Marc Dorsey - Crave (1999)

Prior to releasing his debut album, Mark Dorsey sang on the soundtrack for three Spike Lee movies -- Clockers, Crooklyn and Get on the Bus. In each instance, he was required to deliver material with a strong '70s soul vibe, and that feeling runs through on his debut, Crave. Unlike many urban contemporary releases, Crave doesn't sacrifice soul for slickness, which makes it engaging even when the songwriting isn't always up to par. Dorsey carries the day with his sweet, soulful vocals, which echo past greats yet suggest that he's well on his way to developing his own style. There are moments that don't quite work, but that's largely due to uneven songwriting. Throughout it all, Dorsey shines.