A bit ago, I spoke of Kimberley Locke, her debut single "8th World Wonder" (now #1 on Billboards Dance Chart (Remix version), and offered MY opinion about it. Well, on Saturday I purchased Kimberley's debut solo record in it's entirety, aptly entitled "One Love". I have listened to the album a few times over and have come to a decision about the album as a whole.

"8th World Wonder" is a GREAT start off single release. BUT....what amazed me was this. It's NOT the ONLY strong track on the album. *CURB promotions is doing an excellent job in promoting Kimberley. She is clearly visible in the media at the moment....and "8th World Wonder" is steadily gaining airplay on radio stations everywhere.

"Have You Ever Been In Love" is the second track on the album and is a future single release, I am sure. Now, moving onto the third track...."Wrong"... It's much like Kelly Clarkson's "Miss Independant" with an add of Christine Augilera's "Fighter". But, better than both. Clearly, Kimberely does not have the strong vocal range/capacity that Mis X-Tina possess's but, Kimberely can sing Kelly Clarkson into the ground 1000 times over. My favorite lyric in this this tune is " You Tell Me To Twist...You Tell Me To Bend......But I Won't Break To Just Fit In......I'm Free...To Be Me....Nobody Tells Me Who To Be". "Wrong" undoubtedly SHOULD be Kimberley's second single release. Definite airplay for this one when released. How is it better than Christina's "Fighter"?? Well, the lyrics are tighter in my opinion and not as over produced. The guitar in this song is more clearly visible and gives it that Janet Jackson "Black Cat" feel.

"I Could", the third track is a love song, but not the usual love song. It's a different twist on that much recorded/written about subject. It's about loving someone but then asking them "Do you really want to give your life to thinking you found TRUE love when it really hasn't found you"? Who can't identify with this song? All of us have been in a relationship where we truly do love and care for the person we are seeing....but in our hearts, we know that they aren't the one. But we don't want to hurt them either. The more I listen to this album the more apt I am to go past the first three tracks and begin with this one. This song is going to be a smash.

The fourth track "Without You" is a duet with Kimberley's old American Idol partner Clay Aiken. This will be short.....I, personally could have done "Without" this track. Clay sounds more feminine singing this song than Kimberley does. Clay's voice/pitch could be compared to that of George Michael..... when George is zipping his pants and inadvertenly catches his nuts in the teeth of the zipper. I guess Kimberley felt an obligation to Clay and had him be a part of her album since they are in fact Room mates. But, who am I...Billboard ranks this tune as one of the best tracks on the album

What album would be complete without a heartfelt love ballad. "Before" is a beautifully written, sung and arranged. The lyrics are words that everyone has felt and thought when in love. Check em out.......

"Before"

"Before" by Kimberley Locke...written by Aaron Sain


I never knew I was existing
Getting by from sun to sun
Missing out on what my life
Someday would become
There were friends and there were lovers
There were times I really cared
And every now and then someone
I thought I always wanted there
I laughed and dreamed, I moved
And my heart beat.......but

I never lived before, never felt before
Never breathed until I breathed
The same air as you
I never gave before
Always wanted more
And with one touch I knew I'd never loved
Before....you

It's like I never saw a sunrise
Til I woke up by your side
Like I didn't see the moon until I
Saw it in your eyes
And never kissed
Until your lips touched mine

I never lived before, never felt before
Never breathed until I breathed
The same air as you
I never gave before, Always wanted more
And with one touch I knew I'd
Never loved Before....you

Before you there was no music
No rhythm and no rhyme
Now life is like a symphony
And my heart is alive

I never lived before
Never felt before
Never breathed
Until I breathed the same air as you
I never gave before
I always wanted more
And with one touch I knew I'd never loved
Before....You

Oh oh oh
One touch I knew
I never loved......... before.......you


I wont go on and on about every track on the album. Because, personally, every one has an opinion and critics are useless in my eyes. What I may like..you may not and vice versa. So, to wrap it up.....I love the album. It holds true to all my expectations. And props have to go to Kimberley for having 80's dance/pop singer, Shannon (Let The Music Play) appear on her album as a back up singer and composer on the track "You've Changed".

Go Buy ONE LOVE. I think it's the best release from any past American Idol Contestant and I feel that the beautiful Kimberley Locke has a long musical career ahead of her.

Don't forget, to download the Dance Remix of "8th World Wonder" for free go Here