It might make some feel old, but the babies conceived to "Freak Me" are now college-aged and Silk, along with other groups from the early-mid '90s R&B male harmony explosion are back on the road with lucrative tours catering to the nostalgia market. Still featuring all the original members, the quintet's seventh album (and first offering in a decade) doesn't stray far from the lush, melodic harmonies that enticed listeners out of their Karl-Kanis and into their boudoirs with such well crafted, carnally minded gems as "Girl U For Me" and "It Had To Be You."
The title track opens the set on an appropriately amorous note with the group's still-stellar harmony showcased over a seductive downtempo pulse. Always an under-rated lead singer, Gary "Lil G" Jenkins has never sounded better than on charming first single "Love 4 U 2 Like Me." "Slow Grind" and the Prince homage "Baby Maker" keep the passion flowing, and if sophomoric cuts like "Baby Suit," with its exhortation to the ladies to "wave their panties in the air" cringingly verge on self-parody, the brisk and funky "Billionaire" rejects materialism in favour of mature commitment. While this comeback falls short of Silk's previous efforts, Quiet Storm is sure to be the soundtrack to more than a few romantic encounters.
(Shanachie)The title track opens the set on an appropriately amorous note with the group's still-stellar harmony showcased over a seductive downtempo pulse. Always an under-rated lead singer, Gary "Lil G" Jenkins has never sounded better than on charming first single "Love 4 U 2 Like Me." "Slow Grind" and the Prince homage "Baby Maker" keep the passion flowing, and if sophomoric cuts like "Baby Suit," with its exhortation to the ladies to "wave their panties in the air" cringingly verge on self-parody, the brisk and funky "Billionaire" rejects materialism in favour of mature commitment. While this comeback falls short of Silk's previous efforts, Quiet Storm is sure to be the soundtrack to more than a few romantic encounters.