2009 sophomore solo release from the R&B great, formerly the lead vocalist for The Gap Band. Uncle Charlie features collaborations with Hip Hop luminaries Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and T-Pain and production work by the Gr... more »ammy-nominated duo the Underdogs. Containing sweeping ballads, mid-tempo melodies and upbeat dance tracks Uncle Charlie continues in the musical tradition of the ''de-facto father of New Jack Swing'' Charlie Wilson's fusion of contemporary and classic R&B.« less
2009 sophomore solo release from the R&B great, formerly the lead vocalist for The Gap Band. Uncle Charlie features collaborations with Hip Hop luminaries Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and T-Pain and production work by the Grammy-nominated duo the Underdogs. Containing sweeping ballads, mid-tempo melodies and upbeat dance tracks Uncle Charlie continues in the musical tradition of the ''de-facto father of New Jack Swing'' Charlie Wilson's fusion of contemporary and classic R&B.
"I just saw Charlie live last week here at Camp Taji, Iraq, he brought the house down. Great event, 18 yr old soldiers next to 52 yr old Mac-daddy contractors were out there swinging to Gap Band favorites and very groove-able material from this recording. Charlie is a class act; there was no shameless plugging of this CD that night. He mentioned it maybe twice in a show that ran just under 2 hours, and that was it. "There Goes My Baby" is a hands-down keeper, it proudly showcases this man's tremendous vocal talent, diminished not one iota across decades. The purists may knock some efforts on this CD, but I'll pick it up. It's Charlie and he makes every selection sound good. No doubts. Many people purchase music to simply enjoy at a party or other occasion versus clinically dissecting each track for perceived aberrations in style, accompaniment or instrument usage. Besides, Amazon mp3 purchasing allows you to buy what you want. There's no shipping cost/delay and no need to complain about being obligated to eat the price of a CD you might feel has musical bits of wheat in a pile of chaff. I've acquired many albums and CDs over the years that had selections I initially didn't like, but grew on me over time. This CD is worth giving a chance. Charlie is still The Man."
An "upgrade" of the GAP Band sound that satisfies both young
Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 03/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Charlie Wilson, who turned 56 in January, still possesses one of the best and easily recognizable voices in popular music. The years have not diminished his power and his passion...and "Uncle Charlie" shouldn't disappoint those that remember him from his Gap Band heyday to his "resurrection" at the start of the millennium.
The almost 45-minute long album has a superb balance of the fast, the slow, and the mid-tempo and Uncle Charlie scores on 'em all. Even when paired with "kids" like T-Pain, Jamie Foxx, and Snoop Dog, the singer gives them, and their contemporaries, a lesson in the art of soulful singing. It's no wonder that they - and so many others - respect and revere the former Gap Band frontman.
Best cuts on the album: ALL OF 'EM. NO FILLER HERE. Fans of Wilson will really "freak" when they hear "Let it Out."
Highly recommended is this musical journey with everyone's favorite "uncle.""
Uncle Charlie
Arnita D. Brown | USA | 02/03/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Charlie Wilson is still capable of producing astonishingly vibrant and contemporary sounding records. UNCLE CHARLIE is every bit the worthy successor to 2005's career revitalizing FIRST NAME CHARLIE, LAST NAME WILSON. For Gap Band fans, 'Thinking of You' brings back the group's familiar rhythms and leaves lots of room for Wilson's gigantic pipes. This CD is the best one in my collection. There is not one song that I skip over. What a great CD."
CHARLIE WILSON DROPPED A BOMB ON ME !!!!!!!!!!!!
DAVID G. MCHALE IV | 06/16/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"CHARLIE WILSON sooo "Dropped A Bomb on ME" and I liked it!!! UNCLE CHARLIE is a brilliant bit of work from start to finish, and I can't say how much I missed this man's voice after listening to this disc. I was a big fan of THE GAP BAND in the late 70's/early 80's in High School and never forgot how CHARLIE WILSON'S sexy presence and distinct vocals kept me going through the drudgery of those hideous years. All these years later I think how the music world needs CHARLIE and more excellent albums such as his latest work with all it has going for it. Every song is killer here, and you can't go wrong with this CD. The songs range from mellow, to mid-tempo, to the let's get up and groove everyone! MR. WILSON'S voice has lost none of its funk or fire, as it remains strong and emotive on the ballads as well as the thunderous dance numbers. He's still sexy and cool (the mans always had it!), and I can only say that I regretfully don't have an Uncle like this in my family! The sound and production is rather tight and fresh. His 21st century sound works for him; mature but still fun and hip - there's nothing worse than when you get someone outstanding like CHARLIE WILSON, and then he gets teamed up with producers that want to make him sound like the "current hip 20 year olds". That is so not happening here, and I mean that in the best posssible sense. Like I mentioned earlier, this album is completely steller - and the energy here is just great. Do yourself a favor and make UNCLE CHARLIE a permanent part of your CD collection. I did and I couldn't be happier! Now I can listen to my old GAP BAND grooves, as well as play some new excellent CHARLIE WILSON !!! All I can hope is is that MR WILSON keeps turning out more wonderful material like this - THANKS CHARLIE !!!!!"
Uncle Charlie is AWESOME!
Helen D. Peterson | 04/13/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was a "GAPPER" when the Gap Band was popular and Charlie Wilson still has the funk, passion, sexappeal and love of his craft to make this truly an AWESOME CD to add to your collection. Truly old school at its finest."