Dwele consistently produces very smooth and easily consumable tracks. Albums slide from track to track, building on stock R&B themes -- Love, relationships and heartache. With Sketches Of A Man, Dwele proves a new found maturity.
This begins with understanding. Expressed in "Feels So Good," there's a sense that it's ok to let the moment catch you. He's backed by a soulful bounce indicative of the overall Dwele experience. Laid back, lounge party music. Dwele, no doubt, has a captivating voice, and the only detraction is that one can't help but keep waiting for him to let it loose. Just show a bit of range.
The standout vocally is "Open Your Eyes." Here Dwele allows his voice to stand alone, and not become totally intertwined in the music. Sometimes, it takes a cover for that to happen. And, it never ceases to impress when an artist makes the song his own. Dwele succeeds here, and makes this the most rewind worthy song on Sketches Of A Man.
Brandi has a guest appearance from fellow Detroit artists Slum Village. Sadly it proves that while singing and rapping can often go hand in hand, the two vocal styles can also combine in a bland tune. The song does remind of the rather hilarious "pancakes" metaphor Dwele enjoys, giving it a brief moment in the sun.
On the final track, "Body Rock," Dwele pushes out of the soul based comfort zone he's cultivated, and tries a pre-club motivator. He's less convincing when he enters into a more poppy stratosphere, though here his voice proves a more powerful vehicle. It creates an interesting tension ... working on something outside his cannon he pushes himself, but sadly fails to make music that sinks into the soul as easily as the rest.
The fourth track might suggest that Sketches Of A Man will "Blow Your Mind." That certainly isn't true. However, it is worth the hour of your time. And, about 45 minutes of that is worth reliving several times over. Dwele has some growth left in him, which will catch him up to the more refined singers in the neosoul universe. He's on the right track.
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