MICHAEL B. SUTTON
Hopeless Romantic (Little Dizzy Records)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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If Michael B. Sutton's music seems like a throwback to a previous era, the glory days of pop-flavored R&B as exemplified by the classic Motown sound, it's only because he was, in fact, such a large part of that sound and that era. Although he scored some dance floor hits under his own name during the disco era, Sutton's primary contribution was as a staff producer and writer at Motown Records for seven years, a tenure that found him working on hits for Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Thelma Houston and more.

He faded from the scene, though, as he struggled with agoraphobia (a struggle he deals with quite openly today). Hopeless Romantic is his comeback effort, and lovers of lush, romantic R&B will find it well worth the wait. It's highly reminiscent of some of Marvin Gaye's later work, with a strong dose of healthy eroticism that makes it a fine accompaniment to a late night session with candles and wine as well as an album that should fill dance floors from coast to coast.

R&B for grownups by an artist who's been there and is definitely back, Hopeless Romantic is my "pick-up music" pick of the month.

Track List:

Body Music * If You Let Me Love You * Give It Up * Do That To Me * Sweet Surrender * Flight * Interlude * Feeling Down * Love Me Inside Out * I Wanna Sex You * Interlude * Lover's Serenade * Nobody * Hopeless Romantic

© 2003 - Shaun Dale