For the last Slow Jam Saturday of the year, I wanted to highlight one of the most underrated voices in music, Mr. Kevin Ross, and his recently released single “This Winter”.
When I started my website, the essence of Slow Jam Saturday was always to celebrate tracks that resonate—melodies that don’t just aim to capture a fleeting moment but instead claim a lasting presence. Kevin Ross’ “This Winter” exemplifies this tradition perfectly.
It isn’t a festive tune designed to drown out the seasonal hustle and bustle; instead, it quietly draws you in, dims the lights, and reminds us why R&B has long been associated with intimacy, especially during cuffing season.
As an acclaimed singer-songwriter and one of today’s most dependable voices in modern R&B, Kevin Ross delivers “This Winter” with both subtlety and confidence. The song unfolds gradually, anchored by a seemingly simple refrain – “all I need is love for Christmas”—which resonates not just as a catchy phrase but as wisdom gained over time. Ross skillfully avoids exaggerating the emotion, allowing it to flourish naturally.
The enduring quality of this track evokes classic soul without merely falling into nostalgia. The melody exudes a cozy warmth, much like sitting by a fire. Simultaneously, his vocal delivery flows smoothly, creating a cinematic impact—personal enough to feel intimate yet polished enough to fill any space. This is the balance Ross has mastered throughout his career.
When Ross claims the song is about love being the greatest gift, it doesn’t come across as a mere promotional line. It feels genuine. “This Winter” conveys the message that the holidays aren’t about spectacle; they’re about connection with those you hold close. Who are you thinking about when the world slows down?
In a season crowded with novelty records, “This Winter” feels built for return visits. Not just this year, but the next one—and the one after that.
Final Grade: B+
“This Winter” is available on all streaming platforms.
This week’s Second Listen Sunday pick takes us back to 2006 to revisit “So Amazin’,” the third album from Christina Milian. Arriving in stores on April 19 of that year, the project was produced largely by Cool & Dre, sans one song, and saw the singer earn writing credits on nine of the album’s songs.
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I want to showcase love for Rahsaan Patterson and his album track “Can We Wait a Minute” from his self-titled debut album, released in 1997.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to take a trip back to 2000 and show some love to the R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo and their third album, “X,” which was released in stores on December 5, just in time for a holiday stocking stuffer. Arguably, the group suffered from the sophomore slump with their second album, as only two singles were successful.