R&B romeo Bobby Valentino finds himself in the doghouse with the release of his sophomore offering, ''Special Occasion.'' Clearly trying to convince some mystery hottie to take him back after too many wild nights out with the boys, its apparent throughout the album that the playboy who once sang of cuties with round booties (in his 2005 smash ''Slow Down'') might be on the verge of settling down.

To that point, Valentino gets down on his knees for the album's first single ''Turn the Page.'' Employing a soaring falsetto and sincere lines like ''I'll give you my heart to make it better,'' he's obviously learned from the best beggars in the game - Keith Sweat and Jodeci - to the delight of female fans.

The Atlanta crooner is at his best on the Rodney Jerkins-produced ''If I Had My Way, with his wistful cries and soulful runs. But if he has indeed turned in his player card, that doesn't mean he's cutting out the club. His futuristic, Timbaland-supported single ''Anonymous'' quickens the pulse while the synthesizer-heavy ''Rearview Mirror'' featuring Ludacris explores a more mellow, lounge-like vibe.

CHECK THIS OUT: Valentino picks up some extra cool points for his must-have rendition of Babyface's classic ''Soon As I Come Home.''

By TOMIKA ANDERSON For The Associated Press

-Bobby Valentino Pictures

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