112 – Part III

Artist: 112

Title: Part III

Label: Bad Boy

Rating: 7.5/10

It’s time for 112 to get your respect, and mine. Part III finds the boys as men and this time they’re not holding anything back.

112 have not distinguished themselves as more than a novelty. The voices are silky. The harmonies are tight. The songs are strong. “Dance With Me” puts their R&B chops to the test and they come out with flying colors. “It’s Over Now” is a ballad about leaving love behind that always seemed so right but has gone sour.

They really hit the ground running with the delicious “Peaches & Cream”. In and out the same door, “Don’t Hate Me” finds Twista ripping lines that would turn your tongue inside out, but it’s the voices of 112 that combine to take a song about stealing someone’s love into a track that is overpowered by lush vocals. “Smile” is tender to the touch and certainly a track you can use to get the one you love into a better place.

112 can get off without taking it to you as the everyday run of the mill R&B act. “Player” is soul that seemed lost in the ’70’s. They’ve proven their powers aren’t only in their voices. They can make songs sound as diverse as they are. 112 have grown as men and artists.

+ cc morris