Carvin Winans ‘In The Softest Way’ Review

Carvin Winans
In The Softest Way
(The Dance Factory)

The Winans are gospel royalty and any fruit from the family tree is worth your time and attention. However, Carvin Winans’ new album, In The Softest Way, is an especially en-joyable adult R&B release filled with silky smooth grooves a la Maxwell or Eric Benét. Instead of writing for others artists or sharing the stage with his brothers as he has in years past, Winans’ new solo turn is musically mesmerizing.

“Misunderstood” is the best example of the bunch with an inventively playful piano refrain dancing around the pri-mary hook—a song ready-made for repeat listens. Guest spots from Kenny G (the title track), Marvin Winans (“Ready to Love You”) and Stevie Wonder (“If You Only Knew My Heart”) enhance an already irresistible mix from Carvin, and this is an album that fur-ther bolsters the Winans’ great name.

–Matt Conner