During my Air Force enlistment in the United Kingdom, I enjoyed discovering new artists in my leisure time. Lyfe Jennings, this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, was one such artist. Mr. Jennings first came to my attention with his platinum-selling debut Lyfe 268‒192. I recall being so impressed with the album that I called my mom back in the States and told her she needed to run out and purchase a copy.
Two years later, his sophomore album, The Phoenix, featured the hit singles “S.E.X.” and “Let’s Stay Together.” Additionally, Jennings dabbled a bit in the gospel and rock genres. While popular opinion would have me highlight “Let’s Stay Together,” I chose to go with the album’s closing track, “I’ll Always Love You. “ At the time of the song’s release, I was known as the Slow Jam King on my duty station, so the minute I heard the track, I put it on my mix CDs for fellow Airmen to share with their potential love interest.
Lyfe wisely avoids covering the Taylor Dayne song of the same name, and Jennings gets sentimental on the track. Lyfe has always had a grit in his singing voice that gives his lyrics an extra layer. “I’ll Always Love You” is a heartfelt ballad that expresses enduring love and commitment. The song lyrics convey a message of unwavering affection and the promise always to hold someone dear, regardless of the circumstances.
In the song, Lyfe sings about a steadfast and unchanging love. He assures his partner that his love for them will endure no matter what challenges they face or how much time passes. It’s a powerful declaration of eternal love, emphasizing the depth and permanence of his feelings.
“I’ll Always Love You” encapsulates the essence of a profound, unconditional love that transcends the ups and downs of life. It highlights the significance of loyalty, devotion, and the enduring connection between two individuals, even in the face of adversity. While the song was never a single, it’s still one of the top ballads in the singer’s catalog.
Final Grade : A
“I’ll Always Love You” from The Phoenix is available on all streaming. platforms
There are some albums you revisit because of nostalgia, and then there are albums you return to because they remind you just how high the standard used to be. Anita Baker’s Rapture falls into that second category. Released in 1986, the album did more than make Baker a star. It helped define what sophisticated, grown R&B could sound like without losing any soul, sensuality, or personality.
Gwen Stefani had already established herself as a significant force with No Doubt when she released her debut solo album, *Love. Angel. Music. Baby* in 2004. This week, while my iPod was on shuffle, one of my favorite songs from that project, “The Real Thing,” came on. Although the original version has an upbeat new-wave feel, the Slow Jam Mix takes it to another level and is the perfect choice for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.
Unless you’re a music purist, mentioning Randy Jackson from the famous family is likely to elicit a joke. However, any serious Jackson fan knows that Randy had musical achievements long before the punchlines. Before he was old enough to buy a drink, he had already co-written “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” and “Lovely One” with Michael Jackson.