112 Album: “Hot & Wet”

No need to cry, 112 can still satisfy. If, like me, you tried to form an idea about this cd based on the lead single, I assure you 112 still can deliver that sound reminiscent of the sophomore LP released 5 years ago. There is no denying that the debut was untouchable and "Part III" was beyond amazing, but the group has delivered a signature sound that only they could pull off amidst the recent "music" invading the airwaves.

This 4th effort offers a variety for all R&B listeners. If you prefer soulful ballads sung with profound emotions of love (or lost love) then you MUST hear "Right Here For You", "You Said" and "Slip Away". Together these three songs carry the album so well that they make the other tracks sound even better. Then there's "All My Love", which is perfect for the lovers trying to get in the mood. "Say Yes" is persuasion at its best to get the one you desire take a chance on romance. On another note, "Everyday" was the group's chance to speak out and let the haters know how it's really going down behind the scenes in their lives. The closing song recalls James Brown's explanation of gender roles and tells us it's "A Man's World" even in 2003. Just like the Godfather's masterpiece, this original song is powerful and deserving of attention.

If you're into the bass thumping, ass shaking club sound, you haven't been left behind. Being the 112 fan I am, I will keep it real. "Na Na Na Na" and "Unbelievable" just don't do it for me. However, "Hot and Wet" remix, "It's Goin' Down 2Nite" and "Give it to Me" are fun (of course, except a line in #3 "Hey yo, shake that thang just like it's Jell-O" but this is what people like to hear). I would not have made "Hot and Wet" a single, but if it were up to me, people would appreciate them for the talented R&B singers they have been since 1996- wishful thinking.

Overall, it's not quite the same as past efforts, but I am still happy with my purchase. I was worried having heard those two singles followed by quite a lackluster performance in Atlanta last month. Yes, I thought I lost them. I was wrong! They're still here and they're still making hits like no one else can.

This album is better than you think at first. It is made to please everybody which is why it hasn't got 5stars from die hard fans.

The 1st thing that stops it getting 5stars is the track listing order. The songs are all good but the order changes the album pace too much for you to appreciate some songs depending on your mood (if u make your own playlist for this album it becomes amazing).

One Twelve has also now got a problem in trying to please everyone. They are easily the best group at making up tempo R&B songs. There is absolutely no contest in that area since "Only You with Notorious B.I.G. (& Mase)". They know how to sing over rap beats. That is the ingredient that has made them popular over the years and has got them into the charts and into many club DJ's playlists. This is the format that has brought 112 to people.

For this reason they have to have fast club bangin songs. "Hot & Wet (feat. Ludacris)", "Na Na Na Na (feat. SuperCat) (& remix)" & "Unbelievable" cater for that. "It's Goin Down 2Nite" & "Give It To Me" are also good but not big club bangers.

Obviously they need the ballads (Cupid, Someone To Hold, Missing You are perfect from the 3 previous albums). You Said, Slip Away and Right Here For U are in that mould. But then 112 have got more excellent ballads in All My Love, Say Yes and Knock U Down. Man's World is pure soul. And Everyday is a brilliant song telling a story from a bit of the groups life. The ballads sink into your head slowly, one by one. You'll find youself singing them in ur head without knowing - seriously. Fans of the ballads must realise though that 112 needs fast and slow songs because this is what sets 112 apart from any other group and makes them the best.

Writing this makes me wanna give the album 5stars because all the songs are good. Nobody can say anything bad about a song - taste & mood just define what you prefer more. Hot & Wet is one of their best uptempo songs ever (i have to say it is probably better than Peaches & Cream???). You Said and Everyday strike me as pure quality. Slip Away & Right Here For U are class as well. Everyone I know loves All My Love.

However we expect too much from 112. You can't write Only You, Cupid or Anywhere twice. You can't get better than that (or even the same). I'm happy with them producing good songs with lots of possible hits. Of course though I want more songs like those 3 because those songs are what music should be.

All I can say sums it up in five words, What Happened To Their Talent?

112 is the group! they had me worried there for a minute because I wasn't feeling part III all that much and their first single NA NA NA wasn't hitting it for me at first, but after listening to the whole cd, i was pleasantly surprised! i haven't really taken it out of my cd player since buying it. i can listen to ALMOST this whole album w/out skipping songs and for me that means a lot especially if I'm spending $13/14 for an album. My favorite songs on the album are:

1. It's going down

2. Unbelievable

3. Everyday (why are they clowning?)

4. Right here for you (best song on the album, hands down)

5. Knock u down (not feeling the terminology, but the song's harmony is tight)

6. Na Na Na (it grew on me)

7. Slip Away (i feel what Daron is saying on that song; 2nd best song on album)

8. Say Yes ( 3rd best song)

Overall this is a more consistent effort from 112, my boys didn't let me down on this one. all the TRUE 112 fans feel me. You got to get this if you don't have it already!

Although this CD had no #1 Hits, it still did fair on the Billboard chart which basically tells how good the singles were. By The way the only #1 hit (billboard rnb chart) 112 ever had was "It's Over Now". The first single dropped was Na Na Na Na w/ Supercat. The single has no chart history on billboard, but was still hot, and did have a video. The next single was Hot & Wet. The radio and video version both featured Ludacris. On the Hot 100, it reached #70, and the RNB Chart it reached 29. This single was the biggest of the album for them. The last single which was second best was Right Here For You which only got to #72 on the RNB chart. The rest of the album is fair. The first two singles were more based towards Hip-Hop genre, and the last one was more of an R&B type song. All of the singles were fire though and I think the album is worth the hits.