Kenny and Chante - Uncovered/Covered

In addition to being husband and wife, Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore have something else in common.  Each is an artist who arrived with a bang and yet never reached the consistent heights as solo artists that his/her substantial individual talents warranted.  And while their first album of duets, the rather safe Things That Lovers Do, did well on the charts, it seemed a further indication that they would never reach the creative pinnacle that many expected when they first hit the scene.

So it is a very pleasant surprise that, after nearly a year's delay, Kenny and Chante have released one of the most consistently enjoyable discs of 2006, Uncovered/Covered.  The double disc is one-half R&B and one-half Gospel and 100% satisfying.  Working on the R&B side (Uncovered) with hot producers Brian Michael Cox, Carvin Haggins and Ivan Barias as well as underrated newcomers Eric Roberson and H2O, Kenny and Chante have created a wonderful blend of classic and contemporary, combining fantastic interpretations of LTD's "Love Ballad" and Sade's "No Ordinary Love" with solid, modern adult R&B cuts such as the infectious first single "Figure It Out," "Vocal Booth" and the stepper's anthem "Tonight."

Covered is different but just as strong, as the duo teams with producer extraordinaire Fred Hammond, who both provides a legitimate Gospel backdrop and also himself stretches out on more adult contemporary fare as the beautiful "Make Me Like the Moon."

After a half decade of somewhat disappointing releases (individually and together), on Uncovered/Covered Kenny and Chante have returned with a real triumph -- a disc that captures their intelligent, thoughtful thesis of love and marriage and combines it with a level of sincere spirituality, all wrapped in a beautiful, creative musical tapestry.  In short, it is flat out one of the best adult soul albums you'll hear this year.  Very highly recommended.

by Chris Rizik