The name Chris Rob should be familiar to you. I promised you’d hear his name again in this space after I saw him backing Laura Izibor on vocals and keys and then getting my hands on his EP, The Official Bootleg of Chris Rob Vol 2. It has been in constant rotation every since. The singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist is definitely one to watch.

His musical resume includes collaborative efforts with some of the greats in the industry. He has written, produced and performed with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Prince, Jill Scott, The Roots, Alice Keys, Common, Leon Ware, John Legend, Kanye West, Deborah Cox, DJ Spinna, and DJ Ian Friday. As you know, he is currently touring with Laura Izibor and from what I saw, there is no question that his first love is live performance.

The New Yorker by way of Chicago released his first EP, The Official Bootleg of Chris Rob Vol 1 back in 2003. Meshell Ndegeocello says it was all she listened to for a month. I need to get my hands on that!

On Vol 2, you’ll find a mix of soulful house, uptempo tracks, funk,  and jazzy soul. Chris is a genre-defying artist and it never sounds like he’s trying on different sounds to see what fits.

Check out a few of my favorite tracks from Vol 2.

Ghetto People was written and produced with DJ Ian Friday. You should already know this joint has been on repeat.

Take Time

Creepin (Into My Mind)

Codeword

His most recent projects include working with Leon Ware on his album 2008 release, Moon Ride. You need this album in your life. Chris produced the track “Smoovin.”

His full album, Mental Note, is scheduled to be released in 2009.

To learn more about Chris Rob, visit his official website or his Myspace.