The Truth

by Jason EliasIt was Aaron Hall's vocals that powered tracks like "My Fantasy" and "Jam" during his tenure as the lead singer of Guy. After Guy split in 1990, it was inevitable that Hall would go on to a solo career. Released in 1993, The Truth hit the shelves sounding dated in spots, due in part to the ever-changing style of early-'90s urban contemporary. Over the course of this debut solo album, Hall's use of the Gap Band's Charlie Wilson as a reference point does get tiring. More often than not, the production strength overshadows Hall's persona, which is barely there. Much to the dismay of many fans, Hall's 1991 big hit, "Don't Be Afraid," shows up here as a remix rather than the superior version released on the Juice soundtrack. That mistake makes this album less than it could have been. Truth be told, Hall's slick Romeo act was also a bust-out, as the top-notch weeper "I Miss You" has Hall giving the best performance here. "Don't Be Afraid (Sex You Down Some Mo' Version)," despite it's he-man subtitle, has Hall begging and calling himself "little ol' me." "Let's Make Love" steams it up successfully despite his showboating and breathy spoken intro. The last full track, "Until the End of Time," possesses a great melody and coasts on the good momentum of the better songs. Divorced from the new jack swing demands and crossover aims, The Truth is an enjoyable listen.