Search - Ginuwine :: Back II Da Basics

If These Are The 'Basics', Then Ginuwine's In Trouble!

Charles L. Hubbert | Milwaukee, WI | 12/04/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"We've been waiting a little bit for Ginuwine to make his way back into the R&B market and give these newcomers a run for their money. After exploding on the scene back in 1996 with the "gotta-grow-on-you" production of Timbaland on The Bachelor, Ginuwine made us believe in him and his career when he dropped 100% Ginuwine in 1999. Dropping gems like "So Anxious," "None Of Your Friends' Business," and "What's So Different" solidified his longevity in this music business. But Ginuwine struggles to make his name recognizable and one of the biggest in the R&B world has always been more than a notion. With constant competition from fellow R&B balladeers like R Kelly and Usher, he had to keep the hits coming and remain exceptional at the same time. He put out The Life in 2001, still making the ladies feel him with "Differences" and "There It Is." He kept it going with 2003's The Senior with super hits like "Stingy" and "In Those Jeans." Now it's 2005, and it seems as if Ginuwine has finally hit a brick wall with Back II Da Basics.



Even though The Life and The Senior had decent sales and a few big hits, the albums themselves were less than stellar. So listening to Back II Da Basics was already something that was heavily pondered to begin with. But once it started playing, it became clear that there was very little discretion put into screening some of the decisions that were made on a few of these songs. "Betta Half" would undeniably be a stand out track if it weren't for Ginuwine hooting like an owl at the beginning of the song! "Oh Girl" has a lot of energy, but still comes off just as unconvincing as The Senior's "Hell Yeah." "Secrets" is one song he should have kept to himself with the obvious attempt to capitalize on the popularity of "off-key" singing from artists like Pharrell. And even though Jazze Pha has a song called "Happy Hour" with Cee-Lo that is meant to be drop dead funny, his rowdiness doesn't bring much to "Secrets" at all. "The Club" is another song that is pointlessly included on the album, steering him far away from the crooning that his fans are more familiar with. "Glaze In My Eye" is tolerable, but it becomes unusually funny when you keep hearing him repeat the title throughout the whole song.



There are a few good album tracks like "I'm In Love," "She's Like," "Take A Chance," and "When We Make Love" that prove that his ballads are what he should keep his focus on. Listeners are used to hearing these slow jams from Ginuwine and are probably just as frustrated with his latest release as the rest of us that have heard it. He certainly didn't go Back II Da Basics on this album, something that he should have done with the help of the obviously-absent Timbaland. Without him and some creative writing from some great R&B composers, we might not get the real Ginuwine back for awhile.

"

A PLEASANT SURPRISE

Briyanna | Long Beach, CA | 02/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I Love this CD. I find myself listening to it more and more. I bought it because of "when we make love" and I really enjoy the rest of this CD. I have always been a Ginuwine fan but I have have to say that I am impressed. He has grown as an artist and his voice is amazing. I can't wait to see him sing live."

I Love Back II Da Basics!!

Sharron | Upper Marlboro, MD USA | 02/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love Ginuwine's cd "Back II Da Basics". His voice, the lyrics, just everything. He's really matured with this album. I went to his Ladies Night Out Tour and he sounds amazing. This album is hot!!!!!"