by Ed Hogan
Kashif's credits includes chart-topping hits by Whitney Houston and Evelyn Champagne King as well as his own solo hits. On Who Loves You? his debut album for U.K. label Expansion Records, the singer/songwriter/keyboardist/producer pretty much sticks to the urban comtemporary sound he helped create in the '80s; though the grooves are tighter, he's grown vocally and there's a definite jazz vibe throughout (Wes Montgomery-ish guitar fills are sprinkled on almost every track) that's also influenced by hip-hop. &Step Into My World,& a track from his 1989 LP Kashif, was embranced by the steppers. The instrumental &Brooklyn Dreams& seems tailor-made for stepping with its dusky vibe, solid, midtempo beat, floaty electric piano, jazzy guitar, and David Hart's harmonica fills à la Stevie Wonder. The same could be said for &Mingo Weya.& &Bed You Down& chugs along like Kool & the Gang's &Ladies Night.& Other standout tracks are &Good Ol' Days,& the blues-tinged &I Don't Give a Damn,& the ode for peace &Can We Just Get Along& (whose feel recalls Marvin Gaye's &What's Going On& at times), the lush and kickin' &It's Alright,& and &Rhythm of My Mind& (co-written and co-produced by Gary Taylor). It's good to hear that Kashif, who pioneered R&B-based all-synth music with King's &I'm in Love,& has found his place in the 21st century.