About Dave Hollister

 

Onetime R&B session vocalist Dave Hollister first appeared on the soundtrack of Boyz N the Hood, but got his big break as an original member of Teddy Riley's Blackstreet, performing on their 1994 debut album. He departed shortly thereafter to pursue a solo career, not only as a singer but also as a songwriter and producer. Hollister's first recorded effort as a solo act, the Erick Sermon/Redman collaboration "Weekend," was featured on the movie soundtrack The Ride and released as a single in 1998. His solo debut album, Ghetto Hymns, was issued in 1999. The autobiographical Chicago '85... The Movie followed a year later. The album eventually went gold thanks to the popularity of "One Woman Man." In 2002, Hollister left DreamWorks for Motown in search of some new energy. His third album, Things in the Game Done Changed appeared the same year and reflected Hollister's change in sound, although it didn't fare as well as his previous releases. Quickly returning to his original label, Hollister issued Real Talk in fall 2003. He then signed with Gospo Centric and released 2006's The Book of David, Vol. 1: The Transition. Now he's back with "The MANuscript"...

This new ten tracker sees Hollister team up with hot writing team Candice Nelson and Belewa Muhammad who've previously created hits for Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Angie Stone and, yes, Britney Spears and Justin Bieber. Don't worry though.... what they bring to this particular recording has more to do with Mary and Angie that Britney and Justin! Indeed, one of the writing duo's previous clients guests on 'The MANUscript'. The lovely Angie Stone brings her warm and soulful tones to one of the album highlights, 'Receipts'. The song is a sort of soul soap opera with Dave and Angie playing the roles of partners who've been in unsatisfactory relationships. Needless to say they've now found each other and should live happily ever after (hopefully!). The cut is one of many that carry the albums key message... yes, "love, really, is the message". Hollister (an ordained pastor in the World Assembly Church) wants to celebrate love and show praise and respect for women, so often objectified in soul and R&B.

Hear that message most clearly on the album opener, the quite lovely, 'Definition Of A Woman'. Musically it's a mix of modern R&B and classic soul. Hollister's gritty tenor is superbly emotive... maybe, because he dedicates the song to his wife of 8 years, Ayana. Whatever, it's mesmerising. Little wonder it impacted the charts as the LP's first single.

Amongst other highlights are the finger-clickin' 'Ooh Ya Ya', the sweet ballad 'One Great Love' (Dave says this is a homage to Alexander O'Neal) and the more complex 'Barbershop'. Then there's the blues-tinged 'Blind', the heavy 'Geometry' and gospel-inflected 'Let Him'. Yep, there's lots that's good here... and so pleasing to have a soul/R&B album that is consistently optimistic and positive.