As an album title,
Good to Be...
drifts off on a wave of ellipses, but on the record itself, it's presented as "Good to Be (Home Again)," making the spirit of
Keb' Mo
's 15th studio album explicit: he's settled into a comfortable groove, appreciating good vibes and mellow grooves. Despite cameos from
Darius Rucker
and Americana stalwarts
Old Crow Medicine Show
, there's not a pronounced country or folk undercurrent here.
is cut from the same cloth as 2011's slick, soulful
The Reflection
, only it's even smoother and mellower -- so low-key, it can veer into adult contemporary territory, a connection underscored by
Kristin Chenoweth
's appearance on the album closer "Quiet Moments." If
sometimes is a little too cozy -- it's executed well and its unifying spirit is evident, but a cover of "Lean on Me" still feels a little overly familiar -- it's nevertheless a warm, welcoming album that's every bit as soothing and comforting as
Keb' Mo'
intended it to be. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine