If Chris Walker's name and face don't seem the least bit familiar to you, don't worry, you're not the only one. Although the singer-songwriter's 1991 debut album generated two Top 5 R&B singles, he's been mostly under the radar in the 20 years since then. But on his fourth studio album, Zone, he makes a bid to work his way back up the ladder of relevancy. As you might expect from a man whose music heyday came two decades ago, Zone, which was released in the U.S. on Aug. 30, 2011, sounds like it came out of a 1990s time capsule. But in this case, that's actually a compliment.
Smart, Sophisticated
If you were -- or still are -- a fan of such vocalists as Babyface, Tamia, Freddie Jackson and Regina Belle, then you'd likely enjoy Zone, which is filled with vocal techniques and production methods that were popular throughout the '90s. But rather than sound dated and out of touch, Zone proves that the smart, sophisticated sound still stands the test of time. Tracks like the cool, relaxing "Everyday Woman," the braggadocios first single, "I Got That Love" and the soaring "How Do You Heal a Broken Heart" (not to be confused with the Al Green/Bee Gees classic "How Do You Mend a Broken Heart") are among the highlights.
The centerpiece of Zone, however is Chris' lush, romantic remake of Luther Vandross' "If Only For One Night." Like all good remakes of iconic tunes, this version manages to tinker with the song's arrangement to give it a slightly different feel while still retaining most elements that made the original great. And as crazy as it may seem, the lesser-known singer's version is right up there with Luther's quality-wise. The vocals aren't quite as nuanced, but otherwise it's an even match-up.
Chris Walker never got his just due in the 1990s, and probably won't get it now since his brand of R&B has been out of vogue for generations. Despite that though, the fact remains: the man's a talented but underrated vocalist who, judging by the quality of this album, still has plenty of life left in his voice.
The centerpiece of Zone, however is Chris' lush, romantic remake of Luther Vandross' "If Only For One Night." Like all good remakes of iconic tunes, this version manages to tinker with the song's arrangement to give it a slightly different feel while still retaining most elements that made the original great. And as crazy as it may seem, the lesser-known singer's version is right up there with Luther's quality-wise. The vocals aren't quite as nuanced, but otherwise it's an even match-up.
Chris Walker never got his just due in the 1990s, and probably won't get it now since his brand of R&B has been out of vogue for generations. Despite that though, the fact remains: the man's a talented but underrated vocalist who, judging by the quality of this album, still has plenty of life left in his voice.
Disclosure: A review copy was provided by Pendulum Records. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.