Evolver (CD - 2008)

Personnel: John Legend (vocals, piano, keyboards, background vocals); Estelle, Brandy (vocals, background vocals); Agape International Choir, Kanye West, André 3000 (vocals); Malay (various instruments, keyboards, programming); Mitchum Chin (guitar, keyboards); Tomi Martin, Sharief Hobley (guitar); Dave Tozer (guitars, keyboards); Tim Pierce, Trevor Horn (guitars); Joel Pargman, Lorenz Gamma, Irina Voloshina, Nina Evtuhov, Katia Popov, Robin Olson, Mark Sazer, Tammy Hatwan, Jennie Levin, Alan Grunfeld, Neil Samples, Julie Rogers, Robert Martin , Sid Page, Bruce Dukov, Igor Szwec, Lesa Terry, Shalini Vijayan, Neel Hammond, Emma Kummrow, Darius Campo, Olga Konopelsky, Gregory Teperman, Charles Parker (violin); Alexandra Leem, Shawn Mann, Kate Reddish, Carole Castillo, Carolyn Riley, Piotr Jandula, Davis A. Barnett, Alma Fernandez (viola); Gioyanna Clayton, Larry Corbett, Jennie Lorenzo, Cecilia Tsan, Victor Lawrence (cello); Paul Klintworth, Dana Kelley, Jennie Kim, Jim Thatcher (French horn); Dean Fraser, Hornz Unlimited (horns); Eugene "Man Man" Roberts (keyboards, vocoder, programming); Stephen Tirpak, Jamie Muhoberac, Shannon Sanders (keyboards); Drew Dembowski, Bruce Morgenthaler, Pete Donnelly, Sue Raney, Ann Atkinson (bass instrument); Pharrell Williams (percussion, background vocals); Luis Jardim (percussion); Dwayne Chin-Quee (programming); Jessyca Wilson, Lenesha Randolph, Terrence "Scar" Smith, Christopher "Lonny" Breaux, Candice Anderson (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Kevin "KD" Davis; Manny Marroquin; Alex Yenguen; Jean-Marie Horvat; Mike "Hitman" Wilson.

Arrangers: Dwayne Chin-Quee; Stephen Tirpak; Dave Tozer; Larry Gold; Nick Ingman; Pete Murray.

The third full-length from John Legend finds the neo-soul singer-songwriter mixing it up a bit. Whereas its predecessor, the excellent ONCE AGAIN, stayed the course of smooth yet passionate retro-themed R&B, EVOLVER experiments with different sounds and styles. The lead single, "Green Light," with its amped-up programmed beat, synths, and cameo from Andre 3000, sounds more like a 21st-century club jam than an old-school throwback. Reggae, ballads, adult contemporary, and digitized contemporary R&B all make their way into the album's diverse musical stew. Whether it's the mellow, low-key funk of "It's Over," the synth-pop of "Satisfaction" (one can imagine the song being performed by Depeche Mode), or the guest spots from Brandy, Estelle, and Kanye West, EVOLVER keeps the listener guessing. It may not have the consistency of Legend's first two releases, but its cornucopia of interesting sounds and directions offer something for everyone. minimize