YEAR OF THE GENTLEMAN - Ne-Yo

SHAFFER Chimere Smith, a.k.a. Ne-Yo, the record producer, dancer, actor, occasional rapper and songwriter sensation, is out with his third album, Year Of The Gentleman, described by Ne-Yo himself as "an insidelook at the emotional vulnerability of men and without emasculating us".

But don't be fooled by the title, this album is all about the ladies.

Ne-Yo seeks to praise the wonder and beauty that is woman, through genuine respect and love from the perspective of the sensitive and understanding man.

The album is full of mid-tempo tracks, sprinkled with a couple of dance tracks and ballads.

The first two singles - Closer, the catchy, driven by a metallic disco thump courtesy of the Norwegian production team StarGate, and MissIndependent, the go-girl anthem of the year that sparks ahead with asolid beat and piano foundation - are rocketing up the charts.

Ne-Yo then plays the understanding guy who is trying to help a woman forget her underachieving boyfriend in Single.

The sure fire single is Mad, backed by an easy beat and gorgeous,affectionate piano.

Drippy, slightly maudlin cuts such as Fade Into TheBackground, So You Can Cry and Part Of The List keep the album from being as strong as Ne-Yo's previous two.

Be that as it may, Year Of The Gentleman proves that Ne-Yo's been paying attention and taking abundant notes on what women really want. - NST 12/10/2008