4

6.3

UK release date 14.05.2007

No one can ever doubt the overwhelming R&B prowess that Bobby (formerly Bobby Valentino) possesses.

After reaching multi-platinum status, thanks to his debut smash ‘Disturbing Tha Peace Presents: Bobby Valentino’, not only does he have women all over the globe wanting to get next to him, but many of the fellas have him to thank for their most recent hook-ups. Looking at it on paper, ‘Special Occasion’ is an all-star outing, full of extravagant beat-makers that should leave fans of the young crooner musically satisfied. However, once you’re actually aurally introduced to Bobby’s new LP, things prove different. With only a handful of cuts worth mentioning (namely the Timbaland-produced single ‘Anonymous’), the sophomore curse has struck the southern soul star and it doesn’t seem like he’s going to be getting up from the blow anytime soon. The constant repetition of tracks ‘Over & Over’, ‘Can’t Wait ‘Til Later’ and ‘Only Human’ mirror an artist desperately seeking to recreate an older era of R&B. It’s not that Bobby can’t cut the mustard because he’s already proved that he can, it’s just the direction that he’s taken with this release is all wrong.

Learning from mistakes is something people do on a regular basis; let’s hope Mr Valentino does.
Words Will Lavin