On Earth, And In Heaven

Even a mortal enemy of Robin Thicke would have to concede that the singer had a too-tough go of it after the 2014 release of his previous album. That LP, Paula, proved to be an ineffective appeal to make full amends with Paula Patton. During the three years immediately following his divorce, Thicke dealt with the deaths of his father and manager, and he lost both his house (to the Woolsey fire) and the lawsuit alleging that he and Pharrell Williams lifted Marvin Gayes Got to Give It Up for Blurred Lines. Just after the latter two blows, in December 2018, Thicke issued his first single as an independent artist. A ballad of sorrow, contrition, and revival, Testify began a slow lead-up to his eighth album, in the course of which music executive giant Andre Harrell -- Thickes mentor, executive producer, close friend, and godfather of Thickes son -- died at the age of 59. On Earth, and in Heaven features Forever Mine, a wafting jazz ballad of whole-hearted conviction that Harrell approved. Beautiful, embracing love in the face of devastation with elements of doo wop and chamber soul, was co-written by Gianni Credle-Harrell, Harrells son. Thickes devotion to and reliance upon his inner circle extends to working with Williams and Chad Hugo on Take Me Higher, a free-spirited dancefloor cut that parties (responsibly) like its 1979, and Lola Mia, a boogaloo-flavored dedication to his daughters. Apart from those two songs and the fleet Hola, a sweetened and loved-up number replete with one of the albums very necessary flugelhorn solos, the album sticks with reflective and romantic ballads that are among the most genuine and stirring moments in Thickes catalog. Last but not least is Thats What Love Can Do, a Philly soul-styled testimony of romantic salvation that became Thickes fifth single to top Billboards adult R&B chart. The how-the-hell falsetto baby Thicke repeatedly delivers within suggests that Blue Magic and the Stylistics are closer to his heart than ever. From top to sturdy bottom, this is an impressive rebuild. ~ Andy Kellman

Blurred Lines(13年)の異常ブレイクや以降のゴシップで認識が止まっている人もいるだろうが、ここ数年の彼は天国と地獄の後に訪れた新たな楽園でマイペースに活動中。父のアラン・シックと後見人アンドレ・ハレルに捧げた約7年ぶりのアルバムはそのハレル最後の仕事のようで、そうでなくてもシルキーな00年代の躍進期を想起させる素晴らしい名品だ。相棒プロ・ジェイとの変わらぬコンビで全編を手掛け、オーガニックな"Lucky Star"での幕開けから絶好調。情熱的なサルサ"Lola Mia"や哀愁の"Look Easy"などラテン色も交えつつ、リラクシンな"Forever Mine"や切実な"That's What Love Can Do"などの伝統的なスウィートネスが染み渡る。ファレル作のディスコ"Take Me Higher"はまた心配だが。
bounce (C)出嶌孝次