Second Listen Sunday: New Edition, Under The Blue Moon
The year was 1986, and legendary R&B group New Edition was amid a transitional phase. Founding member Bobby Brown had exited the group in the winter of 1985, making the group a quartet.
Slow Jam Saturday: Smooth, Strawberries
In the world of music, female double-threat artists are nothing new. Queen Latifah was already successfully juggled an acting and Hip Hop career when we discovered she could sing in the 1998 film Living Out Loud. Icon Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott took it to another level for female artists who could rap and sing in the nineties when she released her classic debut Supa Dupa Fly in 1997.
Flashback Friday Album Retrospective: Shai, Destiny with special guest Dr. Garfield Bright
Contrary to popular belief, nineties R&B group and Howard University alums Shai did have more songs besides “If I Ever in Love”. While that song is their signature tune, Nineties R&B fans can attest to the fact that, “Baby I’m Yours”, “The Place Where You Belong” and the fire remix to ”I Don’t Wanna Be Alone” (featuring Jay-Z) were all bops. When it came to the ballads and slow jams “Comforter”.
The Redeem Team is another slam dunk documentary from Netflix
Director Jon Weinbach blesses basketball fans with a winning documentary in The Redeem Team from Netflix. Using unprecedented Olympic footage and behind-the-scenes material, The Redeem Team tells the story of the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team’s quest for gold at the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 following the previous team’s shocking performance four years earlier in Athens.
The Inhabitant swings and misses as horror flick
Director Jerren Lauder follows up his 2020 debut Stay Out of the Attic with another film in Lionsgate’s The Inhabitant. Scriptwriter Kevin Bachar wrote the script for the film, which uses the backstory of Lizzie Borden to weave a plot into the story of the film.
Second Listen Sunday: Barry White,The Icon Is Love
Love Mysterio Barry White was already an icon when his nineteenth studio album, The Icon Is Love, hit stores on October 4, 1994. Growing up, I always heard Barry’s name or music during the quiet storm but didn’t truly appreciate it.
Slow Jam Saturday: Nicole Wray, Eyes Better Not Wander
Too often in the R&B genre, an artist can get written off as a one-hit wonder even though they’ve continued to release music. Nicole Wray (who now goes by the stage name Lady Wray) is one such artist.
No chills or thrills in the mundane Devil’s Workshop
Director Chris von Hoffman delves into the horror genre for his sophomore feature, Devil’s Workshop from Lionsgate. Struggling actor Clayton (Timothy Granaderos) is desperate for a role as a demonologist.
Second Listen Sunday: Public Announcement, All Work No Play
Numerous R&B groups have fallen into obscurity following the departure of the lead singer. One such group was Public Announcement which collaborated with a disgraced R&B singer for a 1992 project.
Slow Jam Saturday: Dru Hill, Enchantment Passing Through
R&B quartet Dru Hill was basking in the success of their sophomore album Enter the Dru and preparing to embark on its supporting tour when they appeared on the concept album Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida.
Flashback Friday Album: Jesse Powell, Bout It with Special Guest Vocalz Iz
Having previously revisited the late great Jesse Powell’s first, third and fourth albums, I wanted to bring on a music head to discuss Powell’s second album, Bout It. Arriving in stores on September 8, 1998, Powell’s sophomore album featured the hit song “You”. While R&B fans first heard the song on Powell’s debut, it was officially a single on this album.
Florence Pugh’s masterful lead performance saves Don’t Worry Darling
Actress Oliva Wilde’s second directorial effort, Don’t Worry Darling, explores a different genre from Warner Bros. Pictures. Alice (Florence Pugh) and Jack (Harry Styles) are lucky to live in the idealized community of Victory, the experimental company town housing the men working for the top-secret Victory Project and their families.