There’s always been a significant relationship between R&B and jazz music. One of my favorite saxophonists, Boney James, has many collaborations with R&B singers such as Donell Jones, Mario, Dave Hollister, and Jaheim. For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday selection, I wanted to highlight Boney’s 2006 collaboration with Earth, Wind & Fire’s lead vocalist Philip Bailey.
The duo collaborated on the elegant ballad “Love Song” from Boney’s tenth studio album, Shine. When the album arrived in stores in September of 2006, I was on a deployment. Spending time in the sandbox, I had tons of time to digest music. I was already familiar with Boney’s work, but there was something special about “Love Song.”
James opens the song with his signature sax skills before the buttery smooth vocals of Bailey come through for a blissful four and half minutes.
“Any time that we’re together
I can’t keep my eyes off you
Did you know it’s you I treasure
Doin’ anything you want me, anything you ask me to
I never ever had a love so true
Someone as warm as you
All I know is that I love you
Give all my love to you, that’s all I wanna do
Gonna write a little love song, yeah
Gonna tell you how I feel
Gonna write a little love song
Show you how I care for you, I’ll keep on loving you.”
The lyrics in the song come across with emotion as Bailey croons his feelings. I think anyone who has ever been in love will relate to what Bailey is singing about. If you’ve never heard the track, I recommend checking it out.
Final Grade: A
“Love Song” from Shine 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.