A Long Time Coming

Take the title to Wayne Brady's full-length singing debut as bombastic -- as in "the great Wayne Brady will finally grace us with song" -- and you're missing the point and more importantly, the charm. One listen and A Long Time Coming instantly feels like a reference to Brady's enthusiasm over living the dream, recording R&B that's influenced by Babyface and Luther Vandross, plus a bit of what came before with a touch of adult contemporary. This is grown folks music with a demographic that matches daytime television's but it's hardly contrived. In the case of "Can't Buy Me Love," it's quite inspired with Brady turning the Beatles' chestnut into a slow jam ballad, one perfect for whatever "Pillow Talk" show the local R&B station airs on weeknights. High-top fade and moms who wouldn't let you get Jheri curls are the sweet memories that fill "Back in the Day," a giddy highlight that doesn't blush when gushing over Thundercats, friendship bracelets, and "Members Only/Kid 'N Play/That's how we did back in the day." Just as good and even more old-school is "I Ain't Movin," a finger-snapping mod-soul song featuring authentic farfisa organ and tambourine. With an orchestra behind him, Brady does just fine when walking on hallowed ground and delivering "A Change Is Gonna Come" in way that's both respectful and obviously enamored with Sam Cooke's performance. "F.W.B." stands for "Friends with Benefits" giving the album its raciest moment, with "Ordinary" and the previously mentioned "I Ain't Movin'" both singing the praises of long-term monogamy. Going where Usher won't, the wholesome "All Naturally" gets sugary about that "just woke up" look with "You don't have to wear lipstick/To make me wanna come taste your kisses/You don't have to get your hair did/To make me wanna run my fingers through it." It's that "hair did" line that Celine would never deliver -- at least not as sincerely -- that reminds listeners there's been a gap in adult music since Luther left and Anita Baker became underproductive. With a George Duke guest performance, gorgeously polished production from the Heavyweights team, plus plenty of heart-on-the-sleeve lyrics, Brady helps fill that gap, giving the R&B-loving Mom and Dad their next great date night album.
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