Chris Walker,
I Know It's Love



Label: Canvas Records

(3 out of 5)

After a dozen years of silence, Houston native Chris Walker resurfaces with I Know It's Love. A multitalented musician with a stunningly soulful voice, Walker delivers a solid rhythm and blues meditation on the ups and downs of love. While the musical chops are still there, the lyrics are weak in places—sometimes tending more to cliche than heartfelt reflection. But I Know It's Love provides ample reasons to celebrate Walker's return to the studio.

Walker notched an impressive string of R&B hits from his 1991 debut album, First Time. "Giving You All My Love" and "Take Time" landed in Billboard's top 10. Two songs from his 1993 follow-up, Sincerely Yours, also managed to chart. But then Walker seemingly disappeared, leaving fans wondering just what happened to the one-time staple of video programs like BET's "Midnight Love."

In reality, Walker never disappeared. Instead, this former bassist for jazz luminaries like Ornette Coleman, Gil Evans, and Kirk Whalum stepped out of the spotlight and chose to support other artists. He has worked with a range of vocalists, from Regina Belle to Al Jarreau, and he currently serves as Jarreau's musical director and sometime songwriting collaborator.

Walker nimbly blends styles on I Know It's Love. The first single, "Drifting Along," is a synthesizer-heavy R&B number not unlike his hits a decade ago. But it's songs like the pleading "Even Now," the optimistic duet (with gospel singer Rosalyn Brunswick McDuffie) "Can We Make Believe," and the country/jazz fusion of "Perfect Woman" that better showcase Walker's talents.

Walker shares songwriting credits with Houston businessman Ray J. Davis, who heads a medical supplies company that specializes in diabetes care. In turn, Walker is donating a portion of the proceeds to the American Diabetes Association.

While I Know It's Love marks a solid homecoming of sorts for the vocalist who once stood at the forefront of R&B, it's unlikely to churn hits quite like Walker's early '90s albums. The R&B field has evolved considerably since then, and much of Walker's present-day music seemingly harkens back to that era of early Boyz II Men and vintage Luther Vandross.

Yet in many ways it's still a triumphant return. Walker's voice is powerful as ever, practically oozing a sort of rhythmic sensuality. And it certainly will please fans who wondered whatever happened to Chris Walker.

Hopefully Walker will choose to build on the stronger elements of I Know It's Love and not wait another dozen years to return to the studio.

July 21, 2005