The long discography of boom-bap specialist
Apollo Brown contains numerous albums recorded in duo formation with rappers such as
O.C.,
Ghostface Killah,
Guilty Simpson, and
Skyzoo. He diverts a bit here by supplying a comparatively smooth (if still slightly scuffed) batch of productions for
Raheem DeVaughn, the self-anointed "Love King." It's a fine change of pace from both artists. Unsurprisingly, the drums are tough enough to prompt the singer to up his R-rated Dating Game contestant slick talk. On "If I Made Love to You" alone, he promises a session leading to inebriation, numbness in the extremities, and hyperventilation, and compares the finishing response of his prospective conquest to a running hose.
DeVaughn does humble himself when necessary, most memorably so on the hat-in-hand "Broken Pieces," which bumps like a lost hip-hop soul gem from 1995. "I'd even pull up on yo momma's house" prompts a wince for what the shameless erotic poet has up his sleeve, but no worry, the purpose of the visit would be "to let your sister curse me out." Whew. ~ Andy Kellman