Pretty Ricky Bluestars CD

"Get You Right," a smooth throwback ballad from Miami outfit Pretty Ricky's debut, BLUESTARS, features a hardcore rap that name-checks 1990s groups H-Town and Jodeci. While the four youthful brothers of Pretty Ricky were likely in grade school when these artists had their hits, it's a fitting reference; the quartet's sound reveals an innate feel for the New Jack Swing sound of that time. This approach is evident in both the record's production and its raw sensuality, and the overall vibe is updated with a Dirty South sensibility.

Pretty Ricky features three rappers--Slick, Spectacular, and Diamond--augmented by the resonant voice of Pleasure, whose alluring style falls somewhere between Stevie Wonder and R. Kelly. The subject matter of BLUESTARS tends toward that of the latter (but often hints at the depth of the former), moving from seductions sweet and innocent ("I Want You [Girlfriend]") to raw and lascivious ("Grind with Me") to a combination of the two ("Playhouse," "Can't Live Without You"). Pretty Ricky effortlessly creates soulful music that defies any one time or genre on this impressive debut.

Pretty Ricky, a quartet of related young men who could be filed under R&B or rap, fly so over the top that they can no longer see the top. They're the kind of guys your mother wouldn't think to warn you about. That's how outrageous they are, fitting somewhere between Usher and the Ying Yang Twins at their most lecherous, but they're not nearly as effective as either influence. "Get a taste of the salami, knock you down like tsunami" is not an atypical come-on. A comedy troupe couldn't possibly come up with some of the lines here. Jim Jonsin produces most of the tracks, switching from pared-down Southern bumps to contemporary R&B backdrops. The group has more talent than they lead you to believe. Maybe they won't be so hungry for street credibility on album number two. [A clean version of the album was also made available.] ~ Andy Kellman

Recording information: Blue Star Studio, Miami, FL; Circle House Studios, Miami, FL; Platinum Studios, New York, NY.

Photographer: Jonathan Mannion.

Arrangers: Static Major; Diamond "Baby Blue" Smith; Damon Eden.

Personnel: Pretty Ricky; C Milli (vocals); Ludas Charles (guitar); Coop (keyboards); David Chiverton (drums); Blaque Soul Choir, M.H. Cooper, Troy Taylor (background vocals); Static Major (vocals, background vocals); Pleasure (keyboards, background vocals); Diamond, Slick , Spectacular.

Audio Mixers: Kevin "KD" Davis; Ray Seay.com; Alvin Speights; Rich Keller.