One of the best things about growing up in the nineties was experiencing the joy of a Bad Boy remix. The label’s female R&B trio Total was enjoying the success of their song “Kissing You” when Puff dropped the remix in the late fall of 1995. The remix h carried the subtitle Oh Honey and was smoother than the original version.
While my DJ days were about nine years away, I was always an album credit reader and discovered the artist Diddy and co-producer sampled for the remix. Delegation was a United Kingdom-based soul group compromised of original members Len Coley, Roddy Harris, and Rick Bailey on lead vocals. Eventually, Ray Patterson and Bruce Dunbar would replace Coley & Harris.
The group’s debut, The Promise of Love, would be released in 1977, and Oh Honey was one of the featured songs. The smooth ballad gave the group their first US hit in 1979. Christian Gold and Michael Denne penned, with Gold also producing. “Oh Honey” is a love song that celebrates the unconditional devotion and support you receive from your partner. The song’s lyrics express the sentiment that no matter what, you will always be there for your partner through joy and sorrow.
When you find the one, you realize that love is a force that never waves. The lyrics depict a partner that is the speaker’s source of inspiration, strength, and comfort in times of trouble. In the song, Bailey is so appreciative of their partner that they thank them for “giving [them] a brand new start,” showing the level of devotion in the relationship. The song overall is a positive and uplifting message about the power of love and connection.
Final Grade: A –
“Oh Honey” by Delegation is available on most streaming platforms
Songstress Ashanti was experiencing significant success with two platinum albums at the time of the release of her inaugural holiday project, “Ashanti’s Christmas,” on November 18, 2003. Her label head, Irv Gotti, produced most of the album. This project comprises four original songs co-written by Ashanti, in addition to six cover versions of traditional Christmas standards and carols.
Vocal quartet A Few Good Man contributed two songs to the project: a cover of “Silver Bells” and the ballad “Merry Christmas My Dear,” both of which were produced by Daryl Simmons. Demail Burks, David Morris, Aaron Hilliard, and Tony Amey were the members of the group, and after introducing themselves in the festive video for “Silver Bells,” it was only fitting that they delivered a ballad on the album.
R&B legend Luther Vandross had already solidified his place in R&B when he released his first holiday album, “This Is Christmas. Arriving in stores on October 24, 1995, “This Is Christmas” validates Vandross’s ability to sing anything.