On Happy People, the self-proclaimed “Pied Piper of R&B” wants nothing more than to coax the listener to the dancefloor for an elegant night of romance and Chicago stepping - a far cry from the lewd come-ons of Kelly’s signature hit “Bump N’ Grind.” U Saved Me is a full-blown gospel album, though Kelly’s sense of style and invention are as evident on devotional pieces like “3-Way Phone Call” and “Prayer Changes” as they are on his raunchy signature songs. As if designed to be played at a family reunion or anniversary party, Kelly’s double-album opus unfolds with gentle, featherweight grooves and lyrics that emphasize togetherness, optimism, and contentment. Kelly’s first record strictly for the grown-ups.
Though he had already released several hit albums that were explicitly “adult,” Happy People / U Saved Me was R.
