Ginuwine | A Man’s Thoughts
For a minute there, I wondered if slow burnin’ crooner Ginuwine will ever set out to flow the mic once again, as well as groove the dance floor with moves reminiscent to the late Michael Jackson. His sleek ever apparent looks combining with high quality productions for R&B tracks from over the years always left ‘open the door’ what chances his career could progress to. Since Ginuwine broke out with chart topper “Pony” from his debut album in ’96, many his previous 5 projects couldn’t keep the fire lit long enough to know whether or not he was destined to blow down the R&B/Soul door wide open.
But with the release of his 6th deal, “A Man’s Thoughts”, that may all change. This album contains a great mixture of danceable beats & jams, as well as cascade the ladies & gentlemen with slow cuts reminiscent to traditional ballads of R&B music. I dug the melodies, as well as checked the duets he had with the aforementioned below. What’s left is the question of whether or not this project will stick around with us, with sounds appealing enough to be played back well after the release date.
Track Listing:
~ Interlude
~ Show Off
~ Trouble (Feat Bun 
~ Last Chance
~ Interlude
~ One Time For Love
~ Open The Door
~ Get Involved (feat Timbaland & Missy Elliot)
~ Orchestra
~ Touch Me
~ Lying To Each Other
~ Even When I’m Mad
~ Bridge To Love (Feat Brandy)
~ Used To Be The One
~ Show Me The Way
The “Interlude” of course, is the norm for a intro to the main course, but then “Show Off” reaches from the back to the front, with a slow entrance to an otherwise upbeat jam. It fades right into the duet with Bun B in “Trouble”, a mid-tempo head bopper. “Last Chance” which recently featured the hugely successful movie ‘Transformers 2’ superstar Tyrese Gibson in the music video blazes the hot spot. So did “Get Involved” feat. Timbaland & Missy Elliot.
However, the CD changes gears & softens up the listening appetite with Ginuwine reminding his fanbase that he stills has it for the quiet storm/slow jammin’ dept. with tracks, “One Time For Love”, “Open The Door” (See Video Box Above), “Orchestra” & “Touch Me”. Of the four mentioned, The “Open The Door” track stayed fresh on my mind in the mist of my review – with the melody, the message & the question: The background vocals sounded like Former lead singer from R&B group Next – R.L…..and I’m sure it was. The overall effect given from the single was on hit & shines bright about the love senses Ginuwine had left on the listener.
Very smooth & sensual, the flow doesn’t really let up: “Lying To Each Other”, “Show Me The Way”, “Even When I’m Mad” & special guest Brandy to “Bridge To Love” easily makes this project out to be a more traditional R&B record rather than a collection of dance jams. Still appealing for today’s generation. Good decision on Ginuwine’s part to go that route, for I came to this conclusion…
A Good Recommendation. Go get it.
This is one of Ginuwine’s finest hours of music in his career spanning a somewhat 13+ years. I really got into the compositions, more so with the slow ones as opposed to the fast. It shows a great deal of maturity as well as exposed the wonderful vocal talent Ginuwine is known for. I hope to see another one of these projects down the road from him…
Terrill Hanna
The Urban Music Scene