Album: All the Man You Need
Artist:
Will Downing
Release Date: 7/18/2000
{^All the Man You Need} was hailed as {$Will Downing}'s return to R&B music. Though after a listen, there isn't a huge difference between this album and his R&B/smooth jazz-oriented recordings of the mid- to late '90s; which isn't a bad thing. Though the beats may hit a little harder and there's more adherence to R&B ballad song structure, the focus is still on {$Downing}'s warm baritone vocals, soothing production, and good songs. The singer makes fine use of a soaring sample from {$Noel Pointer}'s cover of {$Stevie Wonder}'s {&"Superwoman"} on the breezy {&"Share My World."} Other highlights are {&"Real Soon,"} the {$Downing}/{$Chante Moore} duet {&"When You Need Me,"} the snappy, ultra jazzy {&"Tired Melody,"} a string-laced cover of {$Bill Withers}' {&"Grandma's Hands,"} and the smooth, skirting title track. Fans of {$Will Downing} and adult-oriented R&B music will be thoroughly pleased. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide