Eric Benet

Eric Benet is most notorious, or perhaps infamous, for cheating on his former wife, superstar Halle Berry. Benet subsequently and very publicly sought help for his sex addiction in the wake of the scandal, but his marriage to Berry crumbled in front of the gawking world. Even though that gossip is ancient history by Hollywood's short-term memory standards, Benet erases those unpleasant memories with the release of Love & Life, a romantic, adult contemporary R&B record that isn't shy about using sex as its predominant subject matter. Benet's striking good looks and dreamy voice will have 30-something divorcees throwing their panties on stage when he performs. It's all because Benet and his songs exude that much sex appeal. He switches back and forth between a croon and a falsetto over the course of the album, and his mission is singular. Benet is here to weaken the knees of women who indulge in his sultry music.

"Love Patience & Time" kicks off the album and is arguably the best of the bunch, with its jazzy edge and layered harmony. While "The Hunger," replete with handclaps, is an ode to amorous affection. "Chocolate Legs"–and we don't blame you for stifling your laughter at the silly, cheesy title—is actually a tender number about nuzzling with your loved one after a long and hard (!) day at the office. "Don't Let Go" is the perfect background music for popping a champagne top to, while the shimmery "You're the Only One" reveals the most sensitive side of Benet. The album is certainly strong enough to have the gossip mongers asking, "Halle who?"

There's something to be said for redemption, and Benet finds his own musical second chance with Love & Life. Head to the cabin, drag out the bearskin rug and feast on some strawberries with your loved one and the music of Eric Benet.

— Amy Sciarretto
10.09.08

Rebounding from the mess of his divorce from Halle Berry -- and the ensuing Hurricane of an album -- Eric Benet returns to what he does best on Love & Life: making music for love-making. Slow and sultry and steeped in Stevie, Marvin, Luther, and especially Quincy Jones-produced Michael Jackson and Prince's forays into quiet storm, Love & Life is a consolidation of Benet's strengths as a seduction artist. Arriving after the turgid turmoil of Hurricane, this is frankly a relief, as Benet demonstrates a lighter touch throughout Love & Life, shedding any suggestion of personal revelation in favor of courting clichés without blushing. For some artists, this might sound like a retreat, but Benet delivers this slinky romantic music with conviction, as if he doesn't quite realize that what he's singing is essentially boudoir boilerplate. Such quiet determination turns Love & Life into effective mood music -- something that might fall apart under close listening, but it was never intended for such scrutiny anyway. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide