Here are two words to describe the new Philip Manuel album: Ooooooh yeah. A collection of soulful slow jams and mellow R&B grooves, PM spotlights seductive lyrics sung by the silky-voiced New Orleans vocalist

Anyone familiar with Manuel’s numerous jazz recordings be forewarned: this is not a jazz album. The tone for the album is set in its opening lyrics, “You know just why I called you / Girl, you know what’s on my mind”. For the next 51 minutes, Manuel takes the listener on a smooth ride through 11 new love jams, backed with plenty of wah-wah guitar and female backing vocals.

Throughout PM, there are some great moments. The slow and smooth “I Can Take You Further” stands out as the perfect display of Manuel’s vocal prowess, showing not only incredible technique but his ability to entrance the listener with his rich inflection. Another highlight, “I Got Love for You,” is funky and free-flowing.

Manuel’s new musical direction seems a perfect fit for him; PM leaves no doubt that he has, indeed, got soul. The style and lyrical content of the album are a bit unoriginal, and PM does get a bit cheesy at times. But for the most part, Manuel succeeds in setting a sensual mood the whole way through and doesn’t fail to impress with his vocal talents.