Album Review: Eric Benet "Lost in Time" (Reprise) Benet loses sexy on 'Lost in Time'

In this CD cover image released by Reprise Records the latest by Eric Benet, 'Lost In Time,' is shown.
(AP Photo/Reprise Records)

Album Review:  Eric Benet "Lost in Time" (Reprise)
Benet loses sexy on 'Lost in Time'

By MELANIE SIMS
Associated Press

The latest effort from Eric Benet is titled "Lost in Time," and we can only imagine that the crooner is alluding to the disappearance of his "sexy."

The 44-year-old Benet got off to a great start with first single, "Sometimes I Cry," using his butterscotch vocals to narrate the shaky first steps of life after a break-up. Unfortunately, there's not much else like it on the disc, heavy with retro soul.

Benet puts his falsetto to work on the saccharin sweet "Always a Reason." But it, like the album's title track, has the previously silky R&B singer sounding like the leader of a Temptations cover band. Benet hustles alongside Chrisette Michele on the disco-ready, flute-inflected "Take It." And he's outdone by the O'Jay's Eddie Levert on the cool "Paid," which has the worldly sophistication and sound of the legendary funk-soul group's 1972 hit "Backstabbers." He also has a sweet song with his daughter India on "Summer Love."

Vocally, Benet still has undeniable chops, and musically, the production is spot-on on "Lost in Time." But the singer, who was cooing about "Chocolate Legs" just two years ago, has a style and voice that seems better suited — and more believable — set in the present.

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