Jody Watley's popularity dipped drastically in the '90s, forcing her into the position of making her Atlantic debut,
Flower, something of a comeback record.
Watley decided to go all the way with the record, hiring an all-star cast of producers --
Malik Pendleton (
SWV,
Mary J. Blige),
Phil Galdston (
Vanessa Williams),
Masters at Work,
Dwayne Wiggins (
Tony! Toni! Tone!),
Derrick Edmondson,
Bryce Wilson (
Groove Theory) -- that help bring her sound into the mainstream of the late '90s.
Flower presents a more mature
Watley, one more concerned with well-crafted, seductive urban soul than dance-pop. It's an attractive sound and, surprisingly, her vocals are rich and nuanced, giving the music the treatment it deserves; she's never sounded better or more assured. Since
Watley and the production are both alluring, it's a shame that the songs aren't deserving of such loving treatment. Only a handful of cuts, such as the
Pendleton-produced single "Off the Hook," are actually strong, memorable songs, but that doesn't hurt the album considerably because the sound of the record is appealing on its own terms. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine