R&B songstress Gina Thompson is most remembered for her 1996 debut single “Nobody Does It Better” and the Bad Boy Remix featuring Missy Elliott, who gained notability and mainstream attention for her unique signature, “Hee-Hee-How” punchline.
While that song kills some catalogs, I wanted to give Gina props for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday for her cover of Anita Baker’s “Angel.” Gina’s version is the fifth track on her debut album.
I’ve always felt that “Angel” is a song that celebrates the strength, tenderness, and security we find in our partners. Similar to Anita, Gina expresses admiration for her love and willingness to do whatever it takes to keep the relationship strong. The lyrics convey that their passion is heaven-sent, filling them with joy and protecting them when times get tough. In the end, the vocals assure their partner that they are unique to them.
Shout out to Rodney Jerkins, whose production allowed Gina to make the song her own.
Final Grade: B
“Angel” from Nobody Does It Better is available on all streaming platforms.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit 2004 and highlight Romeo’s debut solo album, formerly of Immature. Titled “Food for Thought” and released on June 22nd, this project marked the singer’s change of name to Young Rome in an effort to distance himself from the youthful sound of his group, much like his bandmate Marques Houston had done a year earlier.
In the nineties, Hip-Hop reigned supreme, and every label CEO wanted a share of the lucrative R&B market. One strategy was to keep singers on their roster who could deliver catchy hooks, keeping everything in-house and saving money. Bad Boy had Carl Thomas, Death Row had Danny Boy, and Roc-A-Fella had Rell, our featured artist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday
Growing up in the eighties, I was surrounded by incredibly talented male R&B singers who could deliver unforgettable love songs. Artists like Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, and Peabo Bryson dominated the airwaves, but Freddie Jackson was another voice that truly deserved recognition.