High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Element of Freedom is the fourth studio album by American R B recording artist Alicia Keys, released December 11, 2009, on J Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during May to September 2009 at The Oven Studios in Long Island, New York. Production was handled by Keys, Jeff Bhasker, Swizz Beatz, Noah "40" Shebib, Toby Gad and Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. Departing from the classicist soul music of Keys` previous albums, The Element of Freedom has a mid-tempo, low-key sound and features mostly ballads.