Urban Mystic Ghetto Revelations II CD

Urban Mystic's second album isn't much different from his first. Mystic continues to offset his throwback soulman nature with loads of lewdness, and Kay Gee handles a lot of the production (though the overworked-as-ever Scott Storch also handles a few tracks). More bizarrely, the second song on this album is exactly the same as the second song on its predecessor, which is actually flat-out baffling (though it did deserve to do better on the singles chart when it was first released). There's an even more concerted effort to ensure that Mystic's name is known in the rap world, since Paul Wall and Trick Daddy make appearances, and a greater portion of the album is aimed directly at the clubs. A lot of soul fans will have a problem with the fact that an interpretation of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" immediately precedes a song in which "come" would take on an entirely different meaning. No matter which side of Mystic you prefer, the singer remains one to watch. The appeal of his voice will only increase with age, and hopefully he'll do some maturing at some point and rely less on crass wordplay. He's too talented to be placed in the same context as fellow Floridians Pretty Ricky. ~ Andy Kellman

Recording information: Da Mill; HIt Factory; SoBe Studios; Unsung Studio.

Photographer: Tony Cutajar.

Personnel: Urban Mystic (vocals); Stack$, Paul Wall , Pitbull, Smitty, Trick Daddy (rap vocals).

Audio Mixers: Colin Michaels; Franny "Franchise" Graham; "You Can Ask" Giz; Ray Seay.