Slow Jam Saturday: George Michael, One More Try
The late George Michael successfully transitioned from a boy band to a successful soul artist with his debut solo album Faith in 1987. Michael had already scored four successful singles when the fourth single, “One More Try,” hit the airwaves.
Second Listen Sunday: 112, Pleasure & Pain
R&B quartet 112 was at a crossroads when their fifth album, Pleasure & Pain, hit records stores in the spring of 2005. A year prior, they officially departed longtime label Bad Boy Records for Def Soul, and the group’s fourth album, Hot & Wet, had underperformed two years earlier.
Slow Jam Saturday: Tamia, Still
There’s no question that Canadian singer Tamia is unsung. While she has six Grammys nominations and numerous other awards, mainstream success has yet to be in the cards. I was a month into my first overseas assignment in England when she released her third album, More.
Second Listen Sunday: Michael Jackson, Invincible
As a music enthusiast, I will never forget June 25, 2009. That day, a fellow passenger on the shuttle bus informed me of Michael Jackson’s passing. For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I revisited Jackson’s tenth and final studio album, Invincible. It’s common knowledge that Jackson faced legal issues in 1993, which affected his career.
Slow Jam Saturday: LL Cool J feat. Boyz II Men, Hey Lover
This weekend is about celebrating The King Of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson, and his legacy. For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I initially had plans to do a write-up on “The Lady In My Life” from Thriller. However, in honor of Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary, I decided to go with one of my favorite Hip Hop ballads, “Hey Lover,” which samples the song.
Second Listen Sunday: Gerald & Eddie LeVert, Father & Son
Today is Father’s Day, so I wanted to highlight a legendary father and son duo for Second Listen Sunday. Arriving in stores on Sept 26, 1995, Father and Son was the first full-length collaboration between the late great Gerald LeVert and his dad Eddie LeVert.
Slow Jam Saturday: Eric Roberson feat. Pop, Do The Same For Me
Next to New Edition, one performer who I always make time to see any time they are in my city is Eric Roberson. I’ve lost count of times I’ve witnessed Erro wreck shop on stage. One performance that sticks out was in 2016 at The Birchmere in Alexandria. During a “Do The Same For Me” performance, Eric brought his dad on stage to sing the song with him.
Second Listen Sunday: Jordan Knight, Jordan Knight
Lead singers going solo from their group is nothing new. Sometimes the solo venture happens when they are still with the group; other times, they wait until the group is on hiatus. Jordan Knight was the primary lead vocalist in the massively successful New Kids On The Block pop group. With a falsetto style modeled after the legendary Russell Thompkins Jr of The Stylistics, Knight led his group to numerous top-ten hits.
Slow Jam Saturday: DeBarge, Love Me In A Special Way
DeBarge, Motown’s eighties answer to The Jackson 5, was introduced to a whole new era of fans when one of Hip Hop goats, The Notorious B.I.G., sampled their 1983 classic “Stay With Me” for the remix to “One More Chance.” “Stay With Me” appeared on the group’s third album, In a Special Way.
Second Listen Sunday : Jimmy Cozier
Industry giant Clive Davis shook numerous heads when he announced his new label J Records after he was ousted from Arista Records in 2000.
Slow Jam Saturday : 3T, Waiting For Love
There’s no doubt that the Jackson Family is a musical dynasty. You can go anywhere in the world, and there’s a good chance you will hear a song by Michael or Janet on the radio. In the past, I’ve given some flowers to solo releases from Jermaine and Jackie, but for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to shout out 3T.
Second Listen Sunday : Trey Lorenz
Luther Vandross, Tank, Gwen Stefani, and Whitney Houston are just some of the names who got their start singing background vocals for more successful singers who would later find success on their own. One name who often gets lost in the shuffle is Trey Lorenz.