CD Review

Maktub is the band that slides you right past the "would you like to come up for a cup of coffee?" part of your date, and right into the heat and passion.

Say What You Mean is Maktub's second album to follow their virgin release of Khronos. From the initial track, "Promise Me,” the record grips your ears with an infectious beat driven by Davis Martin, below those seductive lyrics. It dances your date in through the open door and onto your comfortable couch.

Reggie Watts sings with the perfect combination of falsetto and soul, making smiles change to heart flutters, with a racing pulse. Behind him, the band brings romance to rhythm rock with their smooth as molasses changes. Each song elevates the mood, absorbing into your bloodstream without any effort. It's easy listening without being uninteresting.

Maktub offers up an undercurrent of professionalism and an air of confidence mixed with the sugary soul. The mood is cut up with strong rock licks and a passion similar to Seal, all done with a point in mind giving Reggie plenty of room to explore the multifaceted layers of his voice. He really flexes his vocal muscles for all to hear.

Maktub follows suit where the Counting Crows and Hootie and the Blowfish left off. Except they let their edges go less defined and songs leap from the speakers breathing down your neck. The scream of Thaddeus Turner's guitar mix with the pulse of Kevin Goldman’s bass and beats is fiery. Someone stir this soup because it's forming a hot sound.

Say What you Mean plays like something you've had in your CD collection your whole life. It's a sound track for those day's you wake-up on the right side of the bed. You just want to hit repeat and listen over and over.

For more info see: maktub.com