Glenn Lewis

Glenn Lewis is back. After being a prominent name (and voice) for the burgeoning "neo-soul/R&B" movement in the early '00s, the Toronto, ON-based Juno- and Grammy-nominated artist had been largely away from the public eye as of late. Just in case you forgot, 2002 debut World Outside My Window and hit single "Don't You Forget It" had Lewis riding an international high, in term of recognition and profile. A little more than a decade later, Moment of Truth actually represents his official sophomore release, in light of major label and management changes that resulted in planned follow-up Back for More in 2005 and a reported album (Remember Me) never seeing the light of day. Now on the newly re-launched RuffHouse Records and working with producers like Dre & Vidal and Carvin & Ivan, Moment of Truth is just that: an album that plays to Lewis's smooth-as-silk vocal strengths and is content to roam in its traditional, R&B-influenced musical sandbox. Single "Can't Say Love" has a classic R&B groove, while Lewis hasn't lost a step. "Time Soon Come" is a middle-of-the-road mid-tempo number and "Random Thoughts" already sounds a bit dated, with its references to "hashtags" and early-'00-era vocal runs. Fellow Toronto-raised R&B singer Melanie Fiona stops by to collaboratively vibe on the reggae-inflected "All My Love," produced by Dre & Vidal, while other standouts include "Up & Down," "Searching for that One" and "Closer," as well as "All I See Is You" and the Stevie Wonder-sounding "Better With Time." Moment of Truth hangs together, with Lewis proving himself an elite-level R&B artist who could have went the hip-hop-pop route to reflect the mainstream, but has created a decidedly easy-going and honest record that shows he's been gone too long.