Third album from Craig sees him return to his winning formula by teaming up more heavily with his partner in crime Mark Hill. This first single “All The Way” is a summer monster, it is Craig David R&B by numbers, it’s a guaranteed hit, its strong, catchy, infectious, the song is clever, the production is as good as you would expect. Then we have the guaranteed future single “Don’t Love You No More”, this track is phenomenal, pure cross over, but what a song,

Craig explained to us that he wrote it after a nine month relationship, the story goes, his girlfriend was getting fed up with paying more attention to making his new album than her and after a series of arguments she said “I didn’t care who’s right or wrong, I just don’t love you no more”. “Hypnotic” is more classic Craig mid beat R&B that sits as well at radio as it would in club land with a remix. “ Separate Ways” “One Last Dance” and “Do You Believe In Love” are more strong songs with cross over appeal. Another guarenteed single is “Johnny” written about a very strong subject, bullying, Craig puts it across with such passion that you know he has experienced it himself. For pure genius song writing and breathtaking vocal’s and production “Unbelievable” is this albums “Walking Away”. This song will give the hardest, coldest of people a lump in their throat, such is the power of the song writing. Then comes the real urban biz, craig has this uncanny knack of delivering sets that can keep everyone happy. “Jus Chillin” is straight up urban and shows that Craig understands that he needs both the cross over and urban market place to record the kinda success he achieved on his amazing debut album. For the real heads “Thief In The Night” is the killer cut on this set, this really is as good as anything the American R&B scene can offer us. Craigs adlibs, vocals, harmonies and hooks are simply as stunning as the song and its production. The big street joint that re-ignited Craig’s love affair with the urban community “Take Em Off” sits loud and proud on this strong set. Produced and co-written by the Underdogs this track is simply a masterpiece. “My Love Don’t Stop” does just as good job as the aforementioned “Take Em Off” America will simply adore both of these cuts as will the real R&B heads. The perfect finish to this album comes in the shape of the melodic smoothed out “Let Her Go”. Yes this album is commercial, it has plenty of odds on cross over hits. But once again Craig has delivered for the R&B world as well and even the most obvious cross over songs such as “Don’t Love You No More” are that strong lyrically that they will sit well on urban remixes. An album that is every bit as good as his amazing debut, welcome back Mr David.

BIGGER

4/5

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