“This 20-track collection is inspired by love (“Love Ultra”), women (“Travelin Girl”), sex (“Blow Your Mind”) and all the ups and downs of relationships (“Free As a Bird,” “Workin On It”), underlined by attractive production, pretty compositions and Dwele’s supple voice. The narratives break from the norm on tracks like “I’m Cheating,” where he croons about loving his partner’s reserved side as well as her kinky side, and feeling the urge to cheat on one with the other as if they were two different people. The rock-tinged “Body Rock” and “Brandi,” which features a rap verse, also stray from the typical soulful sound, but they add a welcome twist. Elsewhere, Dwele capably handles Bobby Caldwell’s tough breakup anthem “Open Your Eyes” and displays vulnerability on “A Few Reasons.” These “Sketches of a Man” are likely to be some of the most in-demand R&B tunes of the summer.—Mariel Concepcion”
