If you’ve heard my Podcast or read my older reviews, you know that I love R&B. I always say that one of the best things about growing up in the nineties is the prevalence of male groups. We all know the names like Silk, Jodeci, and Boyz II Men. However, there are other groups that only die-hard R&B fans remember. Coming of Age is one of these groups.
Composed of singers Israel Spencer, Tao Kese, Ivan Shaw Maranthony Tabb, and Terrance Quaites (who would find solo success as TQ following the group’s disbandment). The group released their self-titled debut in 1993. Cameo member Charlie Singleton writes the album’s opener, the lush Acappella “One In A Million,” which shows off the group’s harmonies.
The late great Kashif contributes to the album’s lead single and second track, “Coming Home to Love.” I remember hearing “Coming Home to Love” on the radio and seeing its accompanying video on BET when I was in the sixth grade. The balladry continues on “Baby Be Still” written and produced by Jeff Valentine, another sentimental track with elegant vocals. However, the group loses some of the energy on the next two songs.
Up first is an uninspired cover of The Isley Brothers’ classic “Between the Sheets,” where the group mistakenly changes the arrangements. A dated New Jack Swing track, “You Turn Me On,” follows, and the song sounds like a generic Guy track. Simplicity also befalls another New Jack Swing track, “Lil’ Hottie Got a Body” as well.
Thankfully the group returns to the strength of the album’s opening three numbers with “Intimate,” a lush slow jam that avoids becoming crass. The rest of the album is standard R&B ballads of the time. You have an apology track with “I Miss You Lover,” as well as the pleading songs “Give Me Your Love,” and “I’d Rather Be with You.” The acapella track “All I Ask of You” serves as the standout overall.
Coming of Age would release a follow up two years later with Comin’ Correct, which featured the singles “Sparkle” and “Forever” before disbanding. Coming of Age got lost in the R&B group shuffle and are pretty much forgotten by mainstream listeners. Nevertheless, their self-titled debut features tracks that I often revisit myself.
Top Tracks: “Coming Home To Love|”, “One in A Million”, “Intimate”
Final Grade B
While the first album is unavailable for streaming, you can stream the second album Comin’ Correct.
There are some albums you revisit because of nostalgia, and then there are albums you return to because they remind you just how high the standard used to be. Anita Baker’s Rapture falls into that second category. Released in 1986, the album did more than make Baker a star. It helped define what sophisticated, grown R&B could sound like without losing any soul, sensuality, or personality.
Gwen Stefani had already established herself as a significant force with No Doubt when she released her debut solo album, *Love. Angel. Music. Baby* in 2004. This week, while my iPod was on shuffle, one of my favorite songs from that project, “The Real Thing,” came on. Although the original version has an upbeat new-wave feel, the Slow Jam Mix takes it to another level and is the perfect choice for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.
Unless you’re a music purist, mentioning Randy Jackson from the famous family is likely to elicit a joke. However, any serious Jackson fan knows that Randy had musical achievements long before the punchlines. Before he was old enough to buy a drink, he had already co-written “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” and “Lovely One” with Michael Jackson.
Reviews And Dunn is a unique blog showcasing all things cinema, music & theater.