Since writing several songs for
Dave Hollister's 2000-released
Chicago ’85,
Tank has been just active enough throughout the years -- as a collaborator and solo artist -- to maintain a constant presence in mainstream R&B. A couple weeks prior to the release of his fourth album,
Now or Never, he received his fourth Grammy nomination (for appearing on
Chris Brown's “Take My Time”), yet he had two only two solo Top Ten R&B singles to his credit and had crossed the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 once. For most of this disc’s duration,
Tank sticks to his solo-artist strength, providing a steady stream of low-key songs for the bedroom. Most of it simmers. The remainder boils. It’s not bound to make him much more popular, but those who dig beneath the surface of mainstream R&B will be rewarded. ~ Andy Kellman