"Dre let me have a lot of leeway on Ventura. He was like, 'It seems like you got it.'" Anderson .Paak's musical tour around Los Angeles continues with Ventura, the singer's 4th studio album. Recorded around the same time as Oxnard, .Paak describes this one as the "prettier" of the two. Easy going & based on his signature vintage soul/r&b chops, the 11-tracker is punctuated by meaningful guest appearances from Smokey Robinson, Andre 3000, Nate Dogg, and more. .Paak sounds comfortable, his effortless falsetto gliding over warm chords & rhythmic flare, and his penchant for nostalgia is the perfect canvas for capturing the feeling the titular coastal city (where .Paak says he founds his "depth") conjures. Check out " Come Home," "Make It Better," "King James," "Jet Black," and "Reachin' 2 Much."

• black vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Aftermath 2019

reviewed by singing in japanese 07/19