Thirty years ago, in 1995, Bad Boy Records was a top-notch record label, but over a decade later, it had begun to lose its luster. While the “Bad Boys II” soundtrack and the debut album from Da Band did numbers, no real superstars were left on the label.
Rumors were rampant that 112 and Faith Evans would soon jump ship, Shyne was locked up, Biggie Smalls had passed away, Total was MIA, Loon’s debut album had underwhelmed, Carl Thomas’s sophomore effort fizzled, and there was little buzz around Mase’s return. But Mr. Combs had one card to play in the form of producer Mario Winans, whose sophomore album “Hurt No More” is this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday.
Winans had already made a name for himself as one of Bad Boy’s in-house producers, so naturally, Puff saw dollar signs and thought he could turn that into record sales. The album’s lead single, “I Don’t Wanna Know,” quickly became a hit built around a haunting sample of Enya’s Boadicea, previously made famous by the Fugees. Winans’s pleading vocals float over a simple, looping beat, giving the track a melancholy yet hypnotic feel. It’s a strong showcase of his ability to blend sensitivity with accessible production, though, at times, the track teeters on the edge of becoming overly sentimental.
The sampling continues the second single, “Never Really Was,” which pays homage to Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach “with a violin-laced instrumental and a lyrical shift towards love-struck devotion. While “You Knew” leans on DeBarge’s “Love Me in a Special Way,” layering a slow, pulsing beat with chopped-up Biggie samples, adding some much-needed edge to Winans’s delicate delivery.
The album’s third and final single, “This Is the Thanks I Get,” features a few bars from his label Black Rob, but it’s forgettable. The same issues pitfall his other labelmate Loon’s presence on “How I Made It” feels similarly disjointed, despite the track’s lively horn-laden production and their chemistry on “I Need a Girl Part II.” After the lackluster response that Winans had with Foxy Brown from 2003′ n “Pretty Girl Bullshit,” one must wonder why put it on the album/
Despite the missteps with guest appearances, Winans does show promise with Already Know, a brief interlude where he plays all the instruments, showcasing his musical ability. Meanwhile, the album’s best song, “I Got You Babe” (which Prince supposedly turned down), should’ve been the entire vibe of the album.
I’m a ballad and slow jam cat, so I expected a little more from Winans’ sophomore album. While some tracks shine, others blur together, leaving “Hurt No More” feeling more like a diary of sorrow than a fully dynamic R&B record.
Final Grade: C
“Hurt No More” is available on most streaming platforms.
