MUSIC REVIEW: GINUWINE ‘A MAN’S THOUGHTS’

From the opening intro — Ginuwine prepares his fans for what’s to come by thanking them for their support over the last 13 years. “Show Off” (Oak) starts the set off nicely, the mid-tempo cut quickly turns into a hot up-tempo in a matter of seconds. Ginuwine advises his lady to show off her swag, “go head let the haters get mad,” a hot jam that is surely to be bumped by mixshow DJ’s. “Trouble,” (Dante “Inferno” Jackson) one of the next singles features legendary rapper Bun B. The song takes listeners back to “The Bachelor” era where Ginuwine was the king of dance and grind, a hot single for the summer.

The interlude before “One Time for Love” which is easily the best ballad & most radio friendly track on the disc, features Ginuwine speaking on a man’s thoughts and has a little sample of Jodeci’s “Stay” at the end which makes it a great lead into “One Time for Love.” Produced by Brian Michael Cox and written by Johnta Austin, the song makes you want a whole project arranged by the duo for Ginuwine. The previously leaked track “Open The Door” a hot collaboration with RL from NEXT proves once again 90’s artists are still making the best R&B music. Speaking of 90’s artists, Ginuwine also teams up with the vocally incredible Brandy on “Bridge To Love” (Elvis “Blac Elvis” Williams) proving once again my previous statement about 90’s R&B music. Their voices mesh well together on this hot mid-tempo. “You need to stop making excuses for everything you do,” Brandy sings in the hook. “

Lying To Each Other” (Elvis “Blac Elvis” Williams) is a hot track, with lyrics that anybody who has been in a relationship that has reached its peek can relate to, it’s sure to be a fan favorite. “Touch Me” (Melvin “Saint Nick” Coleman) another single Ginuwine plans to release in the future with the video already being shot, features an auto-tune hook in reminisce of an old BLACKstreet track. It works for this song, which makes it one of the best songs on the disc. Smooth vocals layered over a hot mid-tempo production. I have a feeling Urban/AC radio is going to play this one out! “Orchestra” (Oak) is my personal favorite song on the disc. From the mellow start in the production to the lyrics and vocal delivery. “She be calling my name, I be making her sing..like an orchestra – as we lay I make the music play, time to make an orchestra“. Baby making music at its best!

“Get Involved,” without a doubt the most hyped-up song, reunites Ginuwine with Timbaland and Missy. A hot club track no doubt, however when you compare it to the rest of the songs on the disc, it comes up short as one the albums highlights. “Used to Be the One” one of the best produced (Melvin Rogers) songs on the album, the beat pulls you in immediately and Ted Clinkscale‘s lyrics with G’s vocals – puts it on the list as one of the top 3 songs on the set.

Overall I have to say – with everybody asking is Hip-Hop dead, my question has been is real R&B dead? Ginuwine proves it’s not with “A Man’s Thoughts” easily the best R&B CD of 2009 by far. Whether you’ve been a fan of Ginuwine or just a fan of good R&B, this is a CD to cop and add to your collection. Support real R&B and go out and purchase it!

In Stores and Online June 23rd!

Final Grade A+
– AriesUBG