What a difference a name makes. Back when he went by his real handle John Stephens, this singer and pianist could be found toiling behind the likes of Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z and Janet Jackson.

Since he became a sidekick of red-hot hitmaker Kanye West and changed his name to Legend, this neo-soul talent has jumped the velvet rope between obscurity and Next Big Thingness.

Judging by the 14 tracks on his debut studio disc Get Lifted, he's in the right place. Legend has a supple voice, a love for old-school grooves, a nice touch with a melody, and best of all, doesn't suffer from the melismatic malaise that afflicts so many crooners of late.

Yeah, he benefits from the proximity of West, who exec-produced the disc and drops an onanistic rap on Number One. Ubiquitous guest-lister Snoop Dogg also pops in to repent his pimpin' ways on I Can Change.

But even without their help, Johnny clearly has the goods to be a legend in the making.

Track Listing:

1. Prelude
2. Let's Get Lifted
3. Used to Love U
4. Alright
5. She Don't Have to Know
6. Number One
7. I Can Change
8. Ordinary People
9. Stay With You
10. Let's Get Lifted Again
11. So High
12. Refuge (When It's Cold Outside)
13. It Don't Have to Change
14. Live It Up