The most introspective cat since Maxwell is back and as under the radar as ever. With "On The Jungle Floor", the second helping of the artist's ever expanding landscape, we find his lyrics and musical tastes consistently ambitious. Still quirky and distinctive, Van Hunt continues to pave his own road, passed the likes of the comparable Terence Trent D'Arby and the more polished voice of Eric Benet.

He remains endearing and reflective, as shown in jewels like "The Night Is Young", a thoughtful ode into how we evolve (hopefully) over the years.
Throughout the album, Van Hunt continues his dominance over mastering contemporary melancholy in R&B with that and other offerings like "Mean Sleep."
Like Curtis Mayfield, his lines reach beyond simple subject matter or basic formats of rhyme as shown in the breezy "Thrill of this Love."

The lyrics of "Character" stylishly question your soul's resilience while the groove proves it is designed for cruising through streets in the night, when the manholes spew steam and people look you in the eye only in passing. "Suspicion" (She Knows Me Too Well) and "Being A Girl" showcases Van Hunt's undeniable flair for understanding facets of the female psyche.

Van Hunt also goes deeper with the 80's rock vibe of the debut album. Reminiscent of Prince's "Dirty Mind" phase, "The End Of A Slow Dance" will make you want to wear a skinny leather tie and pull your hair over one side of your face until it blinds you in one eye. "Ride, Ride, Ride" will keep you in that vein, with a lil' late sixties, Jimmy Hendrix feel circa the Band of Gypsies period.

The understated reception to Van Hunt's sophomore offering is as wrong as XM radio's taking Channel 61's The Flow off the mainline. Late Secretary of State
John W. Foster stated that "one of the strongest characteristics of genius is the power of lighting its own fire." It appears Van Hunt's authentic offerings are powered by a sense of dogged internal artistic integrity. This is fortunate, because as a busted toilet proves, you can't keep real **** down for long.