No group solidified nineties R&B more than the quartet Boyz II Men. In February 1995, the group was basking in the success of their multiplatinum-selling album II when the third single, “Thank You,” was released. As you know, it’s Slow Jam Saturday, and “Thank You” isn’t exactly a ballad. However, as die-hard Boyz II Men fans know, the EP for “Thank You” featured the ballad “Fallin,” which is this week’s pick for Slow Jam Saturday.
While “Fallin” did appear as a Bonus Track on the initial International pressings of II, most US fans heard the song for the first on the Thank You EP. “Fallin” found Boyz II Men reuniting with R&B superstar Brian McKnight who produced the track and co-wrote it with Brandon Barnes. Boyz II Men’s signature harmonies carry the track over a lush production. The strength of the song for me has always lied in the relatable lyrics. I’m sure anyone who is falling in love for the first time can relate to
“Everytime I think of you
The woman all my life been waiting
There’s nothing that I’d rather do
Than love you endlessly
Don’t know what you see in me
Girl you bring out the best in me
And I realize when I look in your eyes
There’s nothing that I can do
Catch me I’m fallin’
Head over heels in love with you
Oh bless me fallin’
And no one can do
Catch me I’m fallin’
And my heart is like brand new
I’m falling in love, falling in love
With you”
If “Fallin” is an indicator of what Boyz II Men left on the cutting room floor for II (yes, I know that Tim & Bob produced—”Now That We’re Done” and “Can I Touch You”—ended up on 112’s 1996 self-titled debut), I would love to hear the remaining tracks.
Final Grade: A
“Fallin” is available on YouTube
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.