Since 2001, he has gone by simply 'Musiq', he dropped the 'Soulchild' from his moniker. Which, of course, is why it feels like a worthy heir. Musiq Soulchild (born Taalib Johnson on Septemin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), is an American, neo soul and R&B artist, and was one of the most popular artists on the Def Jam/Def Soul label. Musiq doesn't hide his love for classic soul - he's seen on the back cover digging through crates of vinyl, surrounded by eight-tracks - but the great thing about what he pulls off on Juslisen is that this love is absorbed, ingrained in the very music, so while it's reminiscent of Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye at times, it never feels like a forced attempt to follow in their footsteps. Then, he and his producers know how to deliver a sound that at once hearkens back to classic '70s soul and feels lushly contemporary. First of all, he and his collaborators are first-class writers, sustaining interest not just through the singles, but through the album tracks.

And, to be sure, it is that, a wonderfully romantic mood album, but it's more than that because Musiq has other skills besides crooning and keeping a mood. EarthGang’s long-awaited sophomore effort Ghetto Gods seems to be drawing near, as the Atlanta duo just. He lays back on the groove but doesn't disappear into it - he deepens it and gives it character, making this more than a supremely seductive neo-soul record. EarthGang Announce Biodeghettable Tour and Release New Song Amen f/ Musiq Soulchild.

One of the most appealing things about Musiq is that he never oversells his songs, never indulges in hyperbolic screams or exaggerated grunts and moans. On his second album, Juslisen, Musiq - who dropped the '(Soulchild)' surname - delivers on the promise of his debut, turning in a slyly assured, smoothly sexy collection of neo-soul.

List of musiq soulchild songs