In recent years, ’90s R&B singer Ginuwine’s star had begun to dim. But then the Washington-based performer hooked up with a St. Louis record label and turned it all around.

His Notify Records debut, “A Man’s Thoughts,” distributed through Warner Bros. and recorded locally, brought him back to the scene — and to the Ambassador stage Thursday night.

The former heartthrob gave a slickly entertaining performance that showed he’s still got it. Ginuwine hasn’t always had the strongest instrument, but he has always tried hard, taken it seriously and made the most of it.

After a DJ medley of hits such as “Number One Fan” and “None of Your Business,” Ginuwine bounced onstage to the smooth “Same Ol’ G.” And he was that same ol’ G on hits such as “So Anxious,” “Hell Yeah” and “Stingy.”

A crew of male dancers ably helped fill out new hits “Last Chance” and “Trouble.”

Ginuwine wrapped with an impromptu tribute to Michael Jackson, one of his huge influences.

Rather than sing a Jackson song, Ginuwine merely walked back and forth and hyped up the crowd while the DJ played “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” and “The Way You Make Me Feel.”

But Ginuwine did pull out some great dance moves during “Billie Jean,” and the Jackson tribute bled into Ginuwine’s debut hit, “Pony.”

Opening the show was singer Tank, who joined Ginuwine late in his set for the “Please Don’t Go” remix recorded by Tank, Ginuwine and Tyrese.

Tank, an old-fashioned powerhouse of a singer, belted out songs such as “Maybe I Deserve,” “Heartbreaker,” “My Body” and the original version of “Please Don’t Go,” as well as songs he’d written for others, such as Marques Houston’s “Naked” and Pleasure P’s “Under.”

*Ginuwine returns with a more mature sound on his sixth album A Man’s Thoughts.

It would seem that he is still thinking about the ladies if the lyrics are anything to go by, although he states that he no longer sings about ‘the latest VIP club or expensive drink.’

Indeed he shouts out Barack!

“I’ve matured a lot since I was last on the scene. I want to take it back to the blueprint that Marvin Gaye and soul legends designed.’ Ginuwine says. “This is a new beginning for me.”

At 34, after a four-year hiatus, this father and husband to rapper Solé, who has seen personal tragedy such as bereavement, has become more responsible and the stance extends to his music. Not quite political, his daughters may have provided some inspiration for the lyrics in his interlude about just what a man’s thoughts are. If he can provide the answers, it will have a lot of girls hooked, but can he? Yes he can, not only his thoughts, but also those of guys who are equally struggling to be ‘a better person.’

Ginuwine has declared that he no longer does back flips on stage, he was quite the mover, demonstrating just how to ride his infamous Pony in his live shows. So has all the raunchiness disappeared?

This album is certainly laid back and ballad driven. This occasional actor has the part of male R&B crooner locked down. But don’t despair; there is a silver lining in that the dream team is back. The album sees Ginuwine reunited with Timbaland and Missy, whom he met on a Jodeci video set in 1996, on the funky Get Involved, which injects the right amount of up-tempo, but which Missy almost steals the shine on. Brandy is another notable appearance on Bridge for Love.

The Brian Michael Cox produced, and Johnta Austin penned, One Time For Love is a silky hit. And newcomer Oak’s beat on Orchestra is infectious. The catchy Lying To Me cleverly spins out the dramas of relationships. But there is no proof to fuel the rumours of infidelity!

PR aside, the laid back mood of the album definitely sets the tone for romance. Touch Me is a slow jam that sets the perfect pace for chillaxing. Trouble ft. Bun B (a double A side with Last Chance) is another standout track where Ginuwine sounds as youthful as any of his contemporaries.

Ginuwine was always more than (a very pretty) face. Not only can he move; but his vocals are smooth. His dulcet tones set slow jams alight. Memorable in the R&B fraternity for his appearance in Aaliyah’s One in a Million video, Ginuwine’s latest album proves that with an award-winning career thirteen years standing, he continues to stand out in the crowd.

A Man’s Thoughts is out in the UK now on Notifi/Warner Records

We added the pictures of G and Tonya at the soul train awards.

[5x] Ginuwine at the soul train awards