Musiq Soulchild: Luvanmusiq

With the release of his fourth studio release, Musiq Soulchild (yes he brought the "Soulchild" back) gives his fans an album that we've been waiting for. Four years has been much too long to wait, yet after listening to the album, it's almost like he never left. The album's first single, B.U.D.D.Y., has received regular air play on radio stations nationwide. While, I'm not too crazy of the track, it's nice to see Musiq coming back out and showing the music industry that he can be both a critical and commercial success.

With only 10 tracks on the CD, and no introduction, Musiq takes you right into the thick of it, with his B.U.D.D.Y. hit. and takes you on a "luvan" forty-nine minute ride. The whole CD is reminiscent of what real R&B used to sound like, words have meanings- not just empty verbs and phrases. One song in particular, comes to mind. Teachme, is a lovely ballad about a man struggling with the complexities of love and matters of the heart. Yet, willing to release his fears and surrender to his emotions. With this track being the second single, it should receive a good amount of air time. The R&B of today needs more music like this, to show other male artists that it's not necessary to disrespect women to make a good album.

As you continue to listen to the album, it has that signature "soul" sound to it that takes you back to that first love you had and how it felt to feel something so new and exciting, yet so comforting that it was hard not to give in. I have to admit that after being away for four years (a long time in the music industry) I wondered if and when Musiq would come back. Fans of soul or neo-soul music have seen artists come and go, i.e. Glenn Lewis, Remy Shand, Sunshine Anderson and Koffee Brown. All of them had the voice and musical ability to pull it off, but for some reason or another after their first or second albums no one ever heard from them again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest CD from Musiq. He finally has given his fans something that we have been waiting on for a very long time. While he may not win several awards from this album, it is definitely a keeper. Bottom line: You won't be disappointed.