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.
Slow Jam Saturday: Nicole Wray, Eyes Better Not Wander
Too often in the R&B genre, an artist can get written off as a one-hit wonder even though they’ve continued to release music. Nicole Wray (who now goes by the stage name Lady Wray) is one such artist.
Second Listen Sunday: Public Announcement, All Work No Play
Numerous R&B groups have fallen into obscurity following the departure of the lead singer. One such group was Public Announcement which collaborated with a disgraced R&B singer for a 1992 project.
Slow Jam Saturday: Dru Hill, Enchantment Passing Through
R&B quartet Dru Hill was basking in the success of their sophomore album Enter the Dru and preparing to embark on its supporting tour when they appeared on the concept album Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida.
Flashback Friday Album: Jesse Powell, Bout It with Special Guest Vocalz Iz
Having previously revisited the late great Jesse Powell’s first, third and fourth albums, I wanted to bring on a music head to discuss Powell’s second album, Bout It. Arriving in stores on September 8, 1998, Powell’s sophomore album featured the hit song “You”. While R&B fans first heard the song on Powell’s debut, it was officially a single on this album.
Second Listen Sunday: Jesse Powell, Jesse
As we continue to pay tribute to the musical career of Jesse Powell for this week’s Second Listen Sunday, let’s revisit the singer’s fourth and final album, 2003’s Jesse. Powell’s fourth album arrived in stores on October 14, 2003, in a joint venture between D3 Entertainment, Monopoly Music, and Riviera Records.
Slow Jam Saturday: A Look Back At Jesse Powell’s self-titled debut
Nineties R&B fans were dealt a huge blow this past Tuesday when news broke of singer Jesse Powell’s transition to the heavenly gates. While the singer hadn’t released an album in nearly two decades, his name always comes up among real R&B fans.
Second Listen Sunday: Al Green, I’m Still In Love With You
Al Green was already an established force in music when his fifth album, I’m Still in Love with You, hit record stores on October 23, 1972. Green had released Let’s Stay Together earlier that year.
Slow Jam Saturday: Fantasia, I Nominate U
Season 3 American Idol winner Fantasia followed up her platinum-selling debut Free Yourself with her self-titled sophomore album in December 2006. The two big singles from Fantasia were “Hood Boy” and “When I See U.”