Pleasures U Like is the third studio album by American singer Jon B. Released on March 20, 2001 in the United States, it marked his first album under Tracey Edmonds' label Edmonds Record Group which was formed after Jon's previous label home Yab Yum Records had folded. The album features guest appearances from Nas, Faith Evans, Cuban Link, and AZ. On Pleasures U Like, Jon reunites with past producers Babyface and Tim Kelley and Bob Robinson, who each produced one song. Also present on the album is the team of musician Joshua P. Thompson and Quincy Patrick.
The album earned generally mixed reviews and opened at number six on the US Billboard 200 and number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 99,000 in its debut week, while also becoming Jon B's first top ten album. Despite this, Jon felt it was not marketed and promoted properly. The only song released from the album as a single was "Don't Talk"- which was due primarily to Jon wanting to get out of his contract with Epic Records. As a result, this would be his final album released on a major label.
Critical reception
Billboard critic Michael Paoletta noted that the "album takes listeners through various stages in a relationship — from "boy meets girl" to "I'd do it all again". The set's all- about-the-vibe spirit calls to Marvin Gaye's sensual 1973 sex ode Let's Get It On." But while a musically maturing Jon B. has a way to go before sliding into Gaye's bedroom slippers, he artfully connects the dots between soulful retro grooves and hip-hop beats." The Orlando Sentinel found that while" the title of his latest album sounds a little redundant," Pleasures U Like "is original, fun and basically a smooth hip-hop flavored R&B; album [...] If you enjoy fun hip-hop that makes you want to dance and sultry R&B; that speaks to the heart, this album is for you."
Tomika Anderson from Entertainment Weekly found that the singer "hits the bull's-eye with his beautiful love songs" and called the album "a soulful smorgasbord," based on the "right blend of intimacy and titillating sex grooves." AllMusic editor Ed Hogan rated the album three out of five stars. He called Pleasures U Like Jon B.'s "most consistent album to date" and noted that a "cool, nighttime dance club vibe flows through the album. Not every song is a dance track; there are also a number of appealing ballads." Diana Evans from NME called the "a sea of rather bland harmonies, limp beats and a ballad avalanche that borders on the tedious" and was "unlikely to bring about any drastic change in Jon's profile."
Chart performance Pleasures U Like bowed at number six on the US Billboard 200 and number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 99,000 in its debut week, becoming the first top ten album for Jon B.
Track listing
Personnel Performers and musicians
Jon B. – drum programming, keyboards, vocals Babyface – background vocals, drum programming, keyboards LeDon Bishop– background vocals Tommy Brown – drum programming, keyboards Kevin Buck – bass Nathan East – bass guitar, cello Faith Evans – background vocals Kenisha L. Greene– background vocals Eric Jackson – guitar Tim Kelley – drum programming, keyboards Tim Kobza – guitar David Kopp – drum programming, keyboards Bill Meyers – horn conduction and arrangement Shawn Rivera– background vocals Bob Robinson – acoustic piano, fender rhodes, guitar Joshua P. Thompson – guitar Phillip "Silky" White – background vocals
Technical and management
Conley Abrams – mixing, recording Jon B. – executive producer, mixing, recording Paul Boutin – recording Jeff Burroughs – executive producer Earl Cohen – mixing, recording Tracey Edmonds – executive producer Jon Gass – mixing Chris Gehringer – mastering Jerome Goodall – recording Dave Guererro – mixing JayJay Jackson – art direction and design Tim Kelley – recording Manny Marroquin – mixing Victor McCoy – mixing Michael McQuarn – executive producer Michael Patterson – mixing Dave Pensado – mixing, recording Josean Posey – mixing Norman Jean Roy – photography
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Pleasures U Like Chart (2001) Peak position
Year-end charts + Year-end performance for Pleasures U Like Chart (2001) PositionCanadian R&B Albums (SoundScan)139 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 78
References