Bobby Valentino - Valentino, Bobby (R&B) (CD 2005)

Much like its female equivalent, the male R&B music scene is dominated by a few larger-than-life personas with a pack of juniors merely trying to keep pace. Anytime a new face manages to squeeze a hit in between the current twin monoliths of R. Kelly and Usher it s heralded as a breakthrough as is the case with new R&B faceman Bobby Valentino. Originally introduced to the world as a member of Ludacris Disturbing Tha Peace collective, Bobby V. s velvety tenor and softhearted music appears to be that familiar yet new sound that sets stagnant music scenes on fire, and his self-titled debut only adds fuel to the flame.

Perhaps Bobby Valentino s biggest advantage is the fact that the music he makes is fairly innocent in nature. While a good deal of contemporary R&B songs are nothing more than rhythmic odes to beating it up, Valentino generally sticks with the less sexual aspects of romance, such as infatuation, fidelity, and commitment. His first single Slow Down is a perfect example of this, Bobby Valentino attempting to convince an attractive female to slow down and let him spit a little game. The production mirrors this intent well, the optimism of a potential new love reflected in the abundant strings and unsophisticated melody.

Never Lonely further envelops Bobby Valentino s persona in the character of the innocuous suitor trying to slide in once the boyfriend starts slipping up. Older listeners familiar with Jodeci s discography won t be able to shake the feeling that Devante Swing laced this one everything from the reflective strings and keys countering the rugged drums to the vocal arrangements and adlibs practically scream for a few of K-Ci s patented ooh yeahs. Then, Bobby sings of predestined love on My Angel (Never Leave You). The simplistic melody formed from syrupy synths and strings is already saccharine enough, but once Valentino starts singing of childhood crushes blossoming into adult love, you ll be checking your mouth for tooth decay.

Opening with an appeal to fellas to stop doing these girls wrong, the slow and vulnerable One Girl To Love further endears the artist to his female demographic. Lyrically he expresses his desire to find the ideal woman that will compel him to hang up his cleats and declare his playing days officially over. Then, not exactly new territory for R&B, Gangsta Love is Bobby Valentino s ode to the sensitive thug s feminine counterpart, the elusive gangsta girl. A moderately diluted gangsta funk licks create the bouncy sounbed for Valentino s description of his ideal thugged-out-but-still-ladylike homie/lover/friend.

Of course, there s no way Valentino can let the album end without a few songs dedicated to the freak session, but even most of these are tame compared to what many of Valentino s peers are crooning. Come Touch Me is a danceable, P-Diddy pop type of jawn complete with syncopated beeps riding over pounding drums. On Love Dream Valentino shares his desire to spend the night with some unnamed acquaintance and climb inside her world. However, the poor attempt at falsetto singing in addition to the awkward chord progression in the bridge will have you pressing the fast-forward button provided your fingers are not already preoccupied.

Although vocally Bobby Valentino is nothing to get excited about, the combination of his smooth vocals with innocent songwriting and generally catchy production from Tim and Bob is a solid formula for success. However, a side effect of creating an album gravid with methodical baby-making R&B is that the sameness of each song quickly causes one song to blend into another, making the effort feel much longer than it actually is. Bobby Valentino is passable, but the only time you ll really want to play it is when you ve got something better to do than listen to it.

Track Listing:
01. Some Bobby
02. Slow Down
03. Give Me A Chance
04. Never Lonely
05. Mista Valentino (Interlude)
06. Tell Me
07. My Angel (Never Leave You)
08. Want You To Know Me
09. Gangsta Love
10. Come Touch Me
11. I ll Forgive You (Interlude)
12. I ll Forgive You
13. Love Dream
14. Lights Down Low
15. One Girl To Love
16. Thank You Lord (Interlude)
17. Slow Down (Remix)