For John Stephens, mellifluous soul charmer, Kanye West protege and self-proclaimed Legend, the term "difficult second album" is especially meaningful. His debut, Get Lifted, was nominated for eight Grammys and won three, putting Once Again in the position of having to match its success or be considered a turkey.
There's no reason it shouldn't match it, though - unless his voice ends up on a list of banned substances because of its high-calorie creaminess. What worked so profitably for him before also works now: his tunes are little Motown-ish symphonies, lit from within by his quiet-storm intensity, itself beholden to Smokey Robinson. Save Room should be an easy hit single, if it's not too late in the year for something that evokes gauzy curtains wafting on a summer breeze.
Conversely, four-to-the-floor disco rump-shaker PDA will prove its worth at Christmas parties. And the idea of "sinfulness" alluded to on Again will keep his legions of female fans happy till 2008.
