If I could only buy two albums this year it would be this one and Jeremy Riddle’s “Full Attention.” R&B fans should be running out right now to buy “Lay It Down.” I’m serious. Right now. Stop reading. Put on clothes. Drive to the store. Don’t stop for coffee.

I have a greater jones for the music of Rev. Green than you typically find in a white American male. I’m okay with that. This is the kind of music I wish I could write for and sing to my wife. These are songs of devotion from a man that understands that God created sex and meant it as an act of worship that you share with your spouse.

Amazon has a great behind the scenes video from the producer’s perspective. Good stuff. Very much worth watching.

Pros:

• Soul
• Soul
• Soul

Cons:

• Are you kidding me?

Comments:

1. “Lay It Down” track by track. There’s no denying that only Al Green sounds like Al Green. Thanks for the backing vocals, Anthony Hamilton.
2. “Just For Me” - Note to Usher…this is how you write a song to the woman you love.
3. “You’ve Got the Love I Need” and I love to sing about it with Anthony Hamilton.
4. “No One Like You” and I’m in awe of you. If he really talks like this to his wife, he’s making the rest of us look bad. I’m heading out to buy Romance For Dummies tomorrow.
5. “What More Do You Want From Me” because I’ll give you everything. Yessiree.
6. “Take Your Time” to enjoy falling in love with me. Corinne Bailey Rae brings the sweetness.
7. “Too Much” passion for one man? Obviously sharing it with one woman.
8. “Stay With Me (By The Sea)” John Legend brings the backing vocals.
9. You’re “All I Need” baby. We’ll leave that cheatin’ stuff to Usher.
10. “I’m Wild About You” heart, mind and soul.
11. “Standing In The Rain” just waiting for it to stop.  Romantic sentiment hidden in there somewhere. Okay, I’ll give him that one.

Have you given it a listen yet?

Pros:

• This man can sing with the best of ‘em.
• Some of the beats are DDR-ready.

Cons:

• I won’t be working any of the songs into the praise and worship set list. If you take out the references to sex, you’re not left with much.
• Some of the beats are DDR-ready.

Comments:

• “Intro” must be from his audition for that Broadway play.
• “Love In This Club” will give you some kind of infection.
• “This Ain’t Sex” Okay, maybe it is.
• “Trading Places” might be funny if Usher is the one that ends up pregnant this time.
• “Moving Mountains” might be easier for Usher than writing an album about being faithful to only one woman.
• “What’s Your Name” makes me want to reach for my Eurythmics album and rock “Sweet Dreams”
• “Something Special” reminded me that I should have bought Al Green’s new album too. DJ’s, add this one to your wedding reception playlist.
• “Love You Gently” contains very appropriate shout outs to Al and Marvin.
• The “Best Thing” is Jay Z recognizing that (1) he can’t retire and (2) nobody wants him to.
• “Before I Met You” I though monogamy was a Milton Bradley board game.
• “His Mistakes” show up on the cover of People and Entertainment Weekly. Tough life.
• “Appetite” for an Eastern vibe?
• “What’s A Man To Do” if he’s still a fan of Big Love? Two words: Lorena Bobbitt.
• “Lifetime” of being unable to make up his mind. Usher, are you bipolar on the faithfulness issue?
• “Love In This Club, Part II” gives further evidence that “Lil Usher” is still doing the thinking. Brooke says Lil Wayne sounds like a muppet.
• “Here I Stand” finding it very hard to believe that any woman would trust Usher. Listen to the whole album, girl. He’s cheatin’ on you.
• “Will Work for Love” as long as you don’t mind me working it with everybody else, too. Hey, there’s enough Usher to go around, baby.

Have you given it a listen yet?