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Thin Line
A-Side Entertainment
On Thin Line, Pittsburgh-based singer/rapper J.James makes a bid for mainstream R&B attention, mixing slick beats, rap and smooth ballads into 21 tracks that owe as much to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Timberlake as to Lovesexy-era Prince.
The first half of the disc emphasizes J.James’ high-speed rhymes, like on the safe-sex cautionary tale “Getcha (Leave That Girl Alone)” and the updated heartbreak classic, “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Most appealing is “Don’t Want You,” where Ambition’s supporting vocals lend it a mood reminiscent of Prince’s angry, pouting love songs. “Don’t want to hear about your feelings / Don’t want to hear about your life / Don’t give a damn about your man / I’m not making you my wife … all I know is you’re riding with me tonight.”
The second half of Thin Line has a more open feel, with the atmospheric “Talk 2 U,” the playful waltz “Bring It Home,” and a couple of reverberating piano ballads. Like the disc’s packaging, the music is slick and well conceived throughout, if a bit synthetic. J.James handles some of the production duties, with the lion’s share of the skittering beats going to Mindbender. Sprinkled throughout are some of the usual skits, of which “BlahBlahBlah” is actually quite amusing: a local material girl yapping in yinzer as J.James suavely zones out.
Personally, I get a little fatigued by songs about girls and how hard it is to blow up in Pittsburgh, but J.James seems to have his eye locked on pop stardom, so it’s hard to fault him on that. What’s he supposed to sing about — global politics and contemporary philosophy? It’s a solid effort, and shows a lot of promise — keep an eye out for the “Don’t Want You” music video, coming soon to a MySpace profile near you.
This article appears in Feb 8-14, 2007.
I just went and bought this album, I am amazed this person is from pgh. Hopefully we will here more about him!
He’s great – and this is coming from someone who prefers Vanessa Carlton or Rod Stewart while driving home from work. . . his pop-star potential is undeniable. Listen and see!!
J is somebody that i admire most in this business… he’s extremely talented. his music always comes through for me… no matter what im going through…theres a song there to back it up… Thanks J. And thanks Pittsburgh City Paper for giving him some extra, well earned credit …
Becky
J.James is by far the best producer and rapper in PGH,
J. James is someone who is very talented with a lot of promise. He’s going to blow up it’s just a matter of time. All he needs is some recognition and thanks to the City Paper he’s starting to get it!
J.James has an amazing talent, and should be acknowledged as no less than a lyrical genius. THIN LINE has a refreshing new sound, with the potential to bring the hip-hop music industry into a new era.
“Thin Line” bridges the gap between what is old and established, and what is new and inventive. J James should pride himself in the fact that he has been able to incorporate the two into a CD that trancends generations. Thank you to the City Paper for highlighting his efforts!!
On a 1-10 the kid is a 20. Get this record, bottom line. Don’t forget about the production genius Mindbender.
J.James music is hot! no other words for it.. there’s heart behind his music and it shows through. Hes going places, with pittsburgh behind him!
His CD is amazing, it puts me in such a good mood. I saw him perform at Club Zoo Friday night and he was just amazing. I was right up front cheering him on, he signed my CD and took a picture with me, I always busted out some dance moves for his camera crew. It was definitely a time I will never forget. He’s such a laid back person. He’s gonna make it big. NO DOUBT