R&B singer Q Parker is enjoying success with his new single, “Beg.” However, I wanted to travel back to 2012 for this week’s Second Listen Sunday and show some love for his underrated debut solo album, “The Manual.”
Parker had already made a name for himself as the co-founder of 112, and given that the group was on hiatus, the time was right to strike out on his own. To drum up interest, Parker began covering popular songs at the time, which he dubbed “Qversions.”
Parker’s first solo single was “Show You How,” written by Patrick J. Que Smith and produced by Kendrick Dean. A mid-tempo ballad, “Show You How,” highlights Q’s awareness of his ongoing discussions with the woman he cares about, showcasing his deep understanding of her struggles. Through the lyrics “Girl, I know how much he put you through,” he shows empathy towards her suffering, preparing him to offer support.
As the song continues, it’s clear that he understands her effort to appear happy but discerns her real emotions when he declares, “I can see it in your eyes; you haven’t been happy in a long time.” His emotional connection with her enables him to perceive her real emotions even though she tries to hide them. While the song didn’t necessarily race up the charts, it was a solid ballad, and I commented on Parker for not using auto-tune.
“Yes” was the second single, which found Parker taking things to the bedroom. Utilizing the production talents of Dwayne Nesmith, Parker starts the slow with a gentle melody that establishes a romantic atmosphere. The lyrics create an intimate atmosphere that allows the singer to convey their deep longing for connection with their partner. The lyrics utilize phrases about physical proximity to show how touch and presence create a vital connection in relationships. Throughout the song, the continual reiteration of “yes” emerges as a meaningful motif representing consent and expressing eagerness to delve deeper into their emotional bond.
As with most indie R&B releases at the time, Parker didn’t get a third single. However, the album still delivers modernized slices of 90s R&B. 112 fans will appreciate the album’s opening intro, his acoustic version of “Cupid,” and his reunion with former labelmates Faith Evans on “Two of Us” and Styles P on “Better.”
Carvin Haggins and Ivan Barias also provided a solid album track in the form of “Belongs To You,” which would have been a hit for any mainstream singer at the time. I also liked “60 Seconds” and “How I Love You .”The album’s only real misstep is “Forced My Hand,” which came across as filler.
While “The Manual” didn’t push Parker into successful solo stardom, it’s a solid project worth revisiting.
Final Grade: B+
“The Manual” is available on all streaming platforms.
