My choice for this week’s Second Listen Sunday is a singer who had already been in the music industry for almost a decade before one of his songs dethroned Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and reached the Number One spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
That man was Billy Ocean, and the song was “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)” from his fifth album Suddenly. Arriving in record stores on 12 September 1984, the album was led by the single “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run),” a ditty of a song centered on the adage of love at first sight. The song was the first of many collaborations between Ocean and maestro Keith Diamond.
Ocean released “Loverboy” as the second single album. This track was produced by Keith Diamond, who had worked with Michael Jackson, and Robert John “Mutt” Lange, who had previously produced multiple hits for Def Leppard and AC/DC. “Loverboy” uniquely blends R&B, soul, and rock and is still one of Ocean’s most popular songs. “Loverboy” has a catchy chorus, foot-tapping beats, and a strong bassline, making it perfect for the dance floor. The song’s lyrics revolve around Ocean’s longing for a special lady. Ocean conveys a sense of intense yearning and longing through his passionate expression of desire, reflected in his soulful delivery of the lines.
The connection between Diamond and Ocean was palpable in their collaboration on the third single and titular track of their album. “Suddenly” is widely considered the most notable song of the album and continues to be one of Ocean’s signature tunes. The ballad is a testament to Ocean’s exceptional vocal abilities, with its beautifully crafted tune and deeply emotional lyrics that leave a lasting impression on listeners. The memorable melodies and heartfelt lyrics of “Suddenly” have made it a timeless classic. Ocean would release two more singles from the album “Mystery Lady” and The Beatle’s cover, “Long Winding Road,” but neither made a chart dent the way the previous singles did.
Nevertheless, almost forty years later, it still sounds good. In terms of production, Suddenly boasts a polished and timeless sound that has aged well, thanks to the expert craftwork of Keith Diamond. The album’s instrumentation is rich, featuring a combination of electronic and traditional R&B elements that were popular in the 1980s. Suddenly is a solid and cohesive album that effectively captures the essence of 1980s R&B and pop music. Billy Ocean’s soulful delivery and the album’s well-crafted production make it a memorable and enjoyable listening experience for fans of the era.
Final Grade: B+
Suddenly 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.