::ALBUM REVIEW::
by J Matthew Cobb
Posted: November 5, 2009

I first discovered the bubbling craft of Aaron Sledge when I dabbled into Eddie Sea’s compilation Moon City. A song named “India,” exposing a cool summer breeze funk with sexy lyrical lifts, instantly grabbed my attention. That was released earlier this year. “One More Last Time,” buzzing with rich Stargate-Ne-yo qualities, also leaked out on the Internet and exposed a blossoming R&B singer. But Sky High, his urban inspirational record from 2007, picked up serious momentum and three years later EMI saw a golden opportunity. The agenda: re-brand him, give the record an artistic makeover and distribute it nationally.

The self-titled EP rips six of the buzz cuts from the 2007 project and focuses closely on the talented producer/songwriter's ability. In light of the new album’s buzz, he’s already received a heavy endorsement from his musical mentor Eric Dawkins and one quick listen to Sledge's apparent style will generate quick comparisons to Dawkins’ urban R&B skills.

“Closer” and “Da Light” steps out with the seductive Trey Songz/Marques Houston formula using the familiar airy synths. “Hold On” is a safe, encouraging head lifter while “Bad” expounds on God’s greatness while lyrically painting him like a Marvel Comics superhero by using biblical imagery. But the beats and super-urban trends are the drawing magnets on Aaron Sledge's big debut. While his lone spiritual and worshipful leap on the pop-friendly ballad “Did It All For Me” helps in Sledge’s transitional effort into more familiar gospel territory, the album remains a sneak peak at his craftiness and marketability.

He’s a pretty good singer, trained in the coolness of Donny Hathaway, even resembling Ruben Studdard in spots and bearing the youthful urban spice of Canton Jones but it isn’t clear if his earlier ambitions in becoming a R&B superstar is a done deal. The tug of war doesn’t feel like its quite over.