R&B prodigy Kevin Ross recently released his project of 2020, the lovely Audacity, Vol. 2 on the Art Society Music Group. Ross opens up the project with “God Is a Genius,” a lush ballad recalling a seventies Stevie Wonder. Based on the song title, I was expecting some Gospel inspired; instead, Ross gives listeners a bop about soulmates and destiny.
Ross then segues into “I Do/Options.” With “I Do,” Ross sings about being the right one for his current lady, and I loved the production on the song as well as Ross’s harmony. “Options” is a classy “Mr. Steal your girl anthem that avoids corniness or crass lyrics.
As the album goes on and on my second listen, it appears that the talented singer is choosing to explore all the facets of love, and he succeeds with ease. Upon hearing “Remind You,” I wanted Ross to produce a full-on visual album as I could easily see the entire project as a long-form video.
Audacity, Vol. 2, is a fine EP overall and musically better than a few RnB albums released in the summer of 2020. Ross is an immense talent who deserves all the accolades and success sure to come his way.
Final Grade B+
Stream worthy Tracks – The Entire EP
Audacity, Vol. 2, is available on all streaming platforms.
As a longtime music enthusiast, I’ve often wondered how quickly record labels expect lead singers from groups to release solo albums. This question came to mind recently when my iPod played “So You Like What You See” by Samuelle. Listening to the song, I realized he would be a great choice for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
You know the voice. The moment Michael Marshall starts singing the hook in Luniz’s “I Got 5 on It,” anyone who grew up in the nineties knows exactly what time it is. However, nearly a decade before that 1995 hip-hop classic, Marshall was already responsible for another instantly recognizable vocal.
There are some albums you revisit because of nostalgia, and then there are albums you return to because they remind you just how high the standard used to be. Anita Baker’s Rapture falls into that second category. Released in 1986, the album did more than make Baker a star. It helped define what sophisticated, grown R&B could sound like without losing any soul, sensuality, or personality.
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