Some Kinda...

For all the richness and depth within its production, Some Kinda… is most defined by Dwele's unassuming bearing. Even when he’s pulling off sophisticated musical arrangements—like the layered vocals that feature heavily in “Holla,” the opening cut—his ease and openness make complex works seem like they were improvised on the spot. The music is relaxed and flowing, but that doesn’t mean it’s lightweight listening. There's something murky and brooding in “Lay It Down” and “Some Kinda,” even as the musical content of those songs enters the listener’s ear like warm liquid. “I Think I Love U” is catchy and seductive without being overbearing. Those are the kind of difficult tricks that Dwele can pull off effortlessly. Though Some Kinda… is deeply infused with Dwele’s dual affinities for both jazz and hip-hop, the music never panders to either idiom. Instead, it incorporates the atmospheric integrity of each style in an almost invisible way—like food infused with a spice you never see.