Luther Vandross. Barry White. Teddy Pendergrass. Marvin Gaye.

Oh, come on – I know what you're thinking…those names scream "Let's get it on". These artists and some others like them have a reputation for performing the sort of music many people prefer for getting into the mood.

So, what about Brian McKnight?

Sure – not a lot of argument from me; this guy has a voice and a style that I doubt anyone is gonna kick out of the bedroom. His latest album Gemini has that classic male R&B sound and it's more risqué than past albums, but this time, you've gotta manage to look past the cheesy pickup lines before you can get down to business…

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Hey baby – what's your sign?

Brian McKnight has always been smooth with his music – a favorite with the ladies with his warm voice, stylish melodies and easy going delivery. He's had huge R&B hits with ballads like One Last Cry and Back at One, his musical pedigree includes his family connection to jazz vocal masters Take 6, and he's worked with other artists like Vanessa Williams, Mariah Carey and Justin Timberlake.

Maybe it's his recent divorce. Maybe it's his the fact that he's a Gemini (if you believe that sort of thing). Whatever the reason, Brian takes more risks lyrically on this album and he plays up his new status as a single player. The voice and the music are seductive and beguiling; McKnight knows how to work it, and his songs have the right mix of jazz harmony, R&B groove and percussive urgency – these are songs that you feel deep down. Lyrically, there's a lot of confidence in these come-ons but some of them show that he's a bit out of practice – do lines like these work anymore?

Already a hit on the Urban AC charts, What We Do Here offers a glimpse of some stolen moments backstage…

If you have any questions girl go on and ask
Right now our reputation is still in tact
Ten minutes till curtain call
Everything will be okay
I swear this has never happened once before
Chances are you won't get back once you're out that door
Your body is telling me yes, you can believe me when I say
*excerpted from What We Do Here

Or how about Stay, where Brian runs into an old flame somewhere and lays this one on her…

It's been too long
Since last I saw your face
You been keepin' it tight
And everything appears to be in it's proper place
We laughed about it back in '94
Reminiscin', I'm hoping for a little old times sake
Can you stay
* excerpted from Stay

On the other hand, Brian comes up with some more marvelous balladry, coming straight from the heart with lyrics like these…

Everytime that I'm with you girl
Can't believe you share my world
But it's real
And everytime that I hold you close to me
Forever is all that I can see
* excerpted from Everytime You Go Away

Or this romantic sentiment…

there's no place
I'd rather be
Than here with you

but you still have to get around lyrics like these that are in this very same song

I reach around with that little booty
And it feels so good…
*excerpted from Here With Me

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C'mon girl – it's all good…

Whether he's going for the heart or going for it all, I have to admit that Brian does both with style. Most of the record features his signature smooth R&B sound, though there are a few stylistic changes that may or may not work. A guest appearance by Twalib Kweli and Musiq during She works well, while What You Gonna Do falls flat where Juvenile and Skip contribute. Prince fans will instantly recognize the sexy vibe McKnight flaunts (and flaunts WELL, I might add) in Everything I Do - Brian is no slouch with the falsetto sound.

One of my favorite tracks right now is Come Back to Me, a solid jazz/R&B jam with that genuine midnight flavor – the sound of this song reminds me somewhat of Kenny Loggins' Love Will Follow (that's a VERY good thing, by the way). McKnight wants his baby back, and he's willing to do what it takes to make her see that fact.
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So, what's it gonna be?

Brian McKnight's new album Gemini is a confident come-on from a guy who's a bit out of practice with the scene, and his approach seems a little dated at times, but the simple fact is this – McKnight's style and sound is irresistible. McKnight is smooth, his songs are just right for getting in the mood, and he knows how to work it. Not everything here works perfectly, but we've all got to put up with a little imperfection in every relationship, right?

Let's get it on... ;) ;)
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Brian McKinght - Gemini
Release Date: February 8 2005, Motown Records
*All quoted song lyrics are the copyrighted property of their owners

Track Listing
Stay With Him (intro) / What We Do Here / Everytime You Go Away / Grown Man Business / Everything I Do / Here With You / All Over Now / She / Stay / Come Back To Me / Whatcha Gonna Do? / Your Song / Me & You


Recommended: Yes