By the time this long-awaited album saw its release date, most fans had probably read at least a couple of interviews with Alicia Keys in which she explained that first single, "No One"--a firestorm of a song clearly born of a sore heart and steeped in serious soul-searching, was about her decision to retreat from the obligations of stardom when she found out a loved one was in need of her care. The anecdote sticks not just because it explained the song so well--you can actually hear the pain, commitment, and determination in her sultry voice--but because it gets at what makes the woman behind the music so appealing. There's only one way R&B artists grow to become legends, and it's by drenching the words they sing with feeling (think Gladys Knight, Roberta Flack). The skeptical listener might have had her doubts before As I Am, but there's no mistaking it now: Alicia Keys is well on her way to sharing a category with them. This record radiates not just old-soul maturity, the kind Alicia fans say makes her modern rarity, but real soul. Vintage-leaning hooks and horns grab hold on "Where Do We Go from Here" and an assortment of other songs, but Keys can also get by just fine without them, as she proves on more pop-flavored numbers like "Lesson Learned," with John Mayer, and "Superwoman." The genres may be smearing, she seems to say, but bring them on: she won't shrink back. Her commitment is not to a single style but to what's stirring her soul. Because of it, she's moving R&B, or something like it, from the hips back to the heart. --Tammy La Gorce

Japanese two CD pressing of the 2007 release from the R&B/Pop diva featuring a bonus CD containing four tracks: 'Waiting For Your Love', 'Hurt So Bad', 'Superwoman' (Live) and 'No One' (Curtis Lynch Reggae Remix). As I Am is Alicia's most innovative album to date, a collection of music with no boundaries. Influenced by everything from Hip Hop to Soul to Rock to Classical music, As I Am is every bit a sense of rebellion and empowerment. Features collaborations with some of the biggest hit makers in music (Linda Perry, Jack Splash, Mark Batson, Swizz Beats and Kerry Brothers) and includes the first single 'No One.'

When you think of Alicia Keys, you think of an entire package. A 10 out of 10. The Girl has it all, extreme good looks, an abundance of talent and a beautiful personality, oh and she can act too. And i have been waiting for her to release another cd and yes i am loving it. Alicia Keys is back and she's done it again.

I loooved Alicia's debut, Songs in A Minor. I thought every track was great and i fell in love with her. Her second album, Diary of Alicia Keys, I liked tracks 1 through 7...7 being "Diary", the best song on that album. I really was not feeling anything too much after track 7 on that album...but i was still a huge fan. I saw her in concert after she released "Diary" and she was AMAZING. I will def make it a point to see her again in concert when she tours again. I am so PISSED i missed her this summer because i think this is her best work ever! Every track is a great song! She has a more mature raspy sounding voice and has mixed so many styles of music from I Need You to Like You'll Never See Me Again to Where Do We Go From Here to Superwoman, everything's so different and new. It's a perfect mix of fun upbeat songs ( Teenage Love Affair and Wreckless Love ) and lovely ballads ( Sure Looks Good to Me, Prelude To A Kiss, Tell You Something (my fav if i had to pick ONE)....I give every song on this album 5 out of 5 stars!

An amazing artist...may seem like a big stretch to go from Arrica Rose to Alicia Keyes But clearly the commonality between the two is stronger than you may think. Clearly Alicia is such a strong R&B artist with a different style ; hip hop at its best but both of these artists reek with soul in their music. They both sing in their sultry voices with such feeling in their voices and accept no limits when it comes to putting a label on their styles. This album by Alicia is outstanding.

I started not to buy this album, but the price at Amazon.com made it ridiculous not to. I'm glad that I did! I enjoy all of it, especially the song "Superwoman." Alicia Keys has a way with melody that makes you hum the song to yourself hours later. Thanks Amazon!

This CD is awesome. It came so fast, brand new in shrink wrap. Thanks so much.