The nineties were a prime time in R&B. I often say there were so many groups dropping heat that many got lost in the shuffle. Often, mainstream listeners write off acts as one-hint wonders when artists would have R&B charting hits that didn’t necessarily transition into pop hits. Female R&B trio Jade is one such group and this week’s Slow Jam Saturday pick.
Jade hit the scene in 1992 when they were featured on the soundtrack to Class Act with the catchy bop “I Wanna Love You .” The group’s second single, “Don’t Walk Away,” from their debut album, Jade To The Max, was an even more enormous success. A Tribe Called Quest even sampled the song’s bassline for “Award Tour” from Midnight Marauders.
The following two singles were ballads, with the first being “One Woman” and my favorite, “Looking For Mr. Do Right.” Jade linked up with underrated producer Alton “Wokie Stewart” for the song as he was fresh off crafting hits for Bell Biv Devoe, The Temptations, and Keith Sweat. In “Looking For Mr. Do Right,” Stewart cooked up a song about a woman tired of being stood up and disappointed by men who don’t treat her right.
The ladies share lead vocals and passionately croon about looking for a man who is “Mr. Do Right,” someone who will fulfill her emotional and physical needs and treat her with respect. The song also expresses the frustration and longing for a committed partner who appreciates them. The chorus highlights this with the repeated phrase, “I’m looking for Mr. (Do right), Mr. Do Right (Do right) / Someone who can please me through the night,” emphasizing the desire for intimacy and connection with someone who will do right by her.
The lyrics also touch on the struggle of waiting for someone who doesn’t reciprocate feelings, with lines like “I sit here waiting / But you just won’t call.” Overall, the song conveys a sense of hope, frustration, and longing for a real connection with a loving partner. While TLC and SWV are possibly two female R&B trios that would likely make their way into a Jeopardy category of nineties R&B, let’s give some flowers to Jade, who also had two quality albums.
Final Grade: B
“Looking For Mr. Do Right” from Jade to the Max is available on all streaming platforms
Songstress Ashanti was experiencing significant success with two platinum albums at the time of the release of her inaugural holiday project, “Ashanti’s Christmas,” on November 18, 2003. Her label head, Irv Gotti, produced most of the album. This project comprises four original songs co-written by Ashanti, in addition to six cover versions of traditional Christmas standards and carols.
Vocal quartet A Few Good Man contributed two songs to the project: a cover of “Silver Bells” and the ballad “Merry Christmas My Dear,” both of which were produced by Daryl Simmons. Demail Burks, David Morris, Aaron Hilliard, and Tony Amey were the members of the group, and after introducing themselves in the festive video for “Silver Bells,” it was only fitting that they delivered a ballad on the album.
R&B legend Luther Vandross had already solidified his place in R&B when he released his first holiday album, “This Is Christmas. Arriving in stores on October 24, 1995, “This Is Christmas” validates Vandross’s ability to sing anything.