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.”

Comments (1) »

b - January 17, 2010 @ 10:52 am

G wine

My boy

The cooliest since LL but u f’ed up

u opened the door that took your spot

Trey sonz copied you sound and people stepped to it, hard

got 2 keep coming. Proof, look at breakout hit “last chance”

complete copy of your sound (music wise) because can not copied your style/game

people migrated to hisTrey’s music for missing your game but not taking away from Trey because he is “tight”

get rid of this boring old man style/image and come back like GINUWINE!

one!

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