Usually after a quick dismissal of some new song as garbage, I'll eventually come around to liking it. Maybe because the video was really cool or I heard it coming out of some club speakers while I really drunk and suddenly completely understood what the song was trying to accomplish. That never quite happened with "No One", Alicia Keys' grandiose return. I could never get past the strained belting or the fact that she was offering what essentially represented every Akon midtempo song ever.

Besides the synthesizer accents that creep up every now and then, the one part that I did find striking was the way she bellowed "WHEN THE RAIN IS POURING DAAAAAAOOOOWWWWWNNN!" That last note especially had an engrossing reggae vibe that got me wondering if I would like "No One" better when an island twist. As if Alicia had tuned into my private thoughts, she drops this fantastic reggae remix with Junior Reid.

Replacing the original's plodding piano base with a sparse, rocksteady swing, Alicia's upper range shouts seem more fitting. Since she's not fighting against a layered foundation for aural supremacy, a newfound sparkle is unearthed from her epic love plea. We could do without Junior Reid interrupting her verses, but his endearing solo contribution, in which he calls his lady love his "empress" and states that she'll "always wear my crown", and lovely fade-out chants become the magical final ingredient to make this alluring revamp gel so well.

Now, you think if I close my eyes real tightly and wish for the beautiful Ms. Keys to marry me, she'll suddenly knock at the door, or is that pushing it a bit?



DL: "No One (Reggae Remix)" (YFH)