Album #2 in The Maestros 'comeback'

Barry White had made a welcome return to the scene in 1987 with `The Right Night & Barry White', an impressive collection of mainly cooled love songs. 1989s `The Man Is Back' sees Barry changing up his game again, this time with an album of two halves. Side one is more up tempo, fun stuff, whereas side two is a selection of chilled, jazzy love songs. It works well and this is a nice varied set for only the 2nd album in his comeback.

The first two cuts are okay, fast-paced numbers, take em or leave em. `LA My Kinda Place' is The Jam, and cuts like `I Wanna Do It Good To Ya' and `Follow That & See' flow with real catchy melodies. `When Will I See You Again' rides a slick, hypnotic groove and vocal, and the last few cuts are jazz influenced ballads. `Don't Let Go' and `Goodnight My Love' are beautifully sung slow burners that build up to dramatic finishes over pianos & strings.

You have to love Barry, the man covers all bases with positive messages and love themes, again you can not only hear, but FEEL his experience of love & life when he kicks game and a lot of his lyrics are very deep. Overall this is a cool album, a nice advancement on his previous effort.

GOOD DISC

what can you say about the genius of Barry White? he is very talented&Underrated to me.those strings&the way he arranges music is something special.his voice is still solid.follow that&you will see is a good message song.this is a good disc.

See Where Barry Leads Y?all

Barry White is the man and I think it seems just to simple to express that in many of his hits sets, but its really proven on this 1989 set of duds that didn't chart high. I find it kind of shocking that these steamy soul numbers with an eighties twist didn't set the world on fire. It's a nice blend of that deep chanting with a sexy mix of strings and well timed keyboards. It works very well.

Indeed many of the songs are smooth crooning. Mostly toward the later end with yearning of "When Will I See You Again" to piano tinged epics like "Don't Let Go". Wonder what Barry wants you to do with over 9 minutes of a song like that? I guess to Barry fans from the old school that is not a shock. The man is an entertainer and makes real big good records. ON the first half of "The Man is Back", however, its not slow jams but rather upbeat R&B that almost comes off as Europe dance. "L.A. My Kind Of Place" is sexy uptempo sounds from strings to percussion. "Super Lover" is almost too funky for its own good and sounds like a spoof of dance music. The best of this side and the reason I bought the album is the club pop yet smart lyrics of "Follow That And See (Where It Leads Y'All)". I think its great that the bass voiced lover uses some great wisdom on this track to get the kids to think, and dance. The song is a very quirky pleasant dance jam from the King of smooth soft ones.

Barry's first side of dance to till you drop is kind of strange but enjoyable. I think fans of his disco side might dig it. Personally, I do love that song "Follow..." and think its smart dance music. I kind of see why it wasn't a hit. Just doesn't fit for Barry to jam like that, but it has a very eighties dance groove. Those smoothies of jazzy delight will make you want to get with your loved one. He's done it again, but no "opps" here. Let this album take you on a ride. This is a forgotten great by the master Mr. White.