Anderson .Paak: Ventura [AFTERMATH]

Why you'll love it

Ventura comes in a gatefold jacket. It won the Grammy for Best R&B Album in 2020 and debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, his first US Top 10 album.

This edition

• Gatefold jacket

About the album

Anderson .Paak wrote Ventura and Oxnard at the same time, then sensibly split them up: the rap-heavy one came out first, and six months later this smooth, soulful sibling followed. Dr. Dre gave him more room on this one, and .Paak used it, spreading his wings on the production, the writing and the collaborations.

"Come Home" opens with André 3000 at full tilt, "Make It Better" pairs .Paak with Smokey Robinson for a slow-dance classic in the making, and "King James" grooves with purpose. Jazmine Sullivan lights up "Good Heels," Brandy turns up on "Jet Black," and "What Can We Do?" carries a posthumous verse from Nate Dogg. The live band stays locked in the whole way, with sumptuous harmonies on top.

It holds an 82 on Metacritic, and the Grammy shelf at .Paak's place got a little more crowded. It sounds like the best of 1970s soul with a fresh coat of paint, and we've yet to catch anyone in the shop sitting still while it's on.

Also at Kops: more Anderson .Paak on vinyl · browse Hip Hop / R&B

Tracklist

Listen

On 12 Tone Music / Aftermath (cat# 69019 T), the 2019 album.