Customer Reviews

Back II Da Basics

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

We've been waiting a little bit for Ginuwine to make his way back into the R&B market and give these newcomers a run for their money. After exploding on the scene back in 1996 with the "gotta-grow-on-you" production of Timbaland on The Bachelor, Ginuwine made us believe in him and his career when he dropped 100% Ginuwine in 1999. Dropping gems like "So Anxious," "None Of Your Friends' Business," and "What's So Different" solidified his longevity in this music business. But Ginuwine struggles to make his name recognizable and one of the biggest in the R&B world has always been more than a notion. With constant competition from fellow R&B balladeers like R Kelly and Usher, he had to keep the hits coming and remain exceptional at the same time. He put out The Life in 2001, still making the ladies feel him with "Differences" and "There It Is." He kept it going with 2003's The Senior with super hits like "Stingy" and "In Those Jeans." Now it's 2005, and it seems as if Ginuwine has finally hit a brick wall with Back II Da Basics.

Even though The Life and The Senior had decent sales and a few big hits, the albums themselves were less than stellar. So listening to Back II Da Basics was already something that was heavily pondered to begin with. But once it started playing, it became clear that there was very little discretion put into screening some of the decisions that were made on a few of these songs. "Betta Half" would undeniably be a stand out track if it weren't for Ginuwine hooting like an owl at the beginning of the song! "Oh Girl" has a lot of energy, but still comes off just as unconvincing as The Senior's "Hell Yeah." "Secrets" is one song he should have kept to himself with the obvious attempt to capitalize on the popularity of "off-key" singing from artists like Pharrell. And even though Jazze Pha has a song called "Happy Hour" with Cee-Lo that is meant to be drop dead funny, his rowdiness doesn't bring much to "Secrets" at all. "The Club" is another song that is pointlessly included on the album, steering him far away from the crooning that his fans are more familiar with. "Glaze In My Eye" is tolerable, but it becomes unusually funny when you keep hearing him repeat the title throughout the whole song.

There are a few good album tracks like "I'm In Love," "She's Like," "Take A Chance," and "When We Make Love" that prove that his ballads are what he should keep his focus on. Listeners are used to hearing these slow jams from Ginuwine and are probably just as frustrated with his latest release as the rest of us that have heard it. He certainly didn't go Back II Da Basics on this album, something that he should have done with the help of the obviously-absent Timbaland. Without him and some creative writing from some great R&B composers, we might not get the real Ginuwine back for awhile.

I Love this CD. I find myself listening to it more and more. I bought it because of "when we make love" and I really enjoy the rest of this CD. I have always been a Ginuwine fan but I have have to say that I am impressed. He has grown as an artist and his voice is amazing. I can't wait to see him sing live.

I love Ginuwine's cd "Back II Da Basics". His voice, the lyrics, just everything. He's really matured with this album. I went to his Ladies Night Out Tour and he sounds amazing. This album is hot!!!!!

I love this CD!!!!... I saw him in Concert Last week...Damn he's extra fine in Person... .. Fav Songs on this CD!
1. Oh Girl
2. Secrets
3. when we make love
4. I'm in Love
5. Back to Basic


I hope things work out for him....

this cd is hot! especially on the 2nd half of it.

With his first two CD'S, The Bachelor & 100 % Ginuwine, Ginuwine set himself as an artist as one to be recockned with. Unlike other R&B lover men singers of the mid nineties, Ginuwine stood out due to the production of Timberland. On his two follow up CD'S, The Life & The Senior, Ginuwine moved tried more contemporary R&B and for the most part he succeed with classic tracks like Differences, Role Play and Tribute To A Woman from the former and In Those Jeans and Love You More from the former. On his new CD Back II Basics, early reports had Ginuwne reuniting with Timberland, but sadly he doesn't and the result is basic R&B with only the slow songs being the real standouts.

1. Intro feat. Knight - This is an intro track with someone weak rapper named Knight. **

2. Oh Girl - A nice up-tempo track that works well and starts the CD out pretty well. ***

3. Secrets - Ginuwine hooks up with Jazza Pha for a nice mid tempo track that works well and has a nice beat. *** 1/2

4. When We Make Love - The lead single that had to grow on me, I don't know why this fool decided to moan through out the track but I know I actually I like it. ****

5. Want U To Be - Ginuwine samples the classic MiJac track I Can't Help It and does a nice job, by not over singing and making a smooth track. ***

6. The Club feat.Jadakiss - A weak attempt at a club track, but Jada has a nice verse. **

7. Interlude feat. Knight - Another weak song with the weak ass Knight. *

8. She's Like - This is another weak song, the third on the CD. By this time I was ready to give up on the CD. * 1/2

9. Betta Half - G finally picks it back up with this mid tempo track; one can tell that's obliviously about his wife and former rapper Sole. ***

10. Glaze In my Eye - Another mid tempo tracks that basically talks about the beauty of a woman. ***

11. I'm In Love - This is one of the strongest songs on the CD. G uses his falsetto voice to the best of his range without overdoing it. This is the strongest he's sounded since Differences. ****

12. Far Away - The standard girl you left me song, but I like it the production is nice and says some real stuff. ***

13. Take A Chance - Another strong song on the CD, G basically talks about giving a real MAN a chance and forgetting about those in the past that did you wrong. ****

14. Back II Basics - The CD starts to lose steam by this point, G even tries to rap in this song and I say boo to your rap skills Ginuwine. *

15. Thank You's - The last song on the CD is basically Ginuwine singing a medley to everyone who's had an effect on his life. **

Ginuwine can be a force to be recockned with in R&B. His falsetto voice is in the vein of Ralph Tresvant and he can hit the notes, but the production is killing him. One has to wonder why didn't he hook up with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Babyface or even R. Kelly? Here's hoping on his next CD he really brings it, because after waiting almost three years for a new Ginuwine CD we need more than basic R&B.

When I first heared, the first single for "Back To Da Basics. It was courtesy of the first video,which was "When We Make Love". And I absolutely love it. The reason being is because finally lyrically content took president with melodies that provided a connection to your soul.Which I think enables you to express love in the deepest form possible.
And yes,Ginuwine is known for his dance moves,but I think there is a time. When you as an artist want to show that you can do more then, What's expected of you. And I think this album show cases that ability. With other beauitful ballads such as"Take A Chance" Which literly touches every part of my being. And the song "Betta Half" lyrically says to me What can I do as the person Who loves you unconditionally do or say to make the situation better. "Far Away" this song right here is what I like to call When couples don't comummicated, I say that because that was the over all messages I got from the song. "I'm In Love" this was the song that did it for me, not only were the lyrics and the melody there,but Ginuwine did something not alot of artist do, and that is put out a scond single that is a ballad. Most artist if they do come out with a ballad as a first single.
They are very quick to follow up with an up tempo track. And I Thank Mr.Lumpkin not only for that but, for taking a creative chance as a whole on this album. "Glaze In MY Eye" there is so much to be said about this song,but in short I'm glad that there is at least one Genetlemen on this planet and hopefully others will follow. To say I do hurt, and thanks for taking the time to listen and allowing me to be open, honest and vulnerable with you. This song called "Want U To Be" Makes me laugh to myself every time I hear it,because from my understanding of the song and I could be totally wrong in saying this so please for give me. But,is MR. Lumpkin suggesting that, this young lady he having a conversaion with may be sexully frustrated so there for that may be the reason Why this young lady won't care on a conversation with Gentelemen?
And don't get me wrong I do like the up tempo tacks as well, like the title track "Back 2 Da Basics", my favorite up tempo track period. and others like "Oh Girl" "She Like" "Secrets". This album is for you if you are a person who enjoys ballads with lyrical content and moldy that not only stays with you today but, for years to come.

I luv ginuwine and i will continue to luv him. this cd is bomb though, i don't know why ppl don't like it. When we make love is THA song, i luv it so much, that's why i got da cd. Tracks 8,9,10,11,13 really stand out. u will die when u hear track 8 (she's like) and track 9 (betta half) and track 13 (take a chance) good cd, get it.

Ginuwine cd is one of the best r&b albums around if you aint got it got get

I listenend to this album last night. It was hot! This album is fueled by the expansive artistry and vitality that his fans have come to expect while the man's new music raises the bar on his already high standards. This album is also the sound of G reconnecting, reaffirming and reigniting the passion that makes his music so real,memorable,and well,genuine. The album is chockful of songs that make you wanna hit the club and the sheets. I hope this album will be promoted like his others. Go Cop This album NOW!