London’s Lemar Obika already has an impressive CV. The 26-year-old’s debut album "Dedicated" went double platinum, his mantelpiece holds both a Brit and a Mobo award and then there’s his guest vocal appearance in this year’s acclaimed Hollywood Cole Porter biopic 'De-Lovely' alongside Robbie Williams and Elvis Costello.
Which all bodes well for his hotly anticipated second LP. And, with its nod to classic Seventies soul, the assured, catchy pop performance of "If There’s Any Justice" promised much and is surely one of the singles of the year.
Sadly though it’s misleading because there’s little here to tempt devoted fans of old school masters like Marvin Gaye and Al Green. For despite what the rousing, funk soul manifesto-setting declaration of opening track "Soulman", this is predominantly slick, smooth, R. Kelly R&B balladeer territory.
Lovin’ is the main item on Lemar’s agenda here. Unrequited love, late night lurve, love that might be on the cards, love for ladies who don’t even know he exists. For the most part these gently swaying seductive grooves blur into one another. Thankfully though, there’s enough here to suggest that this supremely gifted singer is more than just a one-trick pony.
Encouragingly there are lyrical attempts to break the R&B mould. "Call Me Daddy" views the miscarriage/abortion of a child from the father’s perspective – Lemar’s impassioned vocals over a disconcertingly upbeat bounce. Meanwhile, the swing of "Don’t Give It Up" tackles the subject of young girls pressured into sex too early.
Elsewhere, the warm and tender "Time To Grow" is classic Christmas Number One material, while "Feels Right" is a single in the making, its infectious, lullaby of a tune strangely reminiscent of Leo Sayer’s "When I Need Love".
A fine if somewhat predictable R&B album then from one of this country’s rising stars. You just wish Lemar would find his own voice. Indeed, the only time the singer brings something unique, witty and innovative to the table is with the album’s bonus track, a pared down, guitar and vocal only reworking of The Darkness song "I Believe In A Thing Called Love", mixed with phrases from Marvin Gaye’s "What’s Going On". A promising departure.
