Bobby Valentino

I was in Atlanta around the time they was promoting this album and I must say I wanted it. I had it and then I lost it. So of course I copped it again and I must say this dude can SANG. If you no on some Bobby V right now, you really sleeping on a real talented artist. He is definitely true R&B and I make I cop all his albums! Oh, then he make them love ballads to play for the ladies!

I wasn't really a fan of Bobby V's music being that I'd only heard a few songs that they played to death on the radio. But when I actually sat down and listened I was pleasantly surprised to find I love his sound. Very few singers can successfully sing an entire song in falsetto without making your ears ring but in his case "Love Dream" is my favorite song. I love his music and am very glad I took the time to listen.

And I say it's about time! His journey to the top of the charts is well-deserving. He's been in and out of the business for at least a decade. It's about time he finally breaks out successfully. I guess everyone has their time to shine (however brief or long). Some artists hit hard right out the gate and you never hear from them again. Some hit and miss their entire career. Some are late-bloomers, but are still able to sustain a long-lasting career. Bobby fits the last category (for now). We'll see how long his career lasts. Let's get to the review...

The hits ("Slow Down", "Tell Me") were proper choices for lead singles. Both were irresistibly catchy, had sing-a-long choruses, and were radio-friendly. "Slow Down" reached #1 and "Tell Me" is my FAVORITE track on the set. In lament terms, this album is good just for the singles. Of course, the singles aren't the only highlights. I strongly recommend "Give Me A Chance" as a constant rotator. Tim & Bob, the main contributors to the set, lace an Oriental-style composition that sets up nicely for Bobby's smooth vocals. Topped with Luda's dynamic guest spot, the track is simply stunning. "Come Touch Me" is another one worth playing over. It's bouncy, uptempo groove catches the listener fast, while Bobby croons spiritly. It's a risky formula that works to perfection. "Love Dream" incorporates shiny, fluent production with an enticing falsetto delivered by Mista Valentino. It wins for balancing creativity and conviction. Repeat spins. I'm not a huge fan of first single remixes, but the remix tacked on for lead single "Slow Down" is BETTER than the original. It's ballad-esque melody is the perfect offset to the compelling, lively first single. Put this one on repeat as well.

All in all, Bobby "Valentino" Wilson makes his debut in grand fashion, garnering two quality hits and gold album sales. The only gripe I have is the ballad overkill. While I am a huge fan of ballads, there's an abundance of them here that weigh the album down. It gets too sappy after a while of repeated play. Nevertheless, Bobby hits much more than he misses on his debut and that deserves some appreciation. Get the album to show it.

Grade: B

Very good- perfect for a fun night togethe. I bought this album when it first came out, though I never wrote a review for it- so here it is. I like just about every track. However, my absolute favorites are:

One Girl to Love
Lights Down Low
My Angel
Want You to Know Me
Slow Down
Tell Me

I love this cd and I'm still listening to it to this day. This cd is very relaxing and its strictly talking to the ladies. It's mostly slow tempo songs for the exception of the first four track and "Come Touch Me". This is a great comeback from someone that was in a group Mista and really put himself back on the map. I'm looking forward to his next album Special Occasion coming out in May.

This is the kind of rap song that nonrap fans have to admit that they like.

On it's own, Li'l Wayne's hoarse, drawly (and occasionally unintelligible) rap, as well as the silly lyrics would make this tune undistinguished. On the other hand, it has some things going for it.

1) Good production. The beats and background music (especially the guitar) are quite appealing and the hooks are catchy and sticks with you.

2) Bobby Valentino's singing. Even with the crazy "wee-ooh-wee" simulation of the police siren, his voice makes this song a bit more pleasant to the ears.

3) The story in the song (Weezy making love to a lady cop who is supposed to arrest him) is pretty imaginative, even if the lyrics don't add up to the concept.

This is one of those rap songs where clever production overrides a number of flaws. With the wrong music and without Bobby Valentino (and Kidd Kidd's guest shot), there wouldn't be much to this. But enjoy it for what it is.

Overall this is a great baby-making CD....sounds a lot like Jodeci's "the show, the after party, the hotel", with a little Mario, Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, Babyface mix. Its a typical young R & B album.

I had liked Bobby Valentino when he was in the group "Mista", and loved the releases: "Blackberry Molasses" & "Lady". I now, still like him as a solo artist. The album is the nicest R&B male released album at this time. Throwing off Chris Brown & even Ne-Yo, lyrically, & with beats, melodies & chorus'/hooks. Bobby, trying to be the next Babbyface, did not just straight bite the style of Babyface, he also added a lot of his own style in this album, and then at track 14, gave us his version of "Soon As I Get Home", which I feel is the nicest song on the album.

Bobby Valentino appears to be one of the only members of DTP who DIDN'T have some kind of a feud with Ludacris. And while his self-titled album was well-received, I'm not sure it sold all that well. His follow-up, Special Occasion, isn't quite as memorable, but it's still good.

This is one of those albums that's pretty split: the first half of the album has mainly uptempo tracks, while the second half has mainly ballads. But the fast tracks are the issue: while they'll easily bump in the club, Bobby's voice isn't quite as good on them. "Checkin' for Me" and the obligatory Ludacris collabo "Rearview (Ridin')" aren't bad, but they aren't necessarily anything to run and tell a friend about either. "Over & Over" is skippable, and the Timbaland-produced "Anonymous" is lame.

Thankfully, Bobby scores better with slow songs. "I Was Wrong" instantly stands out, and his cover of Babyface's "Soon As I Get Home" is excellent. And while I normally think that using a segment of a later song as the intro is unnecessary, it actually works out well in the case of "Home Is Where You Belong", especially because the song might seem a little corny otherwise (although the outro to that song starts to get a little metaphorically challenged).

But one song that is hard to relate to is "If I Had My Way", which talks about Bobby and another girl leaving their current relationships to be with each other. This album from Bobby V. isn't classic material, but it's still solid R&B, so you really should have no trouble celebrating this special occasion.

Anthony Rupert

To accurately describe "Special Occasion" is an single word, the word bland is most befitting. Bobby Valentino fans (such as myself) waited a long time for this album, and personally, I was disappointed with the finished project. His debut is one of the best albums I have heard in years, but "Special Occasion" is simply sophomore slump. Bobby's voice is far more whiny that what I heard on the debut, the lyrics are just alright, and the production? Well, the beats sound like they were throwaways from the debut.

The only songs that stand out are "Anonymous" and "Soon as I Get Home", and I'm not certain the latter qualifies because he simply remade the song (the original version was performed by the phenomenal Babyface). "I Was Wrong", "Rearview" and "Let Him Go" are all weak tracks overall, but what really brings the songs down is the production. Fabolous administers a better rap than Ludacris, and I find that ironic because Bobby and Luda are supposed to be on the same record label, so Luda should have given his best. There is something else I find ironic, though. The interludes on this album are better than the actual full length songs. Bobby turns to his woman for strength on the decent "Only Human." He proved in this song that, not only do women turn to men for strength, but men also turn to their ladies for strength as well. The beat, lyrics and hook are all worth mentioning. "Can't Wait Til' Later" should have been on the first album because it's very similar to a few of the songs found on that album. It's one of the better songs here, though.

Don't break your neck trying to get this album. 2007 was not a great year music-wise, and this album explains my point. Bobby Valentino is a talented artist with a lot of potential, but he just disappointed me with this CD. I hope he can make it up to me with his future endeavors. Until then, when I need a dose of him, I'll listen to his fantastic debut.

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "Soon As I Get Home"
2. "Can't Wait Til' Later
3. "Anonymous"
4. "Intro"
5. "If I Had My Way"

Young prodigy Bobby V. hit the scene two years ago with his worthwhile debut. "Slow Down" was a easy radio-friendly hit, but overall the album held it's own ground with some of my personal favorites. "I Forgive You", "Never Lonely" and "One Girl to Love" stand amongst all-time favorite singles, the latter of the three songs has been used excessively on slow-jam compilations.

Now in circulation is the highly anticipated "Special Occasion". I made a copy for a friend of mine; since she praised good things about the album, I took me a while to finally check it out (I have an overwhelming abundance of music to start with; sometimes it takes a while for me to finally listen to a particular album). Afraid of Bobby's fall into the sophomore slump, he shines brightly and doesn't fail musically, showing promise in a possible third successful attempt in the future.

"Turn the Page" was another radio-hit, but I tend to favor more of the overlooked songs that could have easily gotten as much airplay as the singles. Favorites are "Only Human", an easy, honest, laid-back track courtesy of Tim & Bob, also responsible for the bulk of his debut effort. "Soon as I Get Home" is a tribute to Babyface's original song. Although it doesn't shine over the original, Bobby V. pays homage to the great Face in impeccable style.

Overall, Bobby is obviously a talented crooner and keeps that R+B vibe driving the right direction.

His 3rd album should be just as compelling.

I was in Atlanta around the time they was promoting this album and I must say I wanted it. I had it and then I lost it. So of course I copped it again and I must say this dude can SANG. If you no on some Bobby V right now, you really sleeping on a real talented artist. He is definitely true R&B and I make I cop all his albums! Oh, then he make them love ballads to play for the ladies!

I wasn't really a fan of Bobby V's music being that I'd only heard a few songs that they played to death on the radio. But when I actually sat down and listened I was pleasantly surprised to find I love his sound. Very few singers can successfully sing an entire song in falsetto without making your ears ring but in his case "Love Dream" is my favorite song. I love his music and am very glad I took the time to listen.

And I say it's about time! His journey to the top of the charts is well-deserving. He's been in and out of the business for at least a decade. It's about time he finally breaks out successfully. I guess everyone has their time to shine (however brief or long). Some artists hit hard right out the gate and you never hear from them again. Some hit and miss their entire career. Some are late-bloomers, but are still able to sustain a long-lasting career. Bobby fits the last category (for now). We'll see how long his career lasts. Let's get to the review...

The hits ("Slow Down", "Tell Me") were proper choices for lead singles. Both were irresistibly catchy, had sing-a-long choruses, and were radio-friendly. "Slow Down" reached #1 and "Tell Me" is my FAVORITE track on the set. In lament terms, this album is good just for the singles. Of course, the singles aren't the only highlights. I strongly recommend "Give Me A Chance" as a constant rotator. Tim & Bob, the main contributors to the set, lace an Oriental-style composition that sets up nicely for Bobby's smooth vocals. Topped with Luda's dynamic guest spot, the track is simply stunning. "Come Touch Me" is another one worth playing over. It's bouncy, uptempo groove catches the listener fast, while Bobby croons spiritly. It's a risky formula that works to perfection. "Love Dream" incorporates shiny, fluent production with an enticing falsetto delivered by Mista Valentino. It wins for balancing creativity and conviction. Repeat spins. I'm not a huge fan of first single remixes, but the remix tacked on for lead single "Slow Down" is BETTER than the original. It's ballad-esque melody is the perfect offset to the compelling, lively first single. Put this one on repeat as well.

All in all, Bobby "Valentino" Wilson makes his debut in grand fashion, garnering two quality hits and gold album sales. The only gripe I have is the ballad overkill. While I am a huge fan of ballads, there's an abundance of them here that weigh the album down. It gets too sappy after a while of repeated play. Nevertheless, Bobby hits much more than he misses on his debut and that deserves some appreciation. Get the album to show it.

Grade: B

Very good- perfect for a fun night togethe. I bought this album when it first came out, though I never wrote a review for it- so here it is. I like just about every track. However, my absolute favorites are:

One Girl to Love
Lights Down Low
My Angel
Want You to Know Me
Slow Down
Tell Me

I love this cd and I'm still listening to it to this day. This cd is very relaxing and its strictly talking to the ladies. It's mostly slow tempo songs for the exception of the first four track and "Come Touch Me". This is a great comeback from someone that was in a group Mista and really put himself back on the map. I'm looking forward to his next album Special Occasion coming out in May.

Bobby Valentino Looks like Clark Gable,Sings like Mike Halliday (or Bing Crosby take your pick) and plays Violin like Stefan Grapelli (well not that good but you get the picture). Along the way he makes very sweet music that will appeal to more discerning listeners who are not just locked into the current big thing. This music is not world changing nor is it ground breaking but it is very melodic and lots of fun.

A lounge lizard Cowboy who looks like Clarke Gable?

Yep and sounds like him too.

Great fun cross between crooning and country that Ive been trying to track down for years.

Thanks Amazon

Bobby is fiiine. He may be the sexiest man in the R&B industry right now. His voice is sexy and his accent is even more cute. Although, he may need to hire a new song writer. His beats are all the same. I LOVE YOU BOBBY.

Holla at ya girl, budafly