Year of the Gentleman (CD - 2008)

Personnel: Ne-Yo (vocals); Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermanson, Syience, Shomari "Sho" Wilson (various instruments); Robert Taylor "R.T." (guitar, guitars); Bernt Rune Stray, Brandon Thomas , Jesse Bond (guitar); Igor Szwec, Emma Kummrow, Rob Martin, Olga Konopelsky, Gregory Teperman, Charles Parker (violin); Alexandra Leem, Davis A. Barnett (viola); Jennie Lorenzo (cello); Shea Taylor (strings, piano, synthesizer, bass instrument, drum programming); Micayle "the Mack" McKinney, Micayle McKinney (keyboards).

Audio Mixers: Kevin "KD" Davis; Jaymz Hardy Martin III; Phil Tan.

Recording information: Circle House Studios, Miami, FL; Roc The Mic Studios, New York, NY; The Carrington House, Atlanta, GA; The Studio, Philadelphia, PA; WEstlake Studios, Los Angeles, CA; ZAC Recording Studio, Atlanta, GA.

Photographer: Chris Stanford.

Arrangers: Chuck Harmony; Larry Gold.

The R&B singer, songwriter, producer, and all-around hit-making machine known as Ne-Yo works his magic yet again on YEAR OF THE GENTLEMAN. Different from your average R&B crooner of the day, Ne-Yo backs away from overt sexuality, instead aiming for subtle romantic ballads that vary from playful innocence to brooding melancholy. Lead single "Closer" is unique as Ne-Yo works his silky smooth voice over a poppy house track. Overall, YEAR OF THE GENTLEMAN is consistent in this respectfully seductive approach to the fairer sex. In "Nobody," an awed Ne-Yo sings the praises of his love interest--"Can't nobody strut like her/Can't nobody touch her"--and the second single, "Miss Independent" is as close to a feminist anthem as the R&B genre has come in years. Production work comes from Polow da Don, Stargate, Chuck Harmony, Stereotypes, and Ne-Yo himself. minimize