After recording a few albums for Chrysalis, Jellybean Benitez moved to Atlantic with the generally disappointing
Spillin' the Beans. A producer, writer and mixer as talented as
Jellybean should be recording excellent albums, but instead, much of this dance-pop/R&B collection (which often wastes the talents of female vocalists like Niki Harris, DeAnna Eve and Cindy Valentine) is surprisingly mediocre. The album does contain a few impressive cuts, including the amusing "Love Is a Contact Sport," the infectious "deep house" number "What's It Gonna Be" (an appropriate vehicle for Harris), and the Caribbean-flavored "Secret Weapon" (available only as a bonus track on the CD version). But for every worthwhile offering, there are three unimpressive ones.
Jellybean is capable of much more. ~ Alex Henderson