MORE THAN WORDS - Brian Mcknight

Personnel: Brian McKnight (guitar, keyboards, programming); Niko McKnight (guitar, keyboards, programming); Tyrone Chase, Eric Brice (guitar); Brian McKnight Jr. (keyboards, programming); Prescott Ellison (drums).Audio Mixers: Brian McKnight Jr.; Chris Wood .McKnight's first album since 2011, More Than Words is filled with references to late-'70s and early-'80s R&B and soft rock. They're unmistakable from the beginning, with the opening "Don't Stop" driven by a chunky Slave-like bassline, while the following "Letsomebodyluvu" sports McKnight's Michael McDonald-style background vocal. "Get U 2 Stay" is obvious in its indebtedness to Aja/Gaucho-era Steely Dan, languid and sweet with unmistakably Donald Fagen-like melodies and a quote from "Hey Nineteen." McKnight adds a slightly nutty lyrical touch, mentioning designer footwear and "stretchy pants," and noting that he plays in a band and is "a golf ball hittin' machine." "She Doesn't Know" could have been written with Ray Parker Jr.'