Cassandra Lucas and Charrisse Rose, better known as Changing Faces, started as backing vocalists for Sybil in the music industry. In 1994, the duo released their debut self-titled album, which featured two lead singles, “Stroke You Up” and “Foolin Around,” by a writer/producer who shall remain nameless. Instead, I want to focus on the album’s third single, “Keep It Right There,” for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday selection.
DeVanté Swing of Jodeci was the writer and producer of this song, and it features Swing’s signature production. Fresh off his success overseeing his group’s second album, Swing was a high in demand producer. 1995 saw him working with Usher, H-Town, and overseeing 99% of the production on the debut of female R&B group Sista, in which Missy Elliot was a member.
The R&B sound of the nineties was a special time, and Swing could honestly do no wrong. He was one of the top producers during the early nineties, however, his contributions rarely receive mention by the mainstream. “Keep It Right There” solidifies this as Cassandra opens up the song with a sultry vocal crooning:
“Anytime I need you baby you gave good love
And every time I turn around you’re all that I’m thinking of
Lately, you think our relation going too fast
Can we try it tonight now baby can we make it last”
Before Charrisse comes through on the chorus eloquently chanting
“Keep it right there keep it right there if you wanna please me
Keep it right there keep it right there and I’ll make it easy
Keep it right there keep it right there if you wanna please me
Keep it right there keep it right there and I’ll make it easy”.
The ladies’ voices sound wonderfully harmonious over the nearly 3 ½ minute slow jam. The one thing about DeVanté Swing’s production is that you always know his sound when you hear it. Honestly, the song could’ve easily found a place on Jodeci’s second or third album as well, but I’m ecstatic that Swing gave the song to a female artist instead. While Changing Faces fans may consider their collaborations with the nameless producer as signature songs, “Keep It Right There” is a personal favorite.
Final Grade: A –
“Keep It Right There” is available on all streaming platforms
This weekend is about celebrating the King of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson, and his legacy. For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to highlight his debut solo album, “Got To Be There,” which was released on January 24th, 1972.
Fifteen years after his untimely passing, the King of Pop’s music continues to resonate with us, a testament to its timeless appeal. As we honor his heavenly birthday this past Thursday, I wanted to pay tribute to him with ‘Loving You’ for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.
When we reminisce about the potential of lead singers who could have been iconic solo acts, the name Sisqó immediately springs to mind. The front man for R&B quartet Dru Hill, Sisqó, stormed onto the scene in 1999 with his solo debut ‘Unleash the Dragon.’ The success of the singles ‘Incomplete’ and ‘Thong Song’ propelled Sisqó’s solo debut to sell a staggering five million copies in the US alone, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.