Right from the get-go,
Tony Hussle
's debut album,
Sexy Freaky Electric
, has a jarring juxtaposition: the obligatory intro track featuring his mother explaining that
Hussle
has been playing keyboards since his emergence into the world; shortly thereafter,
utters to his sexual partner in
"Come Again"
to "Roll over, baby/because I ain't done." From there
dips into the
neo-soul
jar of cookies
D'Angelo
had been munching on for a 25-minute introduction to the world and his brand of smooth, seductive, minimal
R&B
grooves. Topic-wise,
presents nothing new, but stylistically he's all over the map paying homage to his forefathers: the ghosts of
Marvin Gaye
are easily summoned on
"In This House,"
Memphis soul
and
Al Green
on
"Wait,"
and one of the best
Prince
imitations this decade on
"Your Girl."
All in all, not a bad debut, but if he really focuses his direction and expands his vocabulary a bit,
could be a serious force to reckon with in the years to come. ~ Rob Theakston