Things That Lovers Do
With the release of this gorgeously produced album of duets from R&B; singers and real-life coupleKenny LattimoreandChante Moore, pure romance receives its ultimate soundtrack. Two things make the collection distinct: the pair's innovative choice of songs, and the album's sequence, which follows a narrative arc of flirting, dating, sex, love, marriage, honeymoon, and the aftermath. Beautiful but almost forgotten love songs get new life, notably "With You I'm Born Again"--famously recorded byBilly Prestonand Syreeta--andLionel Richie's "Still,"Keith Sweat's "Make It Last Forever," country singer-songwriterClint Black's "When I Said I Do," andAshford & Simpson's "You're All I Need to Get By" and "Is It Still Good to You." Lattimore and Moore's married status makes this material resonate. The intimacy underscoring the spare, elegant "Still" is palpable, and when the pair question their devotion in "Is It Still Good to You," there's no doubt they've been down that road for real. Lattimore and Moore can also sing; indeed, the two could make the Yellow Pages sound sensual. And if there's any doubt about the album's effectiveness as an aphrodisiac, consider the warning label on the back: "This project may cause pregnancy," it screams before coyly adding, "Well, we got pregnant just making this album, so proceed with caution!" Point taken.--Kim Hughes