R&B duo K-Ci & Jo Jo achieved runaway success when they broke away from their parent group Jodeci in the summer of 1997. The third single from the album “All My Life” was the number-one song on the Hot 100 for three weeks, a feat that K-Ci & JoJo had never achieved with Jodeci. K-Ci & Jo Jo showcased their unique sound and style as a duo, resonating with pop audiences.
The group’s label didn’t rush out a second album, though. Instead, they kept the duo on the road and dabbled in other projects. During the fall of 1997, they took part in the R&B supergroup Milestone along with After 7 to contribute vocals to the lush ballad “I Care ‘Bout You” for the soundtrack of the movie Soul Food. And a soundtrack contribution from the duo brings us to this week’s Slow Jam Saturday pick.
Iconic author Terry McMillian saw another one of her books adapted to the big screen in 1998 with How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Legendary production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis oversaw the soundtrack providing Kci & Jo Jo with “Never Say Never Again.”
The song speaks about a change of heart when it comes to love. At the beginning of the track, K-CI talks about not wanting to fall in love and avoiding emotional attachment. However, he meets a woman who changes his perspective and teaches him a valuable lesson about love. He acknowledges that the love he has for this woman has deepened, and she has become a significant part of his life.
The lyrics suggest that the K-CI apologizes for not listening to his mother’s advice about treating women as precious gifts. Ultimately, the song talks about the joys of falling in love and the lessons one learns while experiencing it. Outside of performing the track on Motown Live and appearing on The Jamie Foxx show, the song gained little traction. It’s a shame because it’s one of their strongest songs.
Final Grade: B+
“Never Say Never Again” can be found on the soundtrack to How Stella Got Her Groove Back and All My Life: Their Greatest Hits, both on 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.