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Soul man Bobby Valentino, the first R&B star on Ludacris's Disturbing Tha Peace label, may have seemed an overnight success when his hit "Slow Down" rocketed up the charts in 2005. However, there is a reason Valentino's self-titled album sounds more richly honed than most debuts. Like Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, and other R&B artists whose breakout records revealed a deeper history, Bobby Valentino knocked around the music world for years (primarily as member of the 1990s vocal group Mista) before Ludacris signed the Mississippi-born singer.
The experience pays off for Valentino on a record that frequently travels outside of standard R&B territory, as his capable voice occupies smooth compositions, with both passion and restraint. The catchy single "Slow Down" opens on an orchestral hook, before gliding into an ode that pulls off the feat of being both leering and courtly. "Never Lonely" features distorted, quirky stops and starts, but its strongest characteristic is its winsome melody. By the time "My Angel (Never Leave You)" comes around, Valentino has fully seduced the listener with his satisfying and sultry debut.
Recording information: 7th Day Studios, Atlanta, GA; Midas Studios, LA, CA; Moodswing Studios, Atlanta, GA; Record Plant, Hollywood, CA; The Ludaplex, Atlanta, GA; The Preacher's Kids Studio, LA, CA.
Photographer: Christian Lantry.
Personnel: Bobby V (background vocals); Bobby V (vocals); Kaleena Harper, Brooke Newman, Kalenna Harper (vocals); Tim Kelley (various instruments, guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, bass guitar, drum programming); Lamar Edwards (keyboards); Gary W. Smith , Gary Smith, Gary Smith (drum programming); Bob Robinson (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); Annan Gause (guitar); Kevin "KD" Davis, Ludacris.
Audio Mixers: Tim Kelley; Kevin "KD" Davis; Jean-Marie Horvat; Leslie Brathwaite.
Larrance Dopson; Rondeau "Duke" Williams; Gary Smith; Steve "Swift" Thornton; Gary Smith; Lamar Edwards; Gary "Gizzy" Smith
Engineer
Tim Kelley; Jun Ishizeki; Andrew Haller; Rondeau "Duke" Williams; Dale "Rambro" Ramsey; Gary Smith; Steve "Swift" Thornton; Gary Smith; Michael Eleopoulos; Andrew Nast; Lamar Edwards
a great cd considering its his first Overall this cd was really good and i enjoyed just about every song. My favorites were Gangsta Love, Lights Down Low, One girl to love and etc. Bobby V outdone hisself with this album & it was his very 1st one. I am a big fan now more than ever because he can definitely blow!!! Submitted by Brittany (Da vill) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Good I really enjoyed this album a lot especially the Slow Down Submitted by barbour_brenda (Barbados) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
This album is OK I will say the best song of em all is slow down. Though before buying just listen to a few and if its your kinda music go for it if not then dont bother. Submitted by myrule18 (West London) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
New jack soul with pure, old-school sensibilities! Even though this has been mentioned, It's worth a second shout-out, this guy wasn't just plucked off the street. He and his original group MISTA, back in 96', had two hits off that album with "Black berry Molasses" and "Lady" before the group broke up. Production for Bobby V. is nothing short of pristine! I don't know who this producing duo, Tim and Bob, are but if Chaka Zulu/Ludacris are smart, they'll recruit them for the long haul. There sound is fresh, smooth, and original. I especially like their use of asian sounds in a couple tracks. On top of have Luda/Chaka there was also a fifth producer in Jeff Dixon. I have to read the liner notes to see what his contribution was to this album but his name sounds familiar. I also love that Chaka and Luda didn't make Bobby V's album too hip-hop and kept, even the mid-tempo tracks, as smooth as the slow jams. This makes for an album that you can rock in your car as well as the bedroom. Not cursing on the album was a surprising yet welcome touch. I always believed that singers have gotten too blunt in song nowadays. It's great to here a singer that can be suggestive without actually saying anything straight out! Doing that also makes it easy for radio to play his singles. A win/win if you as me. I love all the songs but my favorites are "slow down," "never lonely," "my angel," "gangsta love," "love dream," and "lights down low." Watch out Ginuwine, move over Usher, there's a new sheriff in town, and his name is Bobby Valentino!!! Submitted by H.S. (Philadelphia, PA. (USA)) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
R&B...for real, at its best. I used to listen to all tracks from the first to the last, i think i'll buy another copy. Its classic. Bobby V. Yo! Submitted by loluphillips (London) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
a great cd considering its his first
Good
New jack soul with pure, old-school sensibilities!
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