Vikter Duplaix is one of those artists who is responsible for some of your favorite songs, but you’d never know unless you check the liner notes. Badu, Musiq, Earth Wind & Fire, Jaguar Wright – he’s lent his talent to them all. His own efforts, however, usually escape much fanfare. Bold & Beautiful (released late last year) is the second full-length LP from the singer-songwriter-producer-DJ and one you’d do well to seek out. In an industry of charlatans – mere voices – while the true talent lies in the direction of the producer, Duplaix has it all. Though he may lack a bit in vocal depth, he creates music on another level. It’s like Sweetback to Sade’s vocals, except Duplaix is doing both.

The first track, “Stimulation”, featuring Ms. Saigon (French rapper) is an aptly titled mood-setter that lets you know exactly where Vikter’s trying to take you. The subtle vocals have a Montell Jordan tone and ambition. Duplaix is smooth (this man can obviously sing) but he stays in his lane. This acknowledgement of his limitations is accompanied with cockiness – he knows he’s sexy. “Make A Baby” comes in with the pulsating rhythm, reminiscent of a Maxwell track (“Drowndeep: Hula”). In fact, a couple of tracks seem straight out of a page from Embrya. “I See The Sun” borders on inspirational, introduced by a choir of male voices. For a minute I thought Kirk Franklin was going to start talking/rapping. This track delivers vocals that show another dimension, a little grittier, as the tempo picks up, perhaps saving us when we could’ve possibly drowned in a sea of the appropriately termed “baby-making music”. The final 2 tracks of the 12-song project demonstrate his production skills. “Pure” is soulful, a song with Bridge overtones. On “Temple of Thoughts”, Duplaix gets funky on the keys, keeping a bouncy tempo while the percussion is on point.

Duplaix often makes mention of his travels. It’s obvious that Bold & Beautiful’s sound was influenced by various musical cultures. Duplaix travels the world performing, DJing, and he absorbs the sights and sounds. When explaining the title for Bold & Beautiful he said he wanted to make music that had a “soothing, peaceful sound and energy but say things that were somewhat pointed.” He added, “I wanna bring people together… an experience of people sitting down and talking and sharing some great energy, some good food, some kisses, some hugs… be inspired and enjoy every moment of the experience of listening to the sound of it.” Duplaix has done just that. Bold & Beautiful can be the backdrop or the focal point of conversation, an album you can play from start to finish. This should be playing the next time you entertain.