a 'listening' album, then this is definitely worth considering.
THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM is the follow up to Keys' multi-platinum selling 2007 album As I Am, which featured the Grammy Award winning tune "No One" as well as hit singles like "Like You'll Never See Me Again", "Teenage Love Affair" and "Superwoman". Available in all good record stores now.
René
