Personnel: Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston, Debra Winans (vocals); Stylz, Aquil Davidson (rap vocals); Babyface, Teddy Riley (various instruments, background vocals); L.A Reid (various instruments); Derek "DOA" Allen (guitar, drums, background vocals); Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar); Danny Lamelle (saxophone); "Big" Dave Repace (keyboards, background vocals); Dennis Austin (keyboards, drums); Cedric Caldwell, Robbie Buchanan (keyboards); Nathan East (bass); Ricky Lawson (drums, percussion); Nate Hughes (percussion); Donald Parks, Huston Singletary (programming); De Rock, Emanuek Officer, Chauncey Hannibal, Levon Little, Joseph Stonestreet, Marsha McClurkin, Mary Brown, Omar Chandler, Bernard Belle, Chante Moore, Ricky Bell, Robert Gonzales, Trina Broussard, Sophia Bender, BeBe Winans, CeCe Winans, Angie Winans (background vocals).

Producers include: Teddy Riley, L.A. Reid, Babyface, Daryl Simmons, Demetrius Shipp.

Engineers include: Jim "Z" Zumpano, John Rogers, Jean-Marie Horvat.

Bobby Brown's commercial star was already fading by 1992, the year BOBBY, his fourth album, was released. Brown's 1988 smash DON'T BE CRUEL had made his name synonymous with new jack swing, a hybrid of mainstream soul and hip-hop production that transformed the face of contemporary R&B.

While BOBBY isn't as consistent as DON'T BE CRUEL, it has its share of winners. The lead-off track, "Humpin' Around," has the sort of slick, smooth funk groove that provides the perfect complement to Brown's sensual tenor. The same is true of the thumping "Two Can Play That Game," while "Lovin' You Down" has Brown in his best seductive ballad mode. The album suffers a bit from filler, but the strong tracks make it a worthwhile investment, especially for Brown fans and enthusiasts of the genre.

Q (10/92, p.79) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "..the beat never stops as Brown moves between textured soul harmonies and in-your-face warnings that he's back...irresistible combinations of hooks, beats and attitude...a triumphant comeback.." Stereo Review (2/93, pp. 119-120) - Performance: Roguishly romantic / Recording: Very good - "...a talented singer with a touch of Stevie Wonder to his voice...he can shift nimbly from the sung lyrics to the cadences of rap, remaining totally convincing at all times..."