Jaheim switches from Warner Bros. to Atlantic after 2006's number one
Ghetto Classics, and it's business as usual for the singer. He continues to surround himself with a complementary roster of fellow songwriters and producers, including associates old (KayGee,
Wesley Hogges,
Darren Lighty,
Eric Williams,
Balewa Muhammad) and new (
R. Kelly,
Babyface,
Ivan Barias,
Carvin Haggins). Like an overwhelming percentage of
Jaheim's first three albums, there's nothing flashy about
The Makings of a Man. It's built-to-last R&B with a foot in the past and another in the present, his tough-yet-smooth
Teddy Pendergrass-meets-
Luther Vandross voice in full effect. Particularly bright spots include "Hush" (the
R. Kelly collaboration, where
Jaheim feels conflicted over sleeping with his best friend's woman), the
Force M.D.'s-sampling "Have You Ever" (a frank check-yourself number, despite its wistfulness), and pretty much every other track that incorporates a soul classic, whether it's
Bobby Womack's "If You Think You're Lonely Now" ("Lonely") or
Atlantic Starr's "Let's Get Closer" ("I've Changed," featuring
Keyshia Cole). ~ Andy Kellman