Part 6 - The Man With the release of his fourth solo album G, Gerald had come full circle. His artistry was at its fullest. His grasp of life was at its strongest. He had mastered the creative tools necessary to capture his perceptions. The stories on his lips were weighty so he dropped them onto wax. "She Done Been" shouts out to the average black woman. Gerald wants her to know that someone out there recognizes her plight. The voice never lies. Gerald's contains too much truth. The protagonist in his song is trampled by her own desires. She wants a man, and gets one. He proceeds to cheat, beat, lie, and leech his way into her heart. The only way to stop wanting him is to stop her heart from beating. Life goes on. The whine of melancholy violins heightens the drama as Gerald's heroine is trapped, but fails to see. She's tired, but keeps on moving. She's hurt, but keeps on dancing. The beat goes on. Gerald's crying for her, but she doesn't hear him. She's too busy hearing the front door slam her man's hello. Gerald's calling for her, but she doesn't know it. She's too busy answering to bitch and ho. Gerald's looking for her, but she's not around. She's caught up in the things she's been. Preacher-teacher-mother-father-daughter-fighter-banker-counselor-maid. She can't find a man who done been half the things she done been. On "Heart Don't", Gerald turns the magnifying glass inward and doesn't shrink from what he finds. Essentially, the song is about trust--the self-trust one must have before it can be placed in another. Gerald's got issues with trust. Repeated encounters with an inner compass that steers him wrong has made him wary of his own judgment. He's skeptical of his own feelings. But, a man who encounters sexy beasts that feed on men for their survival must be. Jezebels and gold diggers lie in wait for men who decide with their eyes, ears, and brain, anything but their hearts. These lovely liars are afraid of hearts; they know that hearts are never wrong. Men who follow their hearts will see straight through to theirs, steadily pumping for cash. These women prey on men whose hearts don't tell them that they're wrong. From the slinky blues and gospel tones of the opening riffs, we hear it coming."Misery", and it loves company. Our interest peaks. Gerald's voice enters, teasing us with the promise of what is to come. Gerald delivers a dramatic tale of betrayal at the hands of his best friend. In this saga, a friend in need becomes a friend who bleeds, after Gerald opens his home to a man who slyly pursues his woman. Gerald sings from deep in his gut, tapping into the muddy waters at the bottom of his soul. He's hit upon the dank and dirty waters, the bluesy waters that once spouted the old Negro spirituals. Joined by a choir of whaling guitars and hollerin' horns, Gerald testifies with guttural groans and moans about right and wrong, friends and enemies, happiness and envy. His pain seems to be physical at times; rage, disappointment, and scorn have beaten him into oblivion. In this state, Gerald's unpredictable. His voice is like a loaded gun, ready to do some serious damage. His friend better get to steppin' before Gerald puts him out of his misery. The entire album represents an artist at the peak of his game. Gerald's casual control over the elements that make good music means he will never fail. He will always have a platform from which to create; he'll always have listeners. To have reached this point in a creative career is a definite achievement, beyond the measurements of records and charts. It's a personal achievement, one that can never be taken away. When the new Millennium broke like day, Gerald became the master of his musical universe. The creative child within became the man. But, now the clock has been reset. The journey re-begins. Gerald's World, his shocking new solo album, debuts in September, and the first single "Made To Love You" is available now. The wrenching new song reminds us why we were made to love Gerald. The agape love he expresses for his destined mate erupts from him. We feel it brushing across our skin sending shivers. We press repeat...