Kelly Rowland, one third of the best-selling female musical groups to date, Destiny Child has now delivered her voice to millions of fans as a soloist. She's now poised to show the world another side of Kelly Rowland with the release of Simply Deep, her debut solo album, on Music World Music/Columbia Records. Already making her presence in videos, with a slew of #1 hits, features in magazines and multi-platinum albums, television performances and concert worldwide, Kelly continued to garner industry accolades, winning Grammies and other awards, in addition to the love of press and fans.

Simply Deep is a highlighted view into Kelly's heart and soul. She says, was exactly her desire. "I wanted people to be able to see me as me, not just as that girl from Destiny's Child," Kelly says, "I wanted them to see someone who has gone through a lot of real life experiences and is so happy and so blessed. I wanted people to really see a side of me that they may not know." To attain this goal Simply Deep sheds the Destiny Child's comparisons and goes for an unexpected sound, embodying more piercing guitars and gentle acoustic six-strings, synths and turntable scratches. Simply put, Simply Deep according to Kelly, the point: "We wanted our solo albums to be different from Destiny's Child without comparison to the group's work."

Her lyrics blankets subjects from God to love, bringing range without the depth to her project. There's are rock 'n' roll, a blues style singer/song writer vibe, however the R&B has an edgy undertone, but lacks the soulful luster her vocal ability requires. Fourteen songs with just passing grades, debut single Dilemma co-starring Nelly made a radio impact. Now her follow up Stole, a song some may relate to, delivers good vocals and concept but lacks true emotion within the production.

Other songs like Heaven gives the same feeling, whereas she distinguishes her sound integrating a Blues with Rock 'n' Roll riffs. Nevertheless to include her dance enthusiast, Kelly revives the CD with a L.A. style club song, Can't Nobody and a New York dance floor winner in Past 12. Forget any other ballads; Love/Hate and (Love Lives In) Strange Places are definite winners. Simply Deep is far from being horrible, the high point it's no comparison to the Destiny Child projects, but does falters! Simply Deep lacks the smooth transition to introduce her individual style and sound, while just narrowly capturing her vocal uniqueness and ability.

Ms. Rowland may be pleased with her new album however the number of television theme style songs could lose her audience. Conveying her experience in depth and with passion lyrically and sharing it all with her fans. "Simply Deep captures a full range of life, love, all its pain, joy and happiness.

Pulling in a *** 1/2 out of SIXSHOTS

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