ALBUM REVIEW: “Expressions of Men” – Akinyele the Blk Night

MUSIC IS LIKE THE LOTTERY. . You gotta be in it to win it. Sometimes, you can get lucky and everything hits. Other times it’s a long game. But for those that hang,  there’s always the possibility that things can change, more than they would stay the same. It all depends on your faith and passion in your purpose. It’s the Pride in the passion for Singer and Songwriter  AKINYELE THE BLK NIGHT, (Akinyele Spaight) who has put in more than his share of time and tears in his career in music. The prolific songwriter recently dropped the first of a 3 part album project planned for 2024 with the album ”Expressions of Men”,  featuring the first single “Find Real Love” which could also be considered the theme and diatribe of local artists in not just Detroit, But the elusive Holy Grail for local and Indie artists alike who want and deserve to be heard. They are just trying to Find some Love for their music. 

 For those who are not familiar with AKINYELE THE BLK NIGHT, he is a Die Hard R&B artist in the vein of 90s artists like JOE, R, Kelly, Tank and Tyrese. With the influence of the greats in Marvin Gaye, Al Green and Ron Isley/ Isley Brothers to name a few. HIs music is both Sensual and Romantic as it is Soulfully intricate, seductive and intoxicating.

On “EXPRESSIONS OF MEN”,   the 18 song deep album, the artist brings not just his staple sound of sensuality, but injects elements of earnestness and vulnerability to show it’s not always about the seduction and the sex. Starting with the first single “Find Real Love” that is a stripped down plea that a lothario needs Love too. Some of my favorite cuts in the 17 song deep project have to be “Can I Be”,  “Give it Up”,  with lyrics that go, “..You’re the best part of me wakin up. And I ain’t talkin bout no Folgers in my cup”…“Let Me” featuring B. Roze, It has a melody and lithe feel that gives it a familiar and inviting warmth with a groove straight out the Jodeci era playbook. One of the weapons employed by AKINYELE, is the many guest collaborations from a number guest vocalists in addition to his use of the talkbox. The album is a Heavy Slow Grinder steeped in AKINYELE’s traditional Soulful Sensuality that is directed mainly toward a female audience. But aims to make it a romantic affair on songs like “Hurt No More”, “Handle with Care” and “You” featuring Vocalist Kaddy Rebos. The project takes a spiritual turn with the song “Make Me Better” with an assist from son Akinyele Jr. to bring everything full circle in keeping with the theme of the album “EXPRESSIONS OF MEN” allowing for the artist and company to reveal other layers of a mans journey. 

“EXPRESSIONS OF MEN” is the kind of music that 90’s R&B was built on. The kind of music that would stand strong next to Jodeci, Keith Sweat, Silk and more Male R&B that was equal parts Soul with poignant emphatic lyrics, as well as explicit yet sensually delivered sangin. – Terry Martin for RnBInTheD.com

IG – @akinyeletheblknight – https://www.instagram.com/akinyele_the_blk.night/