Second Listen Sunday: Rome, My Time Again
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again nineties R&B nineties was such a crowded field that frequently, a singer would drop a hit single, and we thought they would become one of R&B’s next stars. Michigan-bred singer Rome was one such singer. Bursting onto the scene with the hit slow jams “I Belong To You” and ” Do You Like This” in the spring of 1997, Rome had a decent enough voice that displayed his gospel roots.
Slow Jam Saturday: Full Force, “Your Place Or Mine”
In addition to offering scene-stealing moments in the first two House Party films, Hip Hop and R&B group Full Force made a name for themselves as in-demand producers. Initially, the group crafted tracks for artists such as UTFO, Doctor Ice, Samantha Fox, Patti LaBelle, The Force M.D.s, and of course, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam. Those records would lead to the group working with icon artists Bob Dylan, Patti LaBelle, and James Brown. When the resurgence of teen pop arrived in the late nineties, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and ‘N Sync were all blessed with the Full Force magic.
Second Listen Sunday : Daron Jones, The Unofficial Diary of Daron Jones
Daron Jones made a name for himself in nineties R&B as a member of 112, in addition to writing songs for the likes of Usher, Pink, and Jamie Foxx. In 2010 five years after the release of 112’s fifth album, Mr. Jones released his first solo album, Uncensored. However, I wanted to look at one of Daron’s cover EPs this week.
Slow Jam Saturday: Mary J Blige, Never Been
Often times a legendary artist can do something that makes a fan lose interest for a while. For me, that artist was Mary J. Blige in the late nineties. I instantly became a huge fan of Ms. Blige after her first album, What’s The 411?
Second Listen Sunday: The Colleagues, Another Love Story
I took the opportunity to listen to an album for this week’s Second Listen Sunday and just put my iPod on random. The album that popped up was Another Love Story from The Colleagues.
Slow Jam Saturday: Total, Kissing You
As my avid readers know, I immensely love the nineties R&B sound. While SWV, TLC, and Xscape were the premier girl groups until Destiny Child hit the scene, I wanted to show some love to Bad Boy’s female R&B trio Total.
Single Review: Jagged Edge, Inseparable
R&B foursome Jagged Edge returns to the music scene with their latest single “Inseparable” from their upcoming 11th studio album, All Original Parts.
Second Listen Sunday: Keith Sweat, Make It Last Forever
Keith Sweat had already spent the last decade honing his music craft as a member of the Harlem band Jamilah when his debut album Make It Last Forever hit record stores on November 24, 1987. Working with producer Teddy Riley on all but one song, Sweat’s first album was led by the single “I Want Her.” The song was an infectious BOP describing how one feels after having an instant attraction to someone.
Slow Jam Saturday: Timberland & Magoo feat. Aaliyah, Man Undercover
The late great Aaliyah Haughton easily avoided the sophomore slump in late summer 1996 when her album One in a Millon hit record stores. Aaliyah’s label lined her up with some of the hottest producers of the time, including Daryl Simmons, Kay-Gee, Jermaine Dupri, and Rashad Smith. However, her tracks with a then up-and-coming Timbaland truly helped Aliyah find a different sound.
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.
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.