Dave Hollister - Chicago 85 The Movie

Dave Hollister is back. And he's still keeping it ghetto, even after his somewhat disappointing debut, Ghetto Hymns. On this 14-track effort he easily eludes the sophomore jinx, fulfilling more of his potential than he did on his first album. He enlisted the help of everyone from Puffy hitman Chucky Thompson to Tim, Bob, and Vidal Davis, so this record is smooth midtempo R&B that walks the line between R. Kelly and Gerald Levert. The bass- and snare-heavy "You Can't Say" and the warm ballad "We've Come Too Far" capture the soul of classic R&B, but enrich it with the razor-sharp edge of hip-hop. You could say it's neo-soul for radio worshipers. But Hollister isn't just going for the status quo: he keeps it gangster on the piano- and synth-heavy "Don't Take My Girl Away," another of his many odes to Baby Mama Drama. He also goes for that Luther Vandross-feel on the piano- and bell-embellished "Destiny." This is a movie you shouldn't miss. --Kenji Jasper