Anytime

AMG Review of Anytime

Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music Guide

On his third album, Anytime, Brian McKnight continues with the mellow, romantic urban R&B that has become his trademark, but there's a new twist. Most of the album consists of songs he has written and produced, but "You Should Be Mine," the first single pulled from Anytime, is produced by Puff Daddy and features a ap by Mase. On paper, the pairing seems a little odd, but it works surprisingly well, as does "Hold Me," which was co-written by Mary J. Blige and features Trackmasterz. McKnight hasn't exhausted its possibilities yet -- Anytime is as strong as its predecessor -- but "You Should Be Mine" and "Hold Me" suggest that he may be better off pursuing a new, hip-hop-influenced direction.