Lovesick

The long discography of boom-bap specialist Apollo Brown contains numerous albums recorded in duo formation with rappers such as O.C., Ghostface Killah, Guilty Simpson, and Skyzoo. He diverts a bit here by supplying a comparatively smooth (if still slightly scuffed) batch of productions for Raheem DeVaughn, the self-anointed Love King. Its a fine change of pace from both artists. Unsurprisingly, the drums are tough enough to prompt the singer to up his R-rated Dating Game contestant slick talk. On If I Made Love to You alone, he promises a session leading to inebriation, numbness in the extremities, and hyperventilation, and compares the finishing response of his prospective conquest to a running hose. DeVaughn does humble himself when necessary, most memorably so on the hat-in-hand Broken Pieces, which bumps like a lost hip-hop soul gem from 1995. Id even pull up on yo mommas house prompts a wince for what the shameless erotic poet has up his sleeve, but no worry, the purpose of the visit would be to let your sister curse me out. Whew. ~ Andy Kellman

ワシントンDCのR&Bシンガーによる新作はふたたび共同名義で、今回はデトロイトの奇才トラックメイカーと顔合わせ。東のスカイズー、西のウェストサイド・ブギー、南の3D・ナティといった各地のMCも招き、硬質かつメロウなビートをバックに、裏声と多重コーラスを交えた狂おしいヴォーカルでひたすら愛について歌っていく。〈リック・ジェイムスの曲みたいに乱れた気分〉と歌う"Rick James"も大甘のスロウだ。DCの女性シンガーもお披露目。
bounce (C)林 剛