Brian McKnight

By J.D. Piland

One thing is for sure: Brian McKnight loves ladies and life.

Just take a look at some of the titles on his latest album, “U Turn”: “All Night Long,” “Back Seat (Gettin’ Down)” and “Try Our Love Again.”

If you’ve ever listened to any of McKnight’s songs, you already know that.

He uses a mix of slow rhythmic bass lines that set the mood for some serious lovemaking. That’s what Brian McKnight does best.

The aforementioned songs are nothing new for him. McKnight knows how to write them and his voice is pitched perfectly to allow you to get your significant other in the mood fast. This is his staple and he does it well.

While he sticks to what he knows, he does make some strides to branch out to different styles. At the end of “If It Was Cool,” he tries some stylized scat, which doesn’t work in his favor. It does not suit him as well.

The most noticeable branch he extends is hip-hop.

While this certainly is not out of the realm of McKnight’s talents, he is comfortable with the faster paced beats and different singing styles. He is right at home amongst some of today’s biggest rappers, like Fabolous and Nelly. He also welcomes fellow R&B artists Carl Thomas, Tyrese and Tank to join him on “Good Enough.”

McKnight’s voice has been described as the best in the R&B business. He again proves this. The way he flows from each song is flawless. He manages to sing soft, melodic love songs to the bass heavy bedroom ballads.

McKnight takes a turn for the worse when he addresses the war with Iraq on “One of the One’s Who Did.”

The song talks about the ones lost and how we should pray for those that are overseas. He lets us know that he does not agree with the war.

Kirk Franklin steps in to add a religious feel to the track, ending with a prayer.

While that is fine, it seems to be out of place on this album. It is stuck at the end of an array of songs that convey love, desire and sex.

Whether it’s for the love of his life or for people he has never met, McKnight has love on the mind.