Album Review

Keith Sweat can’t be knocked for riding the Auto-Tune gravy train, not when his use of vocal effects can be traced back 20-plus years. Ridin’ Solo, the singer’s tenth proper studio album, is slathered in it. Sweat’s voice is joined by a number of background vocalists who occasionally step in front to perform the hooks. As he is nearing his 50th birthday, Sweat references Patrón, uses woman-as-vehicle metaphors (on a duet with labelmate Joe), and drops couplets like “You know that girl’s got a fatty and she knows it/That’s why I’m always lacing her with diamonds and roses.” Longtime fans get a couple moments in which Sweat updates his sound to good effect, along with a little Chuckii Booker presence and an unexpected assist from the chorus of Surface’s “Happy.” ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi