Disco de Darius Rucker: “Back To Then”

For people thinking this is an extension of Hootie and the Blowfish's style of music, you will be disappointed, but don't despair. Darius has ventured into the R&B world with a tight and suave album of soul. I am big Hootie fan, but after waiting months for the long anticipated album I was not disappointed. Working with Musiq, Jill Scott, and Jimmy Cozier (R&B fans are well aware of those artists) to name a few, Darius delivers one of the best produced albums in some time. Jill Scott lends her voice for "Sometimes I wonder" and their voices match like peanut butter and jelly. This isn't Usher or Sisqo, but someone with more talent and a more sophisticated arrangement. If you are a fan of the so called "Neo-Soul" and artists like Jill Scott, Bilal, and Musiq or even fans of classic R&B like Al Green (Darius covers "I'm Glad You're Mine"), Sam Cook, and Marvin Gaye, you will love this album by Darius Rucker! From the first song, "Wild One" on through the CD, you will be bumping to the beat and nodding to the melody. You will not be disappointed with this CD! For all you Hootie & the Blowfish fans, beware, this is not what you are used to; however, I can guarantee you will love it!

Well, I don't work for Hidden Beach records, but I LOVE THIS CD. Darius, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much for this. You are reminding us that this is what soul music was meant to evolve into, not most of the stuff that's passing for R&B nowadays. He acknowledges his roots in soul music, even though his claim to fame is being a rock/alternate folk singer (Hootie and the Blowfish). But this sure ain't Hootie!!

R&B legends like Marvin Gaye, David Ruffin, Teddy Pendergrass, Otis Redding and Al Green quickly come to mind when you hear Darius' voice on these songs! You can hear the love and sincerity infused into every song on this neo-classic soul influenced cd. Five of the tracks were produced by A Touch of Jazz, best known for their work with Jill Scott and Michael Jackson ("Butterflies"), and Darius collaborates with other heavyweights in the R&B world, like Lil Mo, Musiq and Jimmy Cozier.

My favorite song on Back To Then? "Ten Years". It's so beautiful and emotional that it made me cry the first time I heard it! And there are two versions of it! Other songs you'll love are "Exodus", "This Is My World", "Back To Then", "I'm Glad You're Mine" and "Sometimes I Wonder", a hot duet with Jill Scott which IMO should be the next single. With that song, Darius will definitely blow up! And why isn't "Wild One" being played on the radio?? This song is off the chain! I gave Back To Then four stars because I really didn't care for the last two songs: the Christian themed "Somewhere" and the Snoop Dogg featured hip-hop number, "Sleeping in My Bed", but other than those two, this is a very solid debut. Take Darius Rucker seriously as an R&B artist because he is more than just "Hootie". I definitely want to see and hear more from him as a soloist.

Darius Rucker is a diamond in the ruff. This cd is a masterpiece. If you are a Hootie and the Blowfish fan this may not be your flavor.This is a collective of soul catching melodies. "Sometimes I Wonder" featuring Jill Scott is a seductive soulful track that puts you in the frame of mind of Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell. I feel Darius has two homes, R&B Soul and pop rock. It's ok to be multi- talented and explore different facets of music. I can only wonder why Sony did not promote this collection with more enthusiasm (this is a classic).

This CD is no Hootie (not that there is anything wrong with Hootie). Totally different style and I love it. I bought this CD the week it came out after hearing "This is My World" in Shallow Hal. Barely do I take it out of my CD player. This is a prime example of incredible music that never gets airtime The duet w/Jill Scott...on fire. Knowing another new Hootie CD is on its way...great...I just hope this isn't Darius' last attempt at a solo CD. After hearing this, I'm left wanting more.

A CD with selections to capture every mood. From "Wild One" to "Exodus" to "Back to Then" and "Ten Years", this CD captures the angst, the regret and the joy of being in love (or, at the least, trying not to screw it up). Gospel-tinged Track #11, "Amazing Grace", adds an unexpected (but welcome) level of spirituality to the menu while Track 13, "Sleeping in My Bed", gives you something to bounce to a bit.

Simply put, great songwriting abounds and the production is tight. Very pleased and looking forward to more from a talented artist with a distinctive voice who deserves kudos and applause for a polished product. This one'll be on the cd changer for quite some time to come. Whether it's over a quiet candlelight dinner or driving the highway to who-knows-where, this CD is terrific. Can't wait for Mr. Rucker's next solo project.

This is my first on-line review and I could not have chosen a better first album to highlight. Bravo.