Record Review - 1 April 11 2001

Some relationship experts say the transformation begins in the late 20s. That’s when the male species starts to set aside his tail-chasing ways and focuses on finding meaningful, lasting connections. For the artist once crowned The Bachelor, it seems to be taking place on his third album, The Life.

Ginuwine seems to be done with the suave player antics that characterized the platinum outings The Bachelor and 100%. The Life has its share of flashy bump ‘n’ grind tunes, but there’s a noticeable emphasis on being with the one. That stab at vulnerability allows his vocal skills to be put on display. Refreshingly, it’s present as he croons, “God blessed me with you ... share my world,” in the ballad “Difference.” The same strength drips through other slow and mid-tempo jams such as “Tribute to a Woman,” “Why Did You Go Away?” and the Dianne Warren-penned “Superhuman.” Ginuwine even confronts his parents’ death in “2 Reasons I Cry.”

But the 15-track album isn’t all Oxygen network. It gets some testosterone in “There it is,” a comeback to Destiny’s Child’s “Bills, Bills, Bills.” Still, the more raw and tender “Open Arms” is the one destined to cross over.

Ginuwine plays the PlanetJam Cotton Club Thurs., April 12.??