Vikter Duplaix

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the "Virginia is for Lovers” campaign, but after listening to Vikter Duplaix’s compilation of singles and collaborations I think it’s safe to say: Virginia, it’s time to move on ‘cause Vikter just seduced your slogan and now it’s over at his house making out. The man must be an altruist at heart because this album is destined to help lovers (and lovers-to-be) start on the couch and end up in the bedroom! With Duplaix’s smooth R&B vocals over classy broken beats, these ten tracks amount to more than your average flat-footed attempt at seduction on record. The conviction and variation of his vocals are as integral to the swoon effect as are his explorations of the angles of love. Friendship, sexuality, life experience, admiration and curiosity are doused in sensuality and drizzled with lust. As a respected producer with ten plus years in the game Duplaix keeps his rhythms just as tight as his words. Featuring the restricted funk, the slight bounce of house and garnishes of jazz common to broken beat, Duplaix shows off his Philly learnings. But it isn’t all strawberries and chocolate. For example, the spacey "Galaxy” (quick! Call Jamiroquai! Space/love theme alert!) isn’t nearly as moving as the expression of travel awe in the Jazzanova track "Soon” (the other Jazzn track, "That Night” does well to capture the heat of a one-nighter sans numbers in the a.m.). When it comes down to it, !K7, why aren’t you distributing this with free condoms? You should know better!