Special Occasion [CD]

Robert "Bobby Valentino" Wilson was once part of the boyband "Mista" but it wasn't til he released his self titled debut album two years ago that He got some time in the spotlight. It was a smooth and seductive R&B album with mostly slow jamz and midtempo's directed to the ladies. "Slow Down" the definite highlight made it to a fantastic #8 spot on the charts. The rest of the album wasn't bad since it was part of a concept to manufacture Bobby V as a romantic loverman, kinda like Keith Sweat or something. However, it didn't have much of a crossover success nor hit material and it was quite one-sided but Bobby showed promise and I was certain that we would be hearing more of him. Sophmore album titled "Special Occasion" has been one of the most anticipated albums for 2007 on my list, cause of one reason. It got really good producers and it seems like it was going to be a mix between slow jamz, catchy uptempos and occasional club bangers. The perfect combination for a good R&B album. Timbaland, Darkchild, Tim & Bob, Sean Garrett and Bryan Michael Cox are some of the producers involved in this project. And if they have a good day at work, there must be a fair share of good song of this album?.

After listening through this album, it turned out that my thoughts were right. It does have a good variety and plenty of good songs. The slower songs still outnumber the faster one's but it doesn't come as a surprise. It kicks off with an intro and right after comes the best song of the album and In my oppinion of the year. "Anonymous" a great uptempo produced by Timbaland that got everything that a good song should have. Beats, Melody, Lyrics, Verse and killer Hook. The song deals with a girl Bobby meets on a club but he doesn't get the name and drives himself crazy for not finding out who this girl is. Sadly, the song didn't become a hit, YET. Maybe it was a lack of promotion or something but it's certainly better then most songs on the radio. "Checkin' For Me" an good uptempo too. Sound like cut and paste for him. An interlude called "Special Occasion" doesn't make much sense and it's skipable. Then comes another highlight, once again an uptempo called "Rearview" produced by Timbaland and with a cameo from Ludacris that really alters the song. Bobby V tries to leave his past behind and "just looks in the rearview" while he flashes trough the past. Darkchild delivers his first of two songs a ballad called "If I Had My Way" a very sad song about not being with the one he truly loves but not wanting to cheat on his current girl. Bryan Michael Cox song "How 'Bout It" got his trademark piano sound and is a slow jam. Decent album song.

Ballad "Turn The Page" was the first single, released already last year but the album that was set for November 2006 was pushed back and the song didn't get alot of promotion either. It's a shame cause it's one of Darkchild's best productions and perhaps Bobby's best ballad with splendid lyrics. "You Don't have to Turn the Page/ I read the story/it ends with You and me". A new soulish slow jam called "Home Is Where You Belong" with great Chinese influenced beats and a backround band. Fabolous appears on "Let Him Go" another slow tempo from Dre & Vidal, But the song itself isn't that good and it feels inadequate. Tim & Bob made a great job on Joe's latest album and produce 3 songs in a row, starting from slow jam "Only Human" which is defenitely a love letter to the ladies. Good nonetheless. Then comes "Can't Wait Til Later" a very stripped down ballad without any fascinating sounds and "I Was Wrong" which is simular and rather boring. A Babyface cover is next "Soon As I get Home" which is ok, but not better then the original, the closer is only about a minute and it's called "Right There (Thanks You) I suppose it's a salute to his fans. If you have the UK edition, there are 2 bonus songs, Sean Garrett's club banger "Wreck" that should have been included here cause it's hot, then "Only One" a very good Tim & Bob trademark with a really catchy oriental beat, better then their other one's included here.

Overall, This is indeed a very good album that combinate Slow Jamz, with Uptempos and it's much better then his last album and should apply to a broader audience aswell (If you liked Joe's album You May like this one too). Unfortunately it's sad that the singles didn't become bigger hits and I'm afraid alot of people may be overlooking it cause of that reason. Personally I'm really enjoying it and think it's one of the best R&B albums of the year. Perhaps it could have been trimmed down from 16 songs to 12 and removed some sappy ballads and included club banger "Wreck" and "Only One" on the US version instead and not just as bonus songs on the Uk edition, which isn't the country he'll sell most albums in anyway!. Needles to say, Bobby V has gone from solid loverman to marvelous R&B ambassadeur AND "Special Occasion" is a hidden treasure you defenitely should be checkin out. 4'5 stars.

Most people were introduced to Bobby Valentino as a member of the group Mista, who dropped a CD in 1996. 99% of people, including me, only knew that they had one song, which was "Blackberry Molasses". I also saw a video that they had on this CD recently on VH1 Soul entitled "Lady". Bobby Valentino came back on the scene out of nowhere with the track "Slow Down". Bobby signed with Ludacris' DTP label and became the first r&b act that released a CD on DTP. In 2005, he released his self titled debut CD. His next single "Tell Me", which featured Lil Wayne on the video but not on the CD version, was also a midtempo jam. "Slow Down", "Tell Me" and the majority of this CD was produced by the production team of Tim & Bob. "Slow Down" and "Tell Me" were midtempo jams but this CD was full of ballads. My other favorite tracks included the 3rd single, "My Angel (Never Leave You)", "I'll Forgive You", "One Girl To Love" and "Never Lonely".

I saw a video that Bobby had to a track entitled "Turn The Page" in September/October 2006. I had to see this video a couple of times before the song grew on me because I wasn't use to Bobby singing in a high pitch. If you have heard his 1st CD then you know what I am talking about. I assumed the CD would be released by the end of the year, but that didn't happen. I saw another video from Bobby in early 2007 entitled "Anonymous" and the track featured Timbaland, who also produced the song. Bobby sings about a woman who he met in a club that he wasn't able to get any information from. Now he's back and looking for the same woman.

After many delays, Bobby Valentino released "Special Occasion" a little over 3 weeks ago. Bobby's CD follows the same format as the first CD did for the most part. The most noticeable difference is that production duties are spread out this time. Not only do you get tracks from Tim and Bon, but Bobby gets 2 tracks each from Timbaland and "Darkchild", as well as a track from Bryan Michael Cox. Timbaland's 2nd contribution features Ludacris as well. "Rearview" (Ridin') is a decent track but when you have Timbaland production you just expect more because of his track. Luda sounds as if he is still doing his verse from Fergie's "Glamorous Life" and while the track may grow on you, as I said before, you just expect better. "Darkchild" produced Bobby's 1st single "Turn The Page", as well as, the track that should be the next single, "If I Had My Way". This track is a stellar midtempo jam and the production and songwriting are on point. "How 'Bout It" is another stellar track that is produced by Bryan Michael Cox, who also produced tracks on Joe's "Ain't Nothing Like Me". He is better known for his production work for Usher, Jagged Edge, Mary. J. Blige's "Be Without You" and Mariah Carey's "Shake It Off". Bobby is at his best when he is doing ballads and midtempo jams. Darrell "Delite" Allamby produces "Home Is Where You Belong". He is best known for producing LSG's "My Body", as well as, his work on Silk's "Tonight" and "Love Session" CDs and Gerald Levert's "Love & Consequences" and "G" CDs. This midtempo jam shows some oriental flavor and Bobby is singing to a woman that he wants to to come back to him. Fabolous, who is set to release his Def Jam debut, "From Nothin' To Somethin'" soon shows up on the Andre Harris and Vidal produced "Let Him Go". This track may not be in your Top 5 from this CD bit it is still worth listening to. Fabolous doesn't show anything new on his verse but the track is still a decent collaboration. The sample on "Only Human" is just plain sick. Tim & Bob show once again why they are so sought over on current and future releases. This midtempo jam is just an example of why the Bobby. V and Tim & Bob worked for the debut CD. On "Can't Wait Til Later" Bobby wants to plan a special night for his woman because he hasn't seen in awhile since he has been on tour. This is definitely a ballad worth checking out. Out of the all the tracks that Tim & Bob produce on this CD, "I Was Wrong" is definitley my favorite. This ballad definitely proves that Bobby V. belongs in the overcrowded r&b game. He wins with the clear emotion that is displayed throughout the majority of the tracks. While me may not write every song, these songs prove to be songs with feeling and you can tell that some of these songs are things that he has actually experienced. Although most people will be mad at Bobby for attempting to remake a Babyface track, "Soon As I Get Home" is actually not that bad if you give the song a chance. Obviously, the track isn't better than the original song, but he does do the song justice. To be honest with you, that's all you should expect from a remake. The singer performing the track needs to do the song justice. The final real song on this CD, "Over And Over" ends up being a sexy, slow jam. Darrell "Delite" Allamby shows up once again for a "Meeting In My Bedroom" type of track.

Overall, I will be admit that I was hard on this CD when I first heard it. After a few listens, I realized that this CD is pretty decent. It's not as bad as I originally thought. The only negatives that I can come up with are the not needed "Special Occasion" interlude, track "Checkin' On Me" which should have not made this CD and should have been replaced by "Wreck". "Wreck" is an uptempo song that I heard even before I heard "Turn The Page" that didn't make the final cut for this CD. Also, Bobby most people who listen to r&b music know who you are. I don't need to hear Bobby Valentino, B V'Tino or any other way you want to say your name on every track.

Other than that, this is a solid r&b release that is right up there with current releases such as Musiq Soulchild, Joe, and Ne-Yo. I still like the 1st CD better but "Special Occasion" isn't too far from his debut. If you liked Bobby's debut CD then you should also check this CD out.

James' Top 5

1) Anonymous w/ Timbaland

2) Turn The Page

3) If I Had My Way

4) I Was Wrong

5) How 'Bout It

Honorable Mention:

Only Human

Home Is Where You Belong

Can't Wait 'Til Later

Soon As I Get Home

This album is a great follow-up to his self titled debut. He had better beats and the album is a bit raunchier...but hey sex sells. The official first single "Anonymous" was a good choice and the video complimented the song. "Checkin For Me", "If I had My Way" are good midtempo songs that are signature Bobby V. His collabos with Ludacris and Fabolous are mediocre but Bobby is at his best when he's singing slow songs trying to win over a woman. His remake of Babyface's "Soon As I Get Home" was actually pretty good, but he didn't quite top the original. It was a ggod try though.

This is a album that is well-rounded and should be given a chance