Lost in Time is an appropriate title for
Eric Benét’s fifth album: it’s designed to be deliberately out of time, a tribute to the ‘70s soul the singer grew up loving.
Benét has never strayed too far from this template but on
Lost in Time it’s possible to draw a family tree for each song, sometimes tracing back roots to specific songs: “Paid” grows out of “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”; “Feel Good” has the chord progression of “The Best of My Love.” When
Benét isn’t saluting individual hits, he’s luxuriating in the sounds of
Marvin,
Prince,
Stevie, and
Gamble & Huff, replicating the textures of classic smooth soul, perhaps to the detriment of the melodies. Although it would be nice if the songs hooked deeply, sticking around in the brain after they’re finished playing,
Benét has wound up with a seductive pastiche with
Lost in Time, the kind of record that might not be deep but shimmers pleasingly on the surface. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine