Album Review: Shaliek, Blood Sweat Tears

Half of y’all reading this review have given me grief over the years for being an old man trapped in a young man’s body.

Yeah, I’d rather drop stacks on Stacy Adams than the new J’s and I kinda look like George Jefferson on the dance floor. I don’t hit the Nae Nae. And y’all need to turn that stereo down after 9 p.m.! A brother has to get up early in the mornin’.

But having an old soul is more than just an excuse to complain. An old soul is a sign of wisdom.

Shaliek Rivers feels me.

Although he’s in his early 20s, Shaliek possess vocals that are straight out of R&B’s glory days – and no, I’m not talking about the New Jack Swing Era. He sounds like a transplant from the era of Motown itself.

His new album Blood Sweat Tears isn’t just a sonic history lesson. The songs, the lyrics, the structure – it all harkens back to days gone by.

If you’re a fan of his single “The Past,” expect more of the same – a voice that sounds well beyond his years with content equally as mature.

“They say a man ain’t supposed to cry but they don’t know my life,” he croons on “Ain’t Supposed to Cry.” It’s an honest assessment of adult life – the game is really missing that level of  maturity right now. The tender “That’s How Beautiful You Are” and the pleading “I’ll Give It Up” follow that same template. Even the title track is a throwback to soul brothers of the 60s: “I get lost in the moment when her lips touch mine.” 

It’s another example of songwriting that seems to be a lost art.

But the album isn’t all mushy ballads and heartwrenching depression. Shaliek knows how to raise the tempo. Kwame steps in to produce “Better Woman,” giving the song a slight hip-hop edge without totally going overboard. Meanwhile, Shaliek continues to put his woman first: “instead of breaking her down, you gotta lift her up now,” he advises. “Feel It” keeps the party moving too, with Shaliek’s vocals almost sounding Trey Songz-ish.

Although the album serves almost as a bridge between musical generations, some of the ballads do tend to overstay their welcome. Some younger listeners definitely will lose patience with a few of these songs. For instance, the upbeat, big band sound of “So Tired” just doesn’t work over Shaliek’s strained vocals. The old/new school approach isn’t always a perfect fit.

Blood Sweat Tears is an ambitious – and admirable – project but the blend of musical styles might not ring well in the ears of all listeners. That’s no slight against Shaliek, though. His voice embodies the history of the genre we love so much. Blood Sweat Tears is simply a history lesson from an old soul.

Best tracks: “Feel It,” “I’ll Give It Up,” “Better Woman”

3.5 stars out of 5