Second Listen Sunday: Jasmine Guy, “Jasmine Guy”
Earlier this week, fans were excited when the trailer for Netflix’s upcoming sequel series, “A Different World”, was released. In response, I thought it would be fitting to pay tribute to Jasmine Guy’s self-titled album from 1990 for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
Slow Jam Saturday : The Miracles , “I Didn’t Realize The Show Was Over”
Some jobs in music are difficult, but being asked to replace Smokey Robinson is another. When Robinson stepped away from The Miracles in the early seventies, Billy Griffin inherited a microphone attached to one of Motown’s most recognizable voices.
Second Listen Sunday : The Tony Rich Project, “Birdseye”
When I reflect on the summer of 1998, I was preparing for my junior year, while R&B seemed to be at a crossroads. Brandy and Monica were dominating the youth market with their blockbuster sophomore albums, while established male singers like Luther Vandross and Gerald Levert were comfortably settling into Urban AC.
Slow Jam Saturday : The Tony Rich Project, “Like a Woman”
When you hear the name Tony Rich, “Nobody Knows” is likely the first song that comes to mind. That record was a massive success, and its influence still lingers. However, true music enthusiasts recognize that Rich was never a one-hit wonder. He possessed an incredible talent for songwriting.
Slow Jam Saturday : Chauncey Black, “Everyday Is Your Birthday”
This week’s Slow Jam Saturday pick takes us back to 2008 to show some love to Chauncey Hannibal, a member of Blackstreet, and his solo track “Everyday Is Your Birthday.” Chauncey’s vocals were featured prominently on the group’s first four albums until he began his solo career in 2005. He initially signed with Flipmode Entertainment, and “Everyday Is Your Birthday” was the first single from his project titled “Church Boy,” although the actual album was never released.
Second Listen Sunday: Brooke Valentine, “Chain Letter”
As my loyal readers know, one of my passions during my Air Force enlistment was being a DJ. Since I was stationed in the UK, it was sometimes hard to keep up with the music scene, as there was no satellite radio, the club scene rarely showcased new music, and I missed out on shows like 106 & Park. Often, I would buy new CDs based solely on their covers and find a way to incorporate the music into my sets, particularly if the artist caught my attention. One such artist was Brooke Valentine, who is this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday.
Second Listen Sunday : Akon, Konvicted
Since my wife’s favorite solo artist, Ne-Yo, is currently on tour, I decided to show some love to Akon this week for Second Listen Sunday by focusing on his second album, “Konvicted.” I first discovered Akon in the fall of 2004 when I made my DJ debut while stationed in the UK. During my warm-up set, I played “Locked Up,” and one of the bouncers came over, handed me a pound, and said it was about time someone played that song.
Slow Jam Saturday : Ne-Yo, Queen
Last night, R&B superstar Ne-Yo performed at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA, so I felt it was only fitting to dive into his catalog for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. Now, two decades into his solo career, Ne-Yo has numerous songs to choose from, but I decided to go with “Queen.”
Second Listen Sunday : Eric Bellinger, “New Light : Acoustics”
I’ve always been a fan of Eric Bellinger. My admiration stems not only from the records he has released under his own name but also from the impressive career he built behind the scenes. Long before casual R&B listeners recognized his face, they were already familiar with his songwriting through tracks he penned for artists like Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber, and Wale.
Slow Jam Saturday : Divine, “Lately”
While TLC and SWV are often seen as the defining female trios of the 1990s, this week’s Slow Jam Saturday takes us back to 1998 to revisit a group that deserved more recognition than it received. Before label issues cut their career short, Divine made their debut with the single “Lately”—a heartfelt ballad that showcased beautiful harmonies, emotional honesty, and all the elements of what seemed to be a promising future.
Second Listen Sunday: Prince and the Revolution’s Parade: Music from the Motion Picture Under the Cherry Moon
As many of you know, I had the opportunity to visit Paisley Park earlier this week while vacationing in Minnesota. During the tour, our guide shared that an expanded edition of Prince’s album “Parade” is expected to be released to celebrate its 40th anniversary. After spending the day exploring the Twin Cities, it felt like the perfect excuse to revisit one of the most fascinating and underrated albums in Prince’s legendary catalog.
Slow Jam Saturday : Prince, “She Loves Me 4 Me”
One of the reasons I’ve always considered Prince to have the edge over Michael Jackson is his remarkable collection of ballads and slow jams. While Michael delivered unforgettable love songs, Prince seemed to have an endless supply tucked away on his albums. His greatest hits only scratch the surface of what made him such a […]