Mandy Patinkin / Bernadette Peters - Sunday in the Park with George CD

The UK's secret weapon against US boy bands could very well be found in BBMak and the group's debut, SOONER OR LATER. Take that slick pop formula and add a rockier underscore and you'll be pleasantly surprised with tracks such as "I'm Not in Love" and "Back Here." The most immediately appealing facet of BBMak's hook-driven, harmony-laden sound is the predominant use of acoustic drums (which at times seems to border on extinction in most modern pop bands). An R&B, acoustic rock and disco-influenced sonic stew is served up in tracks like "Next Time" and "Unpredictable." Tasteful strings and piano give "Ghost of You and Me" serious radio potential as a mid-tempo ballad. "I Can Tell" features Latin-flavored acoustic guitar while "Love is Leaving" boasts a majestic chorus. "Love on the Outside" offers a neo-funk groove and '70s style wah-wah guitar, while "Still on Your Side" has a clear path to chart dominating single status. The guitar-driven "Can't Say" makes smart use of well-crafted arrangements while "Again" closes SOONER OR LATER with moody keyboards and a vocal tour de force. Brit pop triumvirate BB Mak's 2000 debut full length on Hollywood Records. Features the hit single 'Back Here', plus the tracks 'I'm Not in Love', 'Again' & nine more. BBMak: Christian Burns, Mark Barry, Ste McNally. Producers include: Oliver Leiber, John Shanks, Rob Cavallo, Robin Thicke, Jon Lind. Engineers include: Barry Rudolph, Allen Sides, Ed Thacker. Audio Mixers: Chris Lord-Alge; Jack Joseph Puig; Marc DeSisto; Mick Guzauski; Rob Chiarelli; Tom Bender. Photographer: Andy Earl.