R&B singer-songwriter Brian McKnight returns to the scene with his latest release Exodus on The SoNo Recording Group. Serving as his sixteenth album in a twenty-eight-year career, McKnight has hinted that it will be his last album of original material. McKnight opens the album with “Unbelievable,” before transitioning into the singles from the album, which all appear at the beginning of the album.
“Neva Get Enuf of U” is up first and opens up with similar production to Tim & Bob. McKnight guides through the song with ease, and I can see this song being remixed with EDM production for fans of that sound.
“’42 (Grown Up Tipsy)” is up next and is more of a slow jam than the preceding song. Naturally, given the title, one would expect McKnight to venture into a sound to cater to today’s youth. Still, the singer keeps the mood grown and sexy. “Nobody” is a classic wedding ballad that McKnight is known for, while “Bad” is a nice steppers groove.
“When I’m Gone” seems like McKnight’s farewell song to his fans as he uses a lost love as a motif to bid farewell to his fans. McKnight has always excelled more at ballads and slow jams, and his latest release is no different. “Stay on Your Mind” and “Sexy” are better songs than some of the 2020’s releases from other singers.
Listening to the album, it’s clear that McKnight’s new marriage to Dr, Leilani Malia Mendoza played a part in his writing process. The songs “Hula Girl (Leilani)” and “My Baby” are clearly about her. I also commend McKnight for the album’s closing track, a cover one of Sting’s classic songs, Fragile, and giving it some R&B flavor.
Brian McKnight has had a fantastic career that any singer, no matter what the genre would love to have. While McKnight has sixteen albums, it’s surprising that he’s still releasing new music. He could easily make a living touring off his old material. If Exodus does prove to be the singer’s swan song, not only is the album a decent addition to an already impressive catalog, it’s also a great closer.
Best Tracks: “Stay On You Mind,” “Sexy,” “’42 (Grown Up Tipsy)” “Neva Get Enuf of U
Final Grade B
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I took a trip back to 2007 and revisited “Don’t Talk Just Listen” from the group B5. Hailing from the Peach State, B5 comprised the Breeding Brothers, Bryan, Carnell, Dustin, Kelly, and Patrick. Initially finding success two years earlier with their cover of The Jackson 5’s “All I Do,” their debut did just enough with their preteen fans to warrant a second album.
With the exception of a few cases, R&B groups experienced a period of stagnation in 2007. While some groups continued to tour and perform their renowned classics, releasing new music was infrequent. To commemorate this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I would like to acknowledge a notable piece from Jagged Edge’s sixth album, “Baby Makin Project,” titled “Whole Town’s Laughing At Me.”
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, we are taking a trip to the Great Lake State and showing some love to R&B Band Ready for The World and their self-titled debut album. Arriving in stores on May 14, 1985, via MCA Records, the album on which the band produced their first single was “Tonight.”
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