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Pharrell Williams, one half the prolific Neptunes production team, may have missed an opportunity to really cash in on the momentum of his hit collaborations with Gwen Stefani on "Hollaback Girl" from her debut, Love Angel Music Baby, and "Can I Have It Like That." Coming nearly a year after the buzz of those hits has cooled, In My Mind shows Williams can still produce great '80s-synth driven, falsetto-heavy R&B and charming, if awkwardly delivered, hip-hop flows. Partnered with Kanye West on the breezy "Number One," Pharrell showers a special boo with earnest come-ons. It's Williams's most reliable shtick and main preoccupation: playing the well-funded, sensitive ladies man. "I'm part Howard Hughes, part horny, part holy," he raps on the up-tempo "How Does It Feel?" Throughout the disc, there's no shortage of Williams referencing his Range Rovers, frequent exotic vacations, and blinged-out watches. "I know I got jewels like I'm the pharaoh of the ghetto," he boasts over the jangly rhythms of "Raspy Sh**." But Williams finds his groove as the playboy with a heart, especially in contrast to his big-rolling partners, including Snoop Dogg ("That Girl"), Nelly ("Baby"), and Jay-Z ("Young Girl"). At times, his lyrics sound like they came straight from an R. Kelly manual. "Take it off now girl / I can help you slide them panties off," he sings over the slinky slow jam "Take It Off." But, salacious leanings notwithstanding, the track is an example of Williams's ultimate strength: balancing frothy, pop sensibility and lush orchestration, Pharrell has enough production smarts and offbeat personality to make In My Mind well worth the wait. Condition:NEW. Marked upc
TRACK LISTINGS
A
1. Can I Have It Like That
2. How Does It Feel?
3. Raspy Shit
B
1. Best Friend
2. You Can Do It Too
3. Keep It Playa
C
1. That Girl
2. Angel
3. Young Girl/I Really Like You
4. Take It Off (Dim the Lights)
D
1. Stay with Me
2. Baby
3. Our Father
4. Number One
5. Show You How to Hustle
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