AVANT
Private Room (Geffen)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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I'm an unreconstructed old school R&B fan, so I'm often as not disappointed by contemporary R&B releases. The 'R', after all, stands for rhythm, which is curiously absent, or at least hard to discern, in the beat-obsessed production generally used these days. And the 'B'? That's supposed to be the blues, which, for me at least, requires an element of soulfulness that's equally hard to find lately.

Which brings me to Private Room, the third album by Avant, and one sure to please my old school compatriots as much as it pleases me. There are enough fresh beats to make the album thoroughly a product of its time, but they're accents to the irresistible rhythms, and Avant sings his songs like he cares about them, understanding that matters of the heart do, in fact, matter enough to back up with some feeling.

It's slick and smooth, almost the R&B equivalent of Lover's Rock reggae, but it's also sweet and soulful, and a great excuse for us old school fans to grab some brand new tunes.

Track List:

Private Room Intro * AV * Read Your Mind * Heaven * Don't Take Your Love Away * Have Some Fun * Hooked * Phone Sex (That's What's Up) * Feast * Seems To Be * You Got Me * Wanna Be Close * Everything About You * You * Read Your Mind - Part II The Remix

© 2004 - Shaun Dale