John Legend - Love in the Future [CD]

From start to finish, Love in the Future pulsates with a stripped-down urgency that perfectly showcases Legend's skills as a musician, lyricist and vocalist. The supple tenor sets the mood with an engaging cover of Bobby Caldwell's "Open Your Eyes," then sings about seizing the moment on the Q-Tip collaboration "Tomorrow." Legend conjures '70s Stevie Wonder with the synth-infused "Hold on Longer." Then the impending groom discourses on the subject of love with the penetrating "You and I" and "All of Me." Worthy enough to stand on its own as a full track is Legend's mesmerizing interstitial take on Anita Baker's "Angel" with newcomer Stacy Barthe.