Second Listen Sunday : Whitney Houston, “Whitney Houston”
This past Friday marked the 40th anniversary of “The Voice,” a.k.a. Whiney Houston’s self-titled debut album hitting stores. So, in that regard, it was only right to give Nippy her flowers for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
Slow Jam Saturday : Dwele, “Weekend Love”
For this weekend’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to take a trip to Motor City and show some love to soul singer Dwele. It was 2005, and I was living in the UK as part of my Air Force enlistment. Dwele had just released his second album, “Some Kinda,” enjoying some chart success with the lead single “I Think I Love U,” by Mike City.
Second Listen Sunday : The Four Tops, “Magic”
The remainder of the album maintains a classic R&B vibe, showcasing the group’s signature sound. One of the standout tracks is “Maybe Tomorrow,” featuring the iconic Phyllis Hyman. It transforms difficult circumstances into positive outcomes—essentially making lemonade from lemons.
Slow Jam Saturday : Jesse Johnson, ‘I Want My Girl’
For this week’s selection for Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to venture to the Twin Cities and highlight “I Want My Girl” from Jesse Johnson’s solo debut “Jesse Johnson’s Revue.” The guitarist had already made a name for himself as the lead guitarist in the funk band, “The Time.” As diehard fans know, The Time would disband after releasing their third album, “Ice Cream Castle.”
Second Listen Sunday: Mario, “Go”
The album’s first single, “How Do I Breathe,” features the singer’s reunion with the production team Stargate. Co-writing the song, Mario delivers a lush ballad that captures a man’s emotional struggle after a breakup. He expresses feelings of loss and the difficulty of moving on following the end of a significant relationship.
Slow Jam Saturday : Mary J. Blige feat. Kci Hailey , “I Don’t Want To Do Anything”
In the spirit of the tour, I want to show some love for “I Don’t Want to Do Anything” (featuring K-Ci Hailey of Jodeci) for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. Although it was never officially released as a single, “I Don’t Want to Do Anything” has become a staple on nineties R&B Quiet Storm playlists. The song was written and produced by DeVante Swing, a member of Jodeci
Second Listen Sunday : Eric Benét , “Love & Life”
Neo-soul artist Eric Benét is gearing up to embark on the “R&B Invitation Tour” alongside fellow singers Joe and Musiq Soulchild. Yesterday, I gave some flowers to Musiq Soulchild, and for this week’s Second Listen Sunday, Eric Benét is the recipient.
Slow Jam Saturday: Musiq, “Who Knows”
Neo-Soul Crooner Musiq Soulchild is preparing to hit the road for the “R&B Invitation Tour” with fellow singers JOE and Eric Benét. Therefore, it was only right to revisit a ballad from his third album, “Soulstar, for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.
Second Listen Sunday : Debarge, “Rhythm of the Night”
Debarge returned to ballads with the second single, “Who’s Holding Donna Now,” penned by David Foster, Randy Goodrum, and Jay Graydon. El’s powerful vocals express his longing for his ex, Donna, as he grapples with moving on. The lyrics convey his desire to be with her again, showcasing his willingness to do anything to be in the place of the man who holds her now.
Slow Jam Saturday : Kool & The Gang, “Cherish”
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to return to that magical year of 1985 and show some love to Kool & the Gang’s wedding staple “Cherish. The third single from their sixteenth album’ Emergency.”
Second Listen Sunday : Montell Jordan, “This is How We Do It”
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to return to 1995 and show some love to R&B singer Montell Jordan and his platinum-selling single, “This Is How We Do It,” which hit record stores on April 4th, 1995. Jordan was the second male R&B artist to sign with legendary label Def Jam and burst onto the scene with the Slick Rick sampling hit “This Is How We Do It.”
Slow Jam Saturday : Soul For Real, “If Only You Knew”
The year was 1995, and the pop boy band takeover was still a few years away. Nevertheless, R&B vocal groups were holding it down. MCA had already found success with Immature, the nineties answer to New Edition, and their subsidiary Uptown had an answer to The Jacksons with the Dalyyrrimple brothers, a.k.a. Soul for Real.