Artist: Brian McKnightTitle: TenRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Nia B
Brian McKnight’s album titled Ten (Warner Bros.) marks his latest and tenth effort to show R&B fans that his vocal talents and versatility continue to get better with time. Fifteen years into the industry and three label deals later, Brian has landed on Warner Brothers Records. With his new deal, he recreates himself despite how today’s R&B has evolved into an era where the prerequisite involves being an entertainer who sings and dances. If you’re a Brian McKnight fan this CD should meet your approval, but at the same time if you’re looking for R&B with a Hip-Hop twist you won’t find it here. This is a mellow CD made for the mature R&B fan.
While Brian executive produced a majority of his CD, he brought along the production team of Tim and Bob who have scored hit songs for Nas, Boyz II Men, and Bobby Valentino, as well as Brian Cox who has worked with artists such as Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey. The overall tone for Ten is a revealing one where McKnight talks about past experiences and relationships, reminiscing on both the good and the bad. His hit single “Used to Be My Girl” tells of seeing an ex-girlfriend with her new man, but he knows that she still has feelings for him. While other tracks like “Unhappy” and “Again” speak about how he can be sad by himself and how it’s not possible to be in a relationship with the same women another time because of how she broke his heart. Then there is the song “What’s My Name” where he tells about his bedroom skills and how he put it down on a former lover and that she knows that he’s the best she’s ever had.
Overall, it’s apparent that Brian is very open and honest with his music this time around, and while the mature R&B fan will relish the contents of this CD wouldn’t it be entertaining to see Brian do a short Ne Yo/Chris Brown style routine? Just once… Okay, maybe not.