Brian McKnight has a resume of guest credits on other artists' albums a mile long. Needless to say, for his sixth album, U Turn, he had no trouble calling in favors, enlisting Nelly, Fabolous, Tyrese, Carl Thomas and Kirk Franklin to add vocals.

U Turn, due March 25th, is McKnight's follow-up to 2001's Superhero. That album was certified gold, but it lacked a resilient hit like the title track of 1999's Back at One, which pushed that album to triple platinum status. McKnight will try to re-catch that lightening with "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda," U Turn's first single, which is now finding its way onto the adult contemporary and R&B charts.

The album also finds McKnight taking a more eclectic approach, reflected in the album's guests. Nelly and Fabolous inject some hip-hop into "All Night Long" and the title track, respectively. Franklin brings some gospel to "One of the One's Who Did," and Tyrese, Thomas, Tank and Joe take verses in "Good Enough."

McKnight is up for a 2003 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal for "All the Way," his collaboration with saxophonist Kenny G. The nomination is McKnight's thirteenth.

ANDREW DANSBY
(February 21, 2003)