I bought THE DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS a few days ago and let me tell you, it is the best album I heard in 2003 :D . I can tell you more, this is THE BEST SOUL ALBUM OF THE LAST TEN YEARS!!! Am I wrong? Am I overreacting simply because I'm wanting to listen some REAL SOUL MUSIC, not this Hip-hop hybrid called "nu soul"? Don't get me wrong, I really like NU SOUL (ERIKAH BADU is number one on my book, her MAMA'S GUN album is a classic), but give me albums like THE DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS anytime and I'll be happy. YOU DON'T KNOW MY NAME is one of the most beautiful and thrilling songs I've heard in years - it makes me think of some bold soul ladies of the 60's and the 70's, like SHIRLEY BROWN, BARBARA MASON, & ARETHA. But there's more to this album than just one great single: ALICIA KEYS rendition of the classic GLADYS KNIGHT ballad IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN is wonderful (I'm not comparing ALICIA with GLADYS, it will be unfair - you know, GLADYS KNIGHT is my favorite singer EVER). This is the album I've been expecting from WHITNEY or LAURYN HILL for years, but they seem not capable of delivering a real soul album anymore. So, long live the new Queen, ALICIA KEYS!

What do you guys think about THE DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS? Let me know.

Peace,

zeca azevedo