Simply Deep

Personnel includes: Kelly Rowland (vocals); Nelly, Solange Knowles, Joe Budden.
Producers include: Jany Schella, Anders Barren, Bam & Ryan Bowser, Sean Hosein, Dane Devillier.
Following a game plan in which each member of Destiny's Child temporarily takes a stab at a solo career, SIMPLY DEEP represents the second such project. Unlike Michelle Williams's gospel-pop crossover HEART TO YOURS, SIMPLY DEEP finds Kelly Rowland using an R&B base as a springboard to flexing her stylistic muscles. "Dilemma," a summer 2002 smash Nelly duet based on Patti Labelle's timeless "Love, Need And Want You" served notice on the radio and charts that Beyonce Knowles wasn't the only major talent in DC. Throughout these 14 cuts, the Atlanta native continually impresses, particularly with skills as a ballad singer on the gorgeous "Heaven," opening number "Stole," and Quiet Storm-ish "Haven't Told You."
Other highlights include the swirling "Simply Deep," a duet with Beyonce's little sister Solange that allows Rowland to pour on the vocal melisma a la major influence Whitney Houston. Balancing out these mellow moments are the bouncy "Past 12" and soaring, ethereal alterna-soul of "Train On A Track." Less effective is the bonus "Make U Wanna Stay," a plodding hip-hop-flavored duet with Joe Budden that doesn't find its principals synching up in an effective manner.