Anderson .Paak has evolved throughout his career into one of the most forward thinking and impressive solo acts of the past decade. However, “Ventura”, his 4th solo project, is a contemporary take on the genre that is rock solid from front to back. With features from legends such as Smokey Robinson, Andrè 3000, Brandy, and the late Nate Dogg, .Paak creates a body of work that brings together the sounds of today and yesterday in a perfect marriage of everything beautiful about that classic RnB sound.
“Come Home” with Andre 3000 is a beautiful opener filled with horns and a killer bassline, completed by a classic verse from the OutKast frontman that wouldn’t be out of place on an album from the group’s heyday. .Paak has a very unique and striking voice that always takes center stage, and he never sounds out of place vocally, no matter how many twists the instrumentals may take.
As a talented drummer who will often play while singing on stage, .Paak is able to create tracks that sound distinctly analog; modern but authentic due to the fact that he just knows how to put everything in the right place. Every note just makes sense, instrumentals like this just aren’t found too often anymore with the advent of beat making softwares and DAWs, and while those aren’t bad, there’s just something about envisioning this album being made in your head as you listen to it. That’s at least what I like to do.
The final trio of songs that finish the album, “Jet Black”, “Twilight”, and finally “What Can We Do”, is such a perfect way to wrap up a project. It’s sentimental, it sounds beautiful, and it puts a bow on an album that will never truly age. “What Can We Do” features the aforementioned unreleased material from Nate Dogg, and after the two finish going back and forth on the album’s final chorus, .Paak asks Nate where he’s going as the track slowly fades out, as a touching tip of the cap to one a pioneer of the genre.
And what always stands out to me, in every Anderson .Paak album but especially this one, is just how much fun it sounds like he’s having making this music. As someone who was homeless with his wife and child for a stretch, .Paak seems grateful for his situation and how much he’s been given, and it’s all deserved. It’s infectious, it always puts a smile on my face, and when I’m old and grey and my world is probably a lot more different, I think I’ll enjoy this album just as much as I did when it was released in 2019.
Jason M: This is easy on the ears. R n’ B/soul isn’t in my wheelhouse too often but when it’s done well it’s hard not to appreciate. Having a list of guests including Smokey Robinson and Lalah Hathaway doesn’t hurt, but the tunes are polished without being slick, rich without being over-the-top. “Make It Better” with Robinson glides along as Anderson’s effortless approach brings to mind Lee Fields and to a lesser extent Prince. When he finds a groove, as he does on “Reachin’ 2 Much,” it’s allowed to run its course, not shutdown after three minutes.
The one knock I have is why leave a nugget like “Good Heels” dead in the water after 98 seconds? Why? Why do that to me? Oh well, “King James” more than makes up for the previous tune’s terseness. The highlight for this listener is “Jet Black” and how damn solid it is and that bassline…. But then again “Twilight” has that horn which has great results. Okay I’ll shut up. Will take this over anything that Mars chap (Bruno and Mick) has put out any day of the week.
Joe D: I haven’t listened to Anderson .Paak in years–not since Malibu dropped and I saw him headline a festival in Singapore in 2017. He kinda slipped out of view for me, so seeing Ventura on here was a great chance to revisit an artist I’d mostly forgotten about. It’s a solid album! Not flashy or sophisticated, but good vibes all around; it very much feels like an album that came together organically and with spur of the moment ideas. The guest features sound like they just happened to strut through the studio while .Paak was at work, and he invited them to jump on a track without a second thought–very much a, “It’s good to see you! Why don’t you get in the recording booth and see what happens?” process. It’s easy listening funk-soul that’s great for warm patios and cold drinks. Plus, ya love to see local girl Jazmine Sullivan pop up on a track.
Thomas: I’m definitely most familiar with Anderson .Paak’s work with Knxledge as Nx Worries, and I’m sort of shocked I never gave an album of his a full listen before. Ventura is sort of what you expect from someone that has committed themselves to perfectly bringing the vintage soul feel to the modern era. Honestly, might be something so 70s Philadelphia about this sound.
The entire record is just something you put on and know it will be a good time. While something so distinct and rooted in a certain sound can feel so repetitive and drawn out, Ventura really keeps it fresh each track. Three tracks in “Reachin’ 2 Much” brings the desired increase in tempo after some soulful start and then at track five, “Good Heels” is just a laidback jam. This album is maybe the perfect introduction to this sound to the general public – outside of crate digging and breathing in decades of dust to find a sound like this, Ventura brings it.
Maddie: There are a handful of things in my life that I don’t do often (like pilates, or watching soccer) but when I eventually make my way back to them, I can’t help but wonder why I don’t take them in regularly – and I think listening to albums within the realm – whatever you might call it, I’m not sure – that Ventura falls into is another one of them.
This was a really nice listen – I gave it a first spin the other night while I was cooking dinner and it ended up being the perfect accompaniment. Since this is something of a new genre/space for me, I’m not sure how much I have to offer in the way of Serious Musical Commentary, but I don’t know dudes, I just liked this. It’s easy, it’s smooth, but varied enough in its vibes and textures to keep from getting stale. I can see what the others mean when they say that the collaborative element of the record adds an extra layer to it, makes it more fun in a way. Because it is fun! It’s polished, without taking itself too seriously. And it’s definitely one I’ll be returning to.
