The James Logan Courier

By Carmen Shiu, Courier Entertainment Editor

Frankie J. finally released his third solo English album, Priceless, this past Tuesday, October 17, 2006. Known for his soulful voice and beautiful ballads, slow songs outnumbered the faster songs on this 12-tracked album, which is different from his previous records, What's a Man to Do and The One. Frankie J. has writing credits for all 12 tracks on this album.

The first single, "That Girl," had its peak on the Billboard Hot 100 at #43. Some consider this song as a true hip-hop song. It was produced by Mannie Fresh, who also appears on this track with Slim Thug. However, this song has two versions. There is one with Slim Thug and another one with rapper Chamillionaire, who is in the "That Girl" music video. Although the single has yet gone up very high in the charts, the Bay Area radio stations play this song often.

There are four songs that Frankie J. fans can vote for as the second single off of Priceless. The fans are able to vote for their favorite at http://frankiejonline.com/songvote/. Currently, there are over 200 votes with "Daddy's Little Girl" in the lead.

Lyrics and content wise, "Daddy's Little Girl" is one of the best songs off of this album. If you truly listen to the lyrics and Frankie J.'s voice, don't be surprised if chills start running down your spine. He sings about him getting a divorce from his wife, but there's a daughter in between who is deeply affected by this. He "dropped his suitcase by the door. She knows her daddy knows that her daddy won't be back anymore." Frankie J. sings the chorus as if it's his daughter talking, begging him not to leave. She then goes on and prays that she'll do anything, including cleaning her room and doing well in school, to have her daddy come back. The bridge ends with "Tell him I love him more than anything in the world as Daddy's little girl." In reality, Frankie J. actually does have a daughter and have had problems with the mother, so it is possible that this song is written for her.

The second track off of the album is a slow song called "Priceless" – also one of the four songs under consideration for the second single. It can be considered as another one of the best songs on this album as well. He sings about missing his woman and wishing she would come back. The title of the album came from this track, which is about love being priceless. He sings, "...If you still believe you're my missing piece. All the money can buy me anything except for you."

"Hurry Up" is mid-tempo song with intense lyrics and is the only non-slow song for one of the choices as the second single. It is about a man who meets a woman and they were getting along. Suddenly, she received a text message from her ex saying that he is now free and will be home soon. She tells him to hurry up because his ex can kill him since time is running up. However, it is too late and her ex comes, leaving him in confusion of where to go or what to do. "Hurry Up" won't be a bad choice for a single, but it is not as good as "Daddy's Little Girl" and "Priceless."

"If He Can't Be" samples Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face." He believes that he can be better than the man this woman is with. This song isn't as good as the other three options for the second single, however. Releasing "If He Can't Be" as a single won't be a good move and won't chart as well.

"Never Let You Down" is a mid-tempo song that features Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Frankie J. sings to a woman he is interested in who was hurt in a previous relationship. He lets her know that she can put her trust in him and not let her down.

"Top of the Line," "Dance," and "I Ain't Trippin'," are all mid-tempo or up-tempo songs. The background music to "Top of the Line" might remind some of Cassie's "Me & You."

"Still" is another love ballad with a very good beat to it. He sings about an old girlfriend that called him and told him that she can't let go of him because she still loves and needs him. His "heart never closed the door," but he had to hang up because he is already in a good relationship with another woman, who is about to have his baby.

Overall, Priceless is an excellent album. It is improvement from his last two English records. Frankie J. became a big name right off of his very first single, "Don't Wanna Try." Although the song didn't chart as well as it should have, it is a true classic for his fans and any slow jam fans. His other previous notably hit singles include "Suga Suga" (with Baby Bash) and "Obsession (No Es Amor)" (with Baby Bash). Frankie J. can't go wrong with releasing either "Daddy's Little Girl" or "Priceless" as the second or third single. Without a doubt they will be become part of his list of notably hit singles with good promotions and publicity. His last English album, The One, debuted on the charts at #3. Priceless is just as deserving to be on the top of the charts.