Possessing one of the most butter-smooth voices in contemporary R&B, Jaheim returns with his first album for Atlantic. The soulful crooner adopts a more mature, introspective stance, softening the edges of the "thug R&B" tag inspired by his 2001 debut. Among the best songs is "Never," an emotional ballad about commitment that is climbing Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. While slow jams remain Jaheim's forte, he infuses more midtempo flavor here. He trades off nicely with Keyshia Cole on "I've Changed" before serving up the moving autobiographical cut "Back Together Again." Two quibbles: Album opener "Voice of R&B" is a posturing track better left on the editing floor. And does a classic, Bobby Womack's "If You Think You're Lonely Now," really need to be updated ("Lonely") with new lyrics? As a formidable heir to such forebears as Luther Vandross and Barry White, Jaheim doesn't need to travel that route. —Gail Mitchell