Figurine

Figurine is considerably different from and more refined than Wayne Snow's 2017 release Freedom TV. Whereas the earlier album from the Berlin-based Nigerian singer/songwriter swung from lopsided funk to bristly house, and at points resembled a cross between Theo Parrish-style beatdowns and something out of the Los Angeles beat scene, this set -- produced by Snow with a crew of old and new associates that includes Nu Guinea and most notably Le Crayon -- largely deals in atmospheric progressive R&B. There might be a little D'Angelo and some Miguel to it, and a couple of the knottier fusion polyrhythms owe a bit to Flying Lotus and Thundercat, but Snow truly distinguishes himself here. The clearest evidence is supplied with "Seventy," a diaphanous ballad on which Snow flashes his aching if composed falsetto to lingering effect. Massaging low end courses through the more active songs. Many of them integrate subtle funk elements, while "Nina," funkiest of all, is delightful dream-pop boogie -- as if Shalamar were reshaped gently by A.R. Kane. Apart from an outward-looking moment filled with dread, Figurine is filled with poetical imagery regarding romance that leaves much to the imagination. There's just enough space to wander around and get lost. ~ Andy Kellman