Keith Sweat can’t be knocked for riding the Auto-Tune gravy train, not when his use of vocal effects can be traced back 20-plus years. Ridin’ Solo, the singer’s tenth proper studio album, is slathered in it. Sweat’s voice is joined by a number of background vocalists who occasionally step in front to perform the hooks. As he is nearing his 50th birthday, Sweat references Patrón, uses woman-as-vehicle metaphors (on a duet with labelmate Joe), and drops couplets like “You know that girl’s got a fatty and she knows it/That’s why I’m always lacing her with diamonds and roses.” Longtime fans get a couple moments in which Sweat updates his sound to good effect, along with a little Chuckii Booker presence and an unexpected assist from the chorus of Surface’s “Happy.”
Announce: Alexander O'Neal - Five Questions - the New Journey
He was gone but not forgotten for awhile, but now Alexander, who's been making music since the 1980s, is back with an all-new release. It'll be in stores July 27.
Dru Hill, the four singers from Baltimore who are currently appearing on the reality show "Keith Sweat's Platinum House," will further attempt to revive their career as a group with their first album together since 2002's Dru World Order. inDRUpendence Day will be in stores on July 27.