Calvin Richardson made a small impression as part of the short-lived mid-'90s urban group Undercover, whose smooth contemporary soul showed the influence of
Jodeci, childhood friends of
Richardson. So, it shouldn't come as a great surprise that
Country Boy, his 1999 solo debut, also recalls
Jodeci (it even features K-Ci on the opening track, "I'll Take Her"). To
Richardson's credit, he does show signs of developing his own vocal style, even if the music either is too close to
Jodeci for comfort, or a little too generic. That said, there are several very strong songs -- inlcuding the single "True Love," which features
Chico DeBarge, and the Monifah duet "Close My Eyes" -- that keep
Country Boy enjoyable, even when it sounds a little samey. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine