R&B quartet 112 was at a crossroads when their fifth album, Pleasure & Pain, hit records stores in the spring of 2005. A year prior, they officially departed longtime label Bad Boy Records for Def Soul, and the group’s fourth album, Hot & Wet, had underperformed two years earlier.
For their fifth project, 112 collaborated with a new group of people, including Mario Winans, Jermaine Dupri, and Bryan Michael Cox, who each contributed once or twice. However, the group remained self-sufficient, with Daron Jones taking on much of the production responsibilities.
R&B music had begun to shift, and groups weren’t getting as much love in the industry. Undaunted, the group kept with the times and got a little nasty on the album’s first single, “U Already Know.” Written by the group members and up-and-coming hitmakers Sean Garrett and Focus, “U Already Know” was a pseudo-sequel to the group’s earlier hit “Anywhere.”
Set to the production talents of Garret & Focus, “U Already Know” by 112 is a provocative song about physical intimacy between two people. The song depicts a passionate night between two lovers familiar and comfortable with each other’s desires. The lyrics suggest that the two are home alone, intending to satisfy their sexual desires. Group members Slim and Q share lead vocals, with Daron providing ad-libs at the end. “U Already Know” is still a favorite and holds up almost twenty years later.
The boys from the A went to a ballad for the second single, “What If.” Slim takes the lead on the song, which is a poignant reflection on regret over past mistakes and the desire for reconciliation in a broken relationship. Slow jam guru Darrell “Delite” Allamby provided the group with lyrics and production for the song.
The lyrics are centered on the singer’s introspection and self-criticism, admitting past infidelities, lying, and dominating behavior that caused his partner harm. The “what if” questions throughout the song highlight the singer’s wishful thinking about an alternate reality where he had acted differently and not lost his love.
If memory serves, “If I Hit” featuring T.I. was also a radio single but didn’t take off. Like other R&B artists at the time, 112 overloaded the project. Outside of “Damn,” the up-tempo numbers hit less than their previous bops. “My Mistakes” is straight filler, and “The Way” feat Jermaine Dupri comes off as a low-rent Jay-Z leftover. At the same time, the unlikely collaboration on “Closing The Club” with Three 6 Mafia is still perplexing. Who could’ve ever predicted that the guys who sang “Love You Like I Did” would croon the words nads in a song?
Thankfully the group kept a step when it came to ballads and interludes. “That’s How Close We Are,” “Why Can’t Get We Along,” and “God Knows” still sound fresh in 2023. Furthermore, the interlude “We Goin Be Alright” has more soul and passion in the lyrics than some R&B artists ruling the airwaves.
Pleasure & Pain would serve as the last 112 album for twelve years. After this project, 112 would focus on solo efforts and the occasional spot date. While the album is weaker than their previous releases, there are some bright spots.
Final Grade: B –
Pleasure & Pain is available on all streaming platforms.
Growing up in the nineties, movies aimed at a melanin audience often featured soundtracks that had to be just as flavorful as the films themselves. This week, for Slow Jam Saturday, I want to take a trip back to 1993 and highlight one of the slow jams from the soundtrack of “Menace II Society”.
Last week marked two significant anniversaries for one of the greatest artists of all time, Mr. Prince Rogers Nelson. It’s only fitting that I show him some love for Second Listen Sunday. The first anniversary was on the 21st, commemorating nine years since his passing. The second anniversary was on the 22nd, celebrating the 40th anniversary of his seventh studio album, “Around the World in a Day.”
One of my most significant decisions late last year was to pledge to Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. At the time of this writing, I am in Atlantic City for my fraternity’s Regional Conference, where I will represent my chapter, Beta Alpha Omega. In that regard, I believe the perfect song for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday is “The Best Man I Can Be.”