June 26, 2003 @ 8:00 pm

GINUWINE - The Senior (Epic)

by: Aliya S. King

Let’s just get this out in the open: It’s unfair—but necessary—to compare Ginuwine to R.

Let’s just get this out in the open: It’s unfair—but necessary—to compare Ginuwine to R. Kelly. Like Kelly, Ginuwine loves to perform overheated ballads and midtempo grooves soaked in sexual innuendo. And both artists owe much to soul stirrers like Otis Redding, Al Green, and Sam Cooke. But the recent release of R. Kelly’s Chocolate Factory, his most soulful album to date, makes him the king of modern R&B. So now, amidst all the would-be R&B superstars, Ginuwine is struggling for second place. To that end, his fourth album, The Senior, is a no-holds-barred attempt to secure his position. His voice has never been American Idol strong—he’s often relied on charm and abdominal muscles to lock down a place in the hearts (and fantasies) of fans. But The Senior’s producers—among them Troy Oliver (Jennifer Lopez) and Troy Taylor (B2K)—have experience working with artists whose slight voices aren’t always equipped to handle heavy scrutiny. When a note can’t be held for as long as it should, these pulsating tracks, layered with heavy instrumentation and seamless background vocals, take center stage with ease. While R. Kelly’s unapologetic thug persona resonates with the fellas, Ginuwine sticks to satin-sheet ballads and the grooves that give him the opportunity to show off his dance moves. This set boasts even more baby-making music than his previous efforts. But this time around there are no ill-advised remakes (like “When Doves Cry” and “She’s Out of My Life” from his first two albums, Ginuwine…The Bachelor and 100% Ginuwine, respectively). The album’s celebratory “Our First Born” is destined to be a go-to song for ghetto-fabulous baby showers this summer. Remember how open we were when K-Ci from Jodeci said, “So you’re having my baby / And it means so much to me…” on 1991’s “Forever My Lady”? It’s the same sentiment here. “Lockdown,” on the other hand, is an aural love letter from prison that winds up on the losing side of banality with lines like “How will I make it up in here / I will miss everything I have….” (You can just see the video, with a shirtless Ginuwine making collect calls to his girl.) His pleading and wailing also go overboard on “Better to Have Loved.” And as always, Ginuwine sweats through an unnecessary up-tempo track. Here, it’s the first single, “Hell Yeah,” a yawn-inducing ear splitter, featuring as guest rapper the ubiquitous Birdman, Baby. But Ginuwine fares better with sexy midtempo romps. On “Big Plans,” featuring Method Man, Ginuwine belts out a come-hither track with club-ready intensity. “In Those Jeans,” a catchy ditty paying homage to the female form, is another Ginuwine special. And on “Cheddar Bring,” which decries the pitfalls of fame and fortune, Troy Oliver’s subtle production combines stutter-step nuances and inventive vocal effects. Not much has changed for Ginuwine since his debut, The Bachelor. He’s still racing R. Kelly to see who can sing the ladies out of their panties first. While he can’t rightfully claim to be the king of this era’s R&B, he makes a case for the second slot by sticking to what works for him. With competition from artists like Jaheim, Usher, and Tyrese intensifying, Ginuwine is content to keep giving it straight to the women who pay his bills. And for those ladies, No. 2 will do just fine.

Article tags: GINUWINE, Senior, Epic