The Man Inside

Description

The Man Inside is the eighth studio album by the American R&B/soul singer and songwriter Jon Gibson, released on B-Rite Music in 1999, manufactured and distributed in the US by Universal Music & Video Distribution. The album was produced by Jon Gibson for Reachers Music, Armando Colon for Launchcode, Demarie Sheki (aka Meech For On 1 Music), Rob Mullins for RME Group, Tommy Sims for The Positive Movement, and Big Yam & Vinno for Grand Jury Productions, Inc.

After the release of Love Education in 1995, Gibson then got married, had children, and took time off from his music again. Upon returning, he searched for a record contract for two years, finally landing with gospel record label B-Rite Music in 1999 for his The Man Inside record, a consciously urban-sounding album made with producer Tommy Sims. But soon after the launch and a great review in Billboard Magazine, Gospelcentric and B-Rite Music would lose their deal with Interscope as the company was sold so the album’s anticipated success was short-lived.

The artist who helped further R&B influences in Christian music in the 1980s now breaks five years of silence with ‘The Man Inside’, a collection of songs as thoughtful as they are delightful.

Jon Gibson is a soulful pop singer. He possesses a buttery tenor voice with a touch of Stevie Wonder sass amidst a naturally sweet tone. On ‘The Man Inside’, these qualities imbue an emotional fullness to the 12 slow- to mid-tempo tunes that challenge and encourage listeners.

As is his songwriting penchant, Gibson deals squarely with people’s actions and consequences in relationships. This comes to bear on «Who Are You Fooling?», a song recalling socially-conscious gospel crossover, like that of The Staple Singers. He doesn’t shy from intimacy, either, as on «Your Love Is Like That», a serenade filled with effusive joy.

On the songs «There for You» and «Best in Me», Gibson reassures the listener of God’s present grace. Yet, Gibson conveys sufficient darkness on the imploring title track and again on «Layin’ in the Street» to let listeners know that he’s not just about prettiness and light. Still, both sides meet on «God Will Find Ya», thematically fitting for this album and a remake from his earlier album ‘Body & Soul‘ (1989).

If one serious quibble could be leveled at ‘The Man Inside’, it’s that listeners may perceive a bit of sonic sameness about the album. While a problem for some, others will chalk it up to producer Gibson’s deft touch to make timeless, memorable music appealing to adult R&B and pop crowds at once. [Jamie Lee Rake, CCM, January 2000]

CD tracklist:

01. The Man Inside
02. Get It Together
03. The Best In Me
04. Interlude: The Prayer
05. Don’t Ever
06. Fly With The Wind
07. There For You
08. God Will Find Ya
09. Layin’ In The Street
10. Interlude: Coming Home
11. Your Love Is Like That
12. Interlude: The Call
13. Gone With You
14. Who Are You Fooling?
15. Let It Be Done (feat. Rob Mullins)