GROWN & SEXY [BABYFACE]

It would be accurate to say that Babyface (aka Kenny Edmonds), has been one of the most influential R&B talents of the past 20 years. Not only has he released a body of solo work that has consistently charted and sold well, but as a songwriter and producer he has been instrumental in various successes of other prominent artists, among them Bobby Brown, Sheena Easton, Johnny Gill, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, En Vogue and Mary J. Blige! In short, his record speaks for itself. And so does Grown & Sexy, a polished, emotive and entertaining album in the finest Babyface tradition.

If you're expecting a host of sultry ballads and down-tempo grooves, you won't be disappointed. That's Babyface's forte, and that's what he delivers here with 13 tracks that are as rich as fine chocolate yet never overdone. And of course it's all very sexy, as exemplified by the title track -- a sultry dance joint with a down-tempo clap beat -- and the airy ballad "Mad, Sexy, Cool." Equally heart-and-soul tugging is the lush and creamy ballad "Can't Stop Now." With its slightly retro tint, this is one of the tracks on which Babyface extends his vocal work, proving once again that not only is he a singer of great elegance, he has excellent control, range and power.

On a singles-laden disc, it's hard to go past "Drama, Love & 'lationships" and "She" for best tracks. Both cuts take an acoustic route. The former finds BF at his expressive best with a lounge-bar style of song that builds beautifully and uses breezy harmonies to touch the heart. Meanwhile, "She" is just a downright pretty song. A love song through and through: "The first time I saw her/ It was heaven, yeah/ The prettiest thing I'd ever seen."

Several tracks are a little more energized, among them the edgier, slow funk of "Goin' Outta Business," the peppy "Good To Be In Love," and the semi-disco throwback "She's International." There's no shortage of fun... or tracks to dance to.

Here is a quality album that true fans of contemporary R&B won't want to pass up. It has all the hallmarks of a Babyface classic. And all things considered, that's really saying something.

By Adrian Zupp