Tru-Skoo comprised of members Caramello Jenkins and Diggy Fontaine kick-off 2021 with their album Jukebox. Released on GodMan Music Group, the release is a throwback to the good ole days of R&B, and Hip Hop infused music. The duo opens the album with a throwback “Intro” that took me back to the days of talent shows at the Apollo or a juke joint deep in the south. The next track is “Rock Wit” (Interlude), where Caramello Jenkins and Diggy Fontaine trade Hip Hop bars back and forth over Boonie Mayfield’s production. The duo immediately pulled men with their flow and message in the music, so much so I wanted it to be a full song.
The album’s title track is up next and continues the vibe set in “Rock Wit.” One of the things I noticed throughout the album was they share a kindred partnership and love for the art of music. Neither gentlemen outshines the other, and it’s refreshing to hear as often times in duos one-man will outperform his counterpart.
The good vibes continue with “Steppers Delight,” which can easily be a stepper’s anthem and a huge hit were we not in the COVID. Now the next two tracks, I have tip my hat to the group as both songs deserve radio play. Up first is “Means So Much,” with a throwback sound courtesy of Boonie Mayfield. From the song’s opening chords, I pictured a video set to a scene in a Black Romantic comedy where our hero realizes he messed up and needs to get his love back. Diggy Fontaine gives the track a bodacious swagger. At the same time, Caramello Jenkins sings the songs with vocal confidence well ahead of his years.
The pair pays homage to the lord on the next track, “Zone Out (You).” Diggy Fontaine drops a fresh Hot 16 where he name drops SWV & Tevin Campbell with crazy wordplay. While his counterpart Caramello Jenkins reminded me of a young El Debarge with his message. Now before you give me the side-eye, let me clarify. Some of El’s best love songs he could have effortlessly been singing about GOD, and that’s the vibe Caramello brings to the song.
The rest of the album is filled with love and positivity. There’s even a bit of knowledge on treating the ladies right. I must also compliment the group for the chemistry with producer Boonie Mayfield who produced the entire project. I didn’t find one skip-worthy song on the album, and my only gripe is the length of Rock Wit” (Interlude). This is a fine album overall and worth the stream if you need some positivity in your life.
Final Grade B+
Favorite tracks: “Rock Wit” (Interlude), “Zone Out (You),” “Means So Much.”
Jukebox 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.
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