The Bachelor

by

Ginuwine

Edit

Before Usher Raymond caught the tidal wave that Ginuwine managed to create with this album, Hip-Hop/Soul was much less dynamic than it was between 1996 and 1999. After the end of the New Jack Era in 1992, it simply wasn't cool to dance - at all. But that all changed when Brandy started chipping away at the hard crust surrounding mid-90s R&B with her "Baby" video, and then Soul For Real brought back an easier spirit to the mix with "Candy Rain" and "Every Little Thing I Do (You're On My Mind)." But not since Bobby Brown ruled R&B had a solo singer been as daring as Ginuwine in terms of making dancing a focal point. Because circa 1989, Bobby Brown was THE MAN when it came to performing. And in 1996, it was Ginuwine who would bring it back.

What makes this album special is that it was produced when the Timbaland sound was still fresh, and when it wasn't being imitated yet. The sparse and mysterious beats were a perfect counterpoint to Ginuwine's own slight voice, slight build, and fluid stage presence. Every song on "Ginuwine...The Bachelor" has its place, and I'll go as far to say that there isn't any filler on here. But the standout tracks are: "Pony" (of course), "Tell Me" (2nd single - great ballad in the vein of "So Anxious"), "Only When Ur Lonely" (5th single - dreamy and plush), "I'll Do Anything/I'm Sorry" (4th single - a percussive ballad in the vein of Aaliyah's "Heartbroken" - this is my favorite), and "When Doves Cry" (3rd single - all over MTV in 1997, great remake!).

The songs that I didn't mention are still great, particularly "Hello" and "Lonely Daze," which are both lazy-sounding ballads that sound great late at night just chillin'. "Holler" and "Ginuwine 4 Ur Mind" are decent uptempos that prove that Ginuwine can do both fast and slow jams -- something that male R&B acts had a hard time doing after the New Jack Era ended. Uptempo cuts weren't really happening in male R&B between 1992 and 1996 with the exception of Soul For Real (who brought them back) and before that, maybe "Here We Go" by Portrait. But after Ginuwine kicked down the door, Usher sailed right on in and definitely benefited from Ginuwine's "The Bachelor."

Now it can be argued that Usher attempted to pull a Ginuwine back in 1994 with his first album, and "Think of You" was indeed a fast song -- but it can't be denied that it was *Ginuwine* that originally seemed to be the 2nd coming of Bobby Brown before Usher came along with "You Make Me Wanna." It was on this album that Ginuwine sounds the most confident, the most unstoppable, and perhaps most importantly -- the most mysterious (sorta like Jodeci - especially Devante). I think what made this whole thing work was how unprecedented it was. Timbaland's beats were practically brand new then, and no one was copying yet. Ginuwine's vocal swagger (especially on "Pony") was a perfect match for these beats, and the timing of this album with Aaliyah's 'One In A Million' was like a one-two punch combination in 1996. Not to mention Missy Elliott's songwriting and vocals on cuts like the amazing "I'll Do Anything/I'm Sorry."

To all reading, I hope you can feel my sincere enthusiasm and appreciation for this album. I can really listen to this thing from start to finish and feel rewarded because to me, the music is really good. Timbaland, Missy and Ginuwine (along with Magoo and Playa) were finally getting a chance to get their music heard after being under-utilized protégées of Devante Swing of Jodeci. And you can hear the freshness of their creativity just bursting out of the speakers whenever you put on anything from this camp around this time. And that includes Missy Elliott's debut, the previously mentioned 'One In A Million,' Timbaland & Magoo's 'Welcome To Our World' and even Playa's debut which had some heartfelt composition and singing.

But 'Ginuwine...The Bachelor' represents a revolution in Hip-Hop/Soul. It represents a period in which things were starting to lighten up -- when the fellas were aloud to dance and *perform* again after the demise of New Jack Swing rendered dancing passé. It represents a period in which production styles evolved into a more innovative approach. If Teddy Riley is to be credited for New Jack Swing, Timbaland (who was a protégé of Riley) should be credited for the evolution of Hip-Hop/Soul into a more dance-friendly genre. Oh, and I almost forgot - Ginuwine actually co-wrote 9 of the 13 tracks from this album. Props are due for "Ginuwine...The Bachelor," because this album really changed the game for Hip-Hop/R&B, and formed the blueprint for classic songs like Dru Hill's "In My Bed (remix)" and albums like 'Justified' some six years later...

New Jack Swing 4Ever

This album isnt all that it is cracked up to be. For me there is only a couple of good songs on the album (pony and holler).

The rest of the songs are not anything amazing and frankly made me fall asleep. Im not saying its the worst album ive ever heard im just saying its one of the worst.

Ok pony is a great song and the beat to it is tight but what the hells going on with the rest of the album. was he drunk when he released it?

The ladies probably love him because of his looks and his nice body but men can see right through that. Men dont get impressed by him takin his shirt off. The men actually look at the lyrics of the song and how well the song is presented and from a mans point of view it really is dreadful.

If you want pony go and download it and dont bother buying the album. I made that mistake.