Charlie Wilson - CHARLIE, LAST NAME WILSON - CD

When former Gap Band vocalist Charlie Wilson appeared on Snoop Dogg's "Signs" with Justin Timberlake, the 2004 track gave the Oklahoma native the widest exposure since his funk group's late-1970s/early-'80s glory days. In 2005, Wilson followed up on this momentum with the solo disc CHARLIE, LAST NAME WILSON, a potent dose of contemporary R&B that features production work by R. Kelly. Though much of the album is straight-up R&B/soul, it does stop in hip-hop territory, most notably on the steamy "So Hot" and the defiant "You Got Nerve" (with a guest shot by Snoop). Two other highlights reveal the smooth-voiced Wilson's range--"No Words" is a romantic ballad that will have listeners swooning, while "Floatin'" (performed with Timberlake and the Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am) revisits party-ready Gap Band-like funk. With its mix of old-school talent and 21st-century sounds, CHARLIE, LAST NAME WILSON is sure to appeal to a deservedly wide audience. Genre: Pop Format: CD