Babyface, born Kenneth Edmonds, has contributed more to r&b than any other artist since the late 1980s. A former singer in the group the Deele (remember "Two Occasions"?), Babyface was not only a Grammy winning songwriter, but he was also a fixture in the entertainment industry. Everyone, from Aretha to Paula Abdul to Madonna to Eric Clapton, got the Babyface treatment. Although "Tender Lover" is not the singer's debut (that would be "Lovers"), it's the first solo record released since he made it big as a producer. With hired hands LA Reid and Daryl Simmons on board, "Tender Lover" is one of the essential r&b records to own. There are no samples. No guest rappers. Just an album full of songs devoted to the topic Face knows best: love. Uptempo numbers "It's No Crime," "My Kind of Girl," and "Lets Be Romantic" bring to mind an innocent era that's apparently all but forgotten, while the second half of the disc are silky-smooth ballads such as "Given a Chance," and, of course, the killer jam "Whip Appeal." If I had to pick any bad songs off this album, I'd be at a loss, for "Tender Lover" remains consistent and filler-free. It's a great showcase of his talents as both a singer and songwriter. His style may be a bit old fashioned, but all things considered, that ain't necessarily a bad thing.

Tender Lover has to be one of Babyface's best albums. He smartly put the dance numbers first then the gliding, smooth ballads on the second half. Tender Lover, My Kinda Girl, and It's No Crime are strong, but they're no contest to my favorite one, Can't Stop My Heart, which has to be one of the funkiest grooves of his solo stuff! The rumbling keyboards, the booming bass, the police siren sound effects similar to It's No Crime, its rapid 100-miles per hour rhythm--it's such a remarkable song for its 4 1/2 minutes! Babyface is a master at those ballads on gorgeous numbers like Soon as I Get Home, the dramatic bridges on Whip Appeal, Given A Chance, and the emotionally sung Where Will You Go. This fellow had produced between 20 to 40 songs during this period with LA Reid, of which these songs had been a part. It was really the buildup for more future hits from him. This is such a well made R&B album with its mainstream pop leanings in some places. And Babyface sounded smooth and suave vocally on all the songs.

If Babyface's first album and his chart-topping single with the Deele, "Two Occasions," introduced us to him, then "Tender Lover," his sophomore album, took him to another level. As one-half of the production duo L.A. & Babyface, he garnered such hits as "It's No Crime," a song with a catchy beat. He then hit even bigger with the title track, which featured Bobby Brown rapping in the video version. However, Face's stamp soon became his romantic ballads, such as the classic "Whip Appeal," which is most likely one every woman will fall for. "My Kinda Girl" is a nice mid-tempo selection for the ladies as well. Babyface easily convinces us that he can make it work both in the studio and on stage...

I had to only give the cd 4 stars because I distinctly recall only basically playing the B-side of the then tape. I loved "Its No Crime", it got lots of rotation on BET's Video Soul, the mecca for R & B at the time. (Go Donnie Simpson!) The dance cuts are 'nice' (Let's Be Romantic, My Kinda Girl, Tender Lover) but the moneyshot is on the Ballads. All of them. "Whip Appeal" got all the credit for being a popular slow jam (which by the way is co-wrote by Pebbles, further insighting unfounded rumors of their 'affair') It worked out just fine, LA got to marry Pebbles and Face ended up marrying someone who looked like her evil twin. "Sunshine" my favorite song by Face, is very underratted, its the most sincere love song on the album IMO. The lyrics still hold up and make you long for meeting that special someone to fantasize about making babies with, and marrying. And is there a woman in 1989' who didn't think every man should make "Soon As I get Home" their Mantra??? BabyFace said on his 1st Arsenio Hall appearance "I just like to give the ladies what they wanna hear", Oh yeah you did. He needs to return to what made him a/famous b/different c/quality over the rest> ROMANCE, NOT JIVE-TALKING FOOLISH MASOCHINISTIC MUSIC.

Babyface is a true balladeer. All of his songs clearly exemplifies that he is a true lover. I love the way he captures emotions, and the way that he writes. His voice is also soothing too. Two of my favorite songs on this album are Given A Chance, and Where Will You Go. I will forever be a lifelong Babyface fan.