September 29, 2006 @ 1:28 pm

Sleepy Brown - Mr. Brown (Purple Ribbon/Virgin)

by: Sean Fennessey

right It's a luxurious invitation that has helped soften the edges - and boost the sales - of countless country thug MCs. With a lilting falsetto that recalls Curtis Mayfield, Sleepy has been the soothing, seductive voice (see Outkast's 2003 come-on "The Way You Move") of Atlanta production kingpins Organized Noize, creators of some of the finest soul music of the last fiftenn years. This breezy debut, arriving after years of push-backs, is true to form: There are soaring hooks aplenty, but there's little to fill the gaping holes in between. This leaves Brown ot just with half songs, but also with half an identity. Is he a utility playre or the star? In parts Mr. Brown is a competent collection of quirky slow jams ("Underwater Love") and Meteresque funk ("Till Your Legs Start Shaking"). But the turgid opener "I'm Soul" begs for an assist from a Dungeon Family pal or two. And the two songs with guests - the cascading beachfront jam "Margarita," featuring Big Boi and Pharrell, and the lurching callipe-laced "Oh Ho Hum," with Joi - easily outshine the rest, proving that Sleepy may have been better served working the phones, asking his friends for help. He's certainly owed the favors. Do you want VIBE delivered to your home or office? CLICK HERE.

Article tags: Big Boi, Margarita, Mr. Brown, Organized Noize, Outkast, Pharrell Williams, Purple Ribbon, Sleepy Brown 

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