Want a second round of the "love", a second helping of the "soul", and a second taste of the "groove"? Well you are in luck, because LSG2 is now on the menu.

LSG2, is the second installment from the R&B musical merger of Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat, and Johnny Gill. The challenge this time may have been getting their schedules to coincide to complete the project. But the mission is accomplished concluding that the present state of R&B isn't in as much trouble as we think. The men stick to their individual brand of lovin', but when they combine the soul, their groove is a winning formula once again.

The trio teams up with songwriters and producers, Mike City, Stephen Russell, Kandi Burrus, and Darryl "Delite" Allamby, for some authentic grooves. Check out the track "Wide Open" with the impressive rap performance by relative Jimmy Austin, and the hit making songwriter Burrus holding down those backing vocals. Known for their tantalizing lyrics the fellas immediately shake things up with their latest single "Shakedown". They order the suspect to "put your hands up", and "spread your legs out". Sweat's got the warrant for the search and seize, Levert's got handcuffs and is not afraid to use them; while Gill is going to personally haul you off for incarceration. Suddenly the thought of being arrested sounds appealing. "Cry and Make Love" is one of the five tracks penned by Levert. His passion only proves that he's a force to be reckoned with on any given day. To top it off, he even borrows a hook from one of his daddy's hits singing "we're not the only people in the world who go through ups and downs" If that's not enough, Gill chimes in and out, adding his bone chilling verses respectfully. He puts it over the top with his adlibs on every song. Listen closely for his falsetto on the soul wrenching track "Lessons Learned". Other noteable traks on this sophomore project is the first single "Just Friends", featuring "Loon"; "Fa Free" "All I Know" and "Yesterday".

LSG2 may not stack up to the first release in terms of an all-star collaboration, or the quantity of ballad tracks. [I'm still floored by Door #1] Fans were also short changed on the cover art. However, what may be lacking, is made up in the way these gentlemen demonstrate the finest R&B to date. So enjoy this selection of 'lotsa souful grooves' served up by the cream of the R&B crop. Robin A. Jones 7/30/03