Customer Reviews

U Turn

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the Brian Mcknight that I love to listen to.

1.All Night Long - Upbeat song with Nelly

2.Back Seat (Getting Down)- Kind of mid-tempo..talks about in the back seat getting down if you know what he means.

3.Try Our Love Again - kind of sounds like the music from an old Janet Jackson and Dave Hollister song mixed. One of my favorites.

4.Where Do We Go From Here - mid-tempo..When him and his girl break up.

5.Been So Long - faster than usual Brian. Not a stand out track

6.Good Enough - GREAT SONG. It features Joe, Carl Thomas, Tyrese, and Tank on this song. MY FAVORITE.

7.Someday, Someway, Somehow- good slow Brian Mcknight music. Good song

8.For the Rest of My Life- slow. Good Song

9.If It Was Cool - too upbeat for a Brian Mcknight song

10. U Turn - Upbeat song with Fabolous

11.So Sorry - slow Good song

12.One of the Ones Who Did - this is a song that talks about the war. Being right with Jesus and it features Kirk Franklin. Great Song

Overall i loved this album. There are probably just 2 songs that didnt appeal to me. GO BUY IT.

This is Mr. McKnight's first CD since he had a divorce from his long time wife, and it shows on this album. The somber mood of a man that did wrong can be found on about half the songs on the album, including "Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda", "Try our Love Again", "Someday, Someway, Somehow", and the song that can only be meant for one person, simply titled "I'm Sorry". Though the enviroment of much of the CD is sad, they say your best work comes from the heart, and Brian doesn't let down. The Soul of the album doesn't leave the lovers hanging though. "Back Seat" is an ode to Marvin Gaye as his soulful howls in the backround are reminiscent of "Lets get it on", and Brian brings himself and 4 of the biggest names in R&B (Joe, Carl Thomas, Tyrese, and Tank) to make the women beg for it in "Good Enough". B McNeasy doesn't forget to make you dance with club hoppers like "All Night Long" w/ Nelly and the title track w/ Fabolous. All and all, you can tell the man is hurting, but everything that is in him, makes great music.

Chances are if you've heard of Brian McKnight, you've heard the beautiful song "Back At One" from his mulitiplatinum status album of the same name. However, he's two albums that followed ulitmately lacked his usual soulfullness, which makes him stand out as one of the kings of R&B. He clearly decided to switch directions as implied in the title "U Turn."

The album kicks off with a nice song "All Night Long" featuring Nelly, which is not really crucial to the rest of the album. He follows up with a true R.Kelly type song with "Back Seat," which I find suprisingly enjoyable and mood setting. The album then reaches its strongest points with "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda," a song similar to "6,8,12" in subject matter, but far supperior in voice and lyrics. Songs like "Try Our Love Again" are very decent songs that fill to the next climax of the album with another comma infested title "Someday,someway,somehow." "If it was cool is another solid sound, and the album fails to lage at all truthfully.

Therefore, if you enjoy the soft and smooth voice of Brian McKnight whatsoever, I recommend buying this album as soon as possible.

Stand Out Tracks:
Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda
Someday, Someway, Somehow
Back Seat
Where Do We Go from Here
Try Our Love Again

I had really lost my feeling for Brian after the dismal - I don't care what anyone else says - Superhero. I didn't think that he would recover from that one,... but he proved me wrong and I'm so happy to admit it. This CD is great back-to-back; you know how hard it is to just let a CD play all the way through without skipping a song or two... you won't do this here. Yes, this album is after his divorce, but in an interview he said that only the song I'm Sorry is directly to his ex-wife - someone as artistic as Brian probably takes his musical cues from several events in his life.
1. All Night Long w/Nelly - Makes you want to get on the floor and move.
2. Back Seat (Gettin' Down) - A smooth groove... not quite a slow song, but definitely a mellow song to reminisce about someone you may want to get down with.
3. Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda - The first big hit (the video makes not sense to the song - the girl is supposed to be leaving him in the song... not and emotional pull like getting killed)
4. Try Our Love Again - Starts off just like STAY from Back at One (a little clunky, but decent)
5. Where Do We Go From Here - MY FAVORITE: This song starts off like a big band sound and has soooo much feeling. Very moving.
6. Been So Long - I have to say this: He bit off Musiq with this one. Sounds ALOT like Sunshine. (The talky way Musiq sings a story-type song)
7. Good Enough (Joe, Carl Thomas, Tyrese, Tank) - This is very sexy... Like Carl Thomas' Emotional. (Tank is pretty weak, though.)
8. Someday, Someway, Shomehow - BEAUTIFUL!!! I love this song. A PERFECT ballad if there ever was one. You sit and think about the lost loves in your life - very unproductive and sad, but you just can't help it.
9. For The Rest of My Life - Weakest song (Like Every Beat of My Heart from I Remember You album... but not as good)
10. If It was Cool - Another bite... off Prince this time. It's jazzy and cool (when we all liked and understood Prince's music). This song is about infidelity with a married woman... that he thinks about, but he "don't get down that way".
11. U Turn (Fabolous & Six John - who is this guy?) Very hip-hop, reminds me of Drumline at the Bayou Classic.
12. So Sorry - Another beautiful ballad - tugs at the heart like After The Love from the Brian McKnight (1st) album.
13. One of The One's Who Did - I always look forward to the gospel songs on this CD's, I wish that he would just compile them into one so I can listen to them over and over. This is just a good as The Day The Earth Stood Still (Anytime album).
12.

Brian McKnight has been putting it down since 1992 with classics such as "The Way Love Goes", "One Last Cry", "Never Felt This Way", "Love Is" w/Vanessa Williams,"Crazy Love","Anytime", "Back At One","Stay", etc. However, with the success of his 4th CD "Back At One" still fresh in his head, it sounded as if Brian McKnight decided that he was going to take the commercial route with his 5th release, "Superhero". While I enjoyed songs such as the 1st single, "Love Of My Life", "Get Over You", "The Biggest Part Of Me", and "When Will I See You Again", it seems as if "Superhero" was made to mimic the commercial success of "Back At One". "Back At One" was a r&b CD that crossed over commercially because of the hit title track where as "Superhero" sounded like a commercial record that lacked the soul r&b sound of the previous Brian McKnight CDs. However, with his new release "U Turn", Brian has done just that and gone back to his r&b roots. Brian McKnight is at his best, in my opinion, when he is singing one of his legendary slow jams and on "U Turn" he has crafted several masterpieces. With his 1st single, "Shoulda Woulda Coulda", Brian regrets the way that he treated a particular woman and he goes back in time to see what he could have done to treat her better. On "Where Do We Go From Here", the beat for the slow jam will remind you of Mary J. Blige's "The Love I Never Had" from her "Mary" CD. However, when you hear the passionate sounds coming from Mr. McKnight the last thing you will remember when you hear the words will be the beat. "Try Our Love Again", "Someday, Someway, Somehow" and "So Sorry" follow the same pattern as the previous two songs that I have mentioned. Not to speculate but it seems as if Brian received the fuel from these songs because of his recent divorce. These 5 slow jams will have you thinking of his best two songs ever created, in my opinion, which are "Anytime" and "One Last Cry". Kirk Franklin stops by to join Brian on "One Of The One's Who Did". This song will remind you of R Kelly's "A Soldier's Heart" as Kirk and Brian pay tribute to all the service men and women that are over in Iraq fighting in the war and their family and friends. This is a very powerful track. The best song on "U Turn" is clearly "Good Enough" which also features an all star cast of Joe, Carl Thomas, Tyrese, and Tank. Usually the only time you can get a cast like this together is if someone is doing a tribute song to support a worthy cause. On "Good Enough" the 5 singers collaborate to sing a song about a man and a woman deciding when the right time is to take the next step in the relationship by making love. Once you hear this track you will definitely realize that Brian McKnight is back for good. He also brings the uptempo tracks as he always does: Nelly stops through to feature on "All Night Long", Fabolous and Six John stop by on the title track and "Been So Long" also will have you on the dance floor. "If It Was Cool" will put you in the mode of the classic jazz r&b style that Brian McKnight displayed on his 1st CD with "Is The Feeling Gone" and "Back Seat (Getting Down)" will remind you of previous slow jams "Your Love Is Oooh" and Superhero's "When You Wanna Come". "U Turn" is possibly Brian McKnight's best CD since his debut release. This is a very well rounded CD and I am glad that Brian decided to go back to his roots of r&b and not take the easy way out. Any fan of his previous CDs can not afford to miss out on "U Turn".

James' Top 5

1) Good Enough w/Joe, Carl Thomas, Tyrese & Tank
2) Where Do We Go From Here
3) Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda
4) Someday, Someway, Somehow
5) Back Seat (Getting Down)

Recently, I re-discovered my affection for the talent that is Brian McKnight. Sure, he's had a few missteps - an influx of guest rappers and trying to be more hip-hop than R&B, but the man has undeniable talent and for that reason - I decided to venture out and see what his newest album entitled "U Turn" had to offer.

"U Turn" kicks off with a thumping track that features an appearance by Nelly. The song itself is okay but having Nelly on it is simply unnecessary and detracts from the overall product. I've never appreciated McKnight's more up-tempo fare and "All Night Long" is no exception to the rule. It does right itself with "Back Seat (Getting' Down)" a smooth track that has some very seductive vocal layering and the music doesn't overpower McKnight's voice.

Another stunner is "Try Our Love Again", which does everything right. It's sexy, it's sweet and it's what you would expect from someone on McKnight's level. Often when listening to R&B - you find someone who has a real viable talent, someone who should be singing ballads and mid-tempo songs and because they're interested in making a "club song" - their talents go wasted.

With "U Turn" - for the most part, McKnight has kept it slowed down and it works very well. One of the things that McKnight really has working for him is that his vocal range is amazing. From low and husky to almost falsetto, his voice changes on a whim and it's nice to hear. "Been So Long" is an excellent example of what the singer is capable of. It's not even that the production on the track is spectacular, but more that you get to hear all the parts of his voice.

Production-wise, "U Turn" isn't so amazing. While all of the songs could be called solid - there are very few of them just leave you breathless and wanting more. However, "Good Enough" is not one of those tracks. Featuring R&B cohorts Carl Thomas, Tank, Joe and Tyrese - I am now convinced that the 5 of them should start a super group and conquer the R&B world. Without an iota of doubt, "Good Enough" is the best track on "U Turn" and it does leave you breathless. The vocals, the production - the writing, it's all amazingly well done.

Old fans of McKnight will rejoice when they hear "For The Rest Of My Life" because it does remind you of his older material. It's not spectacular - but it is a nice track. A little more inspirational is "If It Was Cool" - a mid-tempo track that reminds me of Prince sound and vocals wise. It's funky enough to make you bop your head, but doesn't sound so funked-up that it doesn't "fit" McKnight's style like unfortunately, "U Turn" does. It's so overproduced it's not even funny and appearances by Fabolous and Six John just add to it's ridiculousness.

- Final Thoughts -

In the age of bad R&B music, McKnight is still a surprising breath of fresh air. He has over time, continued to make albums that while not mind-blowing or solid and easy to listen to. He definitely has a beautiful voice and if he could just find the one thing - be it producer, style or what have you, I really feel that more people would gravitate towards his talents.

to start off it give brian major props for putting together such an amazing album, again. I will state highly to buy this album. I think it amazing that brian always finds a way to recognize god in his albums, notjuston thesmall print inside; that really means alot. This album hs some amazing tracks on it. brian really got n amazing supporting cast for this album. Starting with the first track, all night long is and attention getting song feat nelly, a very good song. the second song, back seat (gettin down) is a very good song with a catchy essence, it really grabs ur attention from the beginning. shoulda woulda coulda is amazing! the next 3 songs are where i think the weak part of the album is, even though they are stil oodsns ifeel that these are less pwerful and dot get you attention as much, but maybe this goesalng with the timeline of his relationship, starting off good, breakin it off with his wife, but then being sympathetic and going on. Good Enough is an awesme song feat, check this out, Joe, tyrese, carl thomas, an tank. Can it get any better, all put together this song is amazing. someday someway somehow is a very good slow song. for the rest of my life is an amazing dispay of brians talent, in this acapella like piece, he sings so smoothly and makesthe lyrics just soundn so good, it makes u just sympatize and makes u think of that special someone. The next song, if it was cool, is an ok song, which repeats aot, but i thnk as a decent beat, but the treat in this song which i think is so cool, if ulisten to this song all the way through at the very end he sings in an old 40's up beat. jazzy, swing music type pattern, and this might be,maybe a preciew of things to come, because at the end six john comes in and says hey B save that for the next album. the next song, the album titled U-turn is an upbeat song which features fabulous and sxjohn, avery good song for being a more upbeat mcknght song, he can do anything HES AMAZING. So sorry is my favorite slow song on the album, its amazing, the final song on the album is "one ofthe one's who did" which talks of the war and asks god for help, its a great way to close the album asking god for help in our lives. This album is amazing, check ou any other review, its hands down, this album is amazing, brian mcknightis unreal, unbelieveable, and his possibilities are unending. Get this album now. its worth every penny

Brian McKnight - U Turn

Being A fan since Brian's release of Anytime,
I always knew i was getting a quality album with U-Turn.
Unfortunately, in Australia, people aren't ready for such music,
which is disapointing for Brian.
Nethertheless this release was extremely solid.

Though in my opinion, he is trying to get the appeal of the younger generation, with songs like:
All Night Long (ft Nelly), U-Turn(ft Faboulous); it's okay, as long as there's just 1 or 2 of them. The funny thing was when i put U-Turn into CD player and pushed play, i was shocked with such an intro song as All Night long, but the shock turned into relief when i heard the rest of the album.

Brian's main strength undoubtfully, is his balladry; still unmatched by any of today's singers (Maybe Mariah...)
This album is no exception to ballads AND i think it is a major improvement to the ballads he had on his last release, Superhero.
Songs like: Shoulda Woulda Coulda, Where Do We Go From Here and So Sorry are Brian McKnight-esque; what you'd expect on any of his albums.

Contemporaries like: If It Was Cool, Been So Long & Back Seat(Gettin' Down) flow pretty well especially Back Seat; has a slow rhythm.

Good Enough which features Tank, Tyrese, Joe & Carl Thomas has the same kind of sad vibe Comparable to "When Will I See You Again" off his Superhero Album.

Finally Brian completes his album on a tribute to the soldiers with the help of Kirk Franlkin; the chorus is quite good.

Overall this album tops his last and is probably not as good as his "Back At One" release.

Brian McKnight is a great singer and songwriter. I actually think this is a decent album, but not the best. There isn't anything really new or innovative, and I think that some of the songs are hits while other are "non-hits". I personally love his voice and even if some of the songs he is singing aren't up to par he still "tears it up" and that never changes about Brian Knight and it shows you how great a singer he truly is. My favorites are "Back Seat (Gettin' Down)" and "Where Do We Go From Here". Brian McKnight also gets my nod because he not only sings, but he plays piano and writes his own material and that is very admirable. 3 1/2 stars for Brian McKnight - "U Turn".

Brian McKnight's biggest noise came in 1999 with his Double Platinum effort. Since then, his records have garnered minimal attention- his greatest hits CD flopped and his SUPERHUMAN went only Gold (for sales of 500,000). There was only 1 moderate hit from that effort. Two years later, Brian returns with UTURN which really does represent the direction he is going. SUPERHUMAN was a Uturn of sorts and it was ok but this CD is much better than that one. The arrangements, productions and vocals are great on this effort.

ALL NIGHT LONG- Current single that couples McKnight with rap sensation Nelly is pleasing. It takes time to grow on you but once it does, it allows for one to appreciate it more. It is nice to see Brian trying a little hip/hop to successful and unembarrasing avails. A-

BACK SEAT (GETTIN' DOWN)- Music for me all comes together with great arrangements/instrumentation, vocals and just a nice overall package. This song is really what music is all about on the technical side. It begins with some fierce drum beats and low humming by Brian. Then it changes keys with the piano joinging in and Brian just humming away. This song is close to a masterpiece. It kind of reminds me of Aaliyah's current hit, COME OVER featuring Tank. A+

SHOULDA, WOULDA, COULDA- 1st single from the disc which really did not make too much noise is ok. It is conventional Brian (him playing on the safe side). The song really does not go too far but for the most part is satisfactory. B+

TRY OUR LOVE AGAIN- This matches BACK SEAT in its unique but awesome arrangements and settings. This is also what true music is about and Brian comfortably executes the vocals here as always. A

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE- The message of most of Brian's songs are about rekindling a love that is dying out or asking for forgiveness. This is no different. However, just like the former song and BACK SEAT, this song is not just the typical R&B of today but is very unique and original. Nice play from the piano. A

BEEN SO LONG- This is kinda reminiscent of something that Musiq Soulchild would do- that neo, Philly soul vibe. It is nice that Brian is trying something like this out and it does work pretty well. It could make some noise on Urban R&B radio. A-

GOOD ENOUGH- This song joins Brian with many other guests. Accordingly, one could expect this to be an event song with all these singers under one song. The song does not take off as far as one might expect like BEST MAN (from the film of the same name 4 years ago) but it is satsifactory. It does what it needs to in providing some complimentary vocals and cool lyrics. A

SOMEDAY, SOMEWAY, SOMEHOW- Reminds me of Brian of BACK AT ONE and before. This song is very heartfelt and can knock at the strings. The arrangement where the piano does the double knocks is brilliant and the song slowly but surely builds up to a nice, pleading climax. This is up there with the masterpiece model. A

FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE- Song is laidback, peaceful, gentle. There is not any overbearing drum beats or too flossy vocals. Everything just works together well and it is a song that just talks about being with a person for the rest of one's life. A nice message and a good song. A

IF IT WAS COOL- This urban-like, kind of Hip-Hop song could work as a single. It has that retro like vibe to it and definitely works pretty well; not as good as some of the others but it does work. There is this very jazzy, uptempo and cool part at the end with the piano playing where Brian sings like one of those jazz singers from the 1950s. This is very nice especially if one likes "true" music. This is surprising but great. Bt for the song and A- for the added part.

U TURN- Title track with guest rap has a great, unique beat and some good vocals. This too could be released as a single and works well. It does not have Brian out of place vocally and is awesome for the most part. A

SO SORRY- This plaintive, pleading joint is very laidback and calm like FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. Brian's tenor works very well here and this song is just so heartfelt and emotion inducing. A

ONE OF THE ONES WHO DID- Brian is certainly not afraid to display his religious roots and Christianity. He has been including Gospel joints on his last 2 studio efforts and collaborated with Bebe Winans. This song which just is talking about being one of the ones who holds to God and His Unchanging HANDS. Kirk Franklin guests on this song and it is so appropriate in life not only because of our current turbulent global situation but for individual lives who so need God. A++

This song is Brian's best in my opinion. It is a uturn in that it deals with different kinds of R&B music. It has so many different elements and with this, Brian projects himself to the forefront as one of the best modern singers. He kind of reminds me of Marvin Gaye of modern times. Check this one out.