Second Listen Sunday : Shalamar, Three For Love
The classic Shalamar lineup of Howard Hewett, Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel followed their third album, Big Fun, with 1980s Three for Love. Reuniting with iconic producer Leon Sylvers III for album number four, Three for Love hit record stores on December 15th just in time for the holiday season. Three for Love also found the group contributing to the writing and funk band Lakeside.
Slow Jam Saturday: Changing Faces, Keep It Right There
Cassandra Lucas and Charrisse Rose, better known as Changing Faces, started as backing vocalists for Sybil in the music industry. In 1994, the duo released their debut self-titled album, which featured two lead singles, “Stroke You Up” and “Foolin Around,” by a writer/producer who shall remain nameless. Instead, I want to focus on the album’s third single, “Keep It Right There,” for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday selection.
Second Listen Sunday: SWV , Release Some Tension
Following a successful world tour supporting their first two albums, R&B trio SWV returned to the studio to begin work on album #3, Release Some Tension. Arriving in record stores on August 12th, 1997, Release Some Tension was led by the single “Can We” (featuring Missy Elliott).
Slow Jam Saturday : Dos Of Soul, Come Around
“Come Around” from Dos of Soul falls into that category and is this week’s Slow Jam Saturday selection.
Dos of Soul was a quartet of three male singers and one female.
Second Listen Sunday : David Ruffin, Gentleman Ruffin
Soul singer David Ruffin had already earned his place in R&B history during his days as the lead singer of the iconic group, The Temptations. Over the next twelve years, Ruffin would release eight additional solo albums, including this week’s Second Listen Sunday selection, Gentleman Ruffin.
Slow Jam Saturday : Force MD’S, Here I Go Again
The world of R&B kicked off 2022 with a somber tone when GOD called Jesse Daniels, of the Force MDs, home. In honor of Mr. Daniels, I wanted to take it back to the group’s second album Chillin’ and showcase the ballad “Here I Go Again”.
Single Review : Bryan Abrams, Because Of You
Initially of the group Color Me Badd, Bryan Abrams is back on the scene with a brand new single titled “Because of You.” An elegant ballad, “Because of You” reunites Abrams with this longtime collaborator Hamza Lee, who assists in the song’s production.
Second Listen Sunday : Silk, A Gift From Silk
In 2005 R&B group, Silk followed up their first album as a quartet 2003’s, Silktime, with a Christmas EP titled A Gift from Silk. On November 29, 2005, the EP hit stores with then group members Big G, Jimmy, Timzo, and John John displaying their vocal talents for the holiday season.
Slow Jam Saturday : J-Stylz, Christmas Without You
J-Stylz, formerly of the legendary group Blackstreet, gave fans a wonderful holiday slow jam last year with “Christmas Without You.” The song starts with J-Stylz professing his intentions for his lady love but simply stating that all he wants for Christmas is you!
Second Listen Sunday : B2K, Santa Hooked Me Up
Their debut achieved gold status and the concerts stayed sold out. Prior to releasing their third album Pandemonium in December of that year, label execs had the bright idea to release a Christmas album. Arriving in stores on October 29, 2002, Santa Hooked Me Up is clearly a cash grab for the tween crowd of the time.
Slow Jam Saturday : Ne-Yo, I Want To Come Home For Christmas
R&B singer Ne-Yo released his first Christmas album, Another Kind Of Christmas, in 2019. For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday selection, I chose to highlight his cover of Marvin Gaye’s “I Want to Come Home for Christmas.”
Second Listen Sunday :Daron Jones, Christmas In Atlanta
Daron Jones had already made a name for himself as a founding member of 112 in addition to writing for the likes of Usher, Jamie Foxx, and 112 when he released his Christmas album, Christmas in Atlanta, on November 30th, 2015. Jones opens the project with Christmas in the Air, a midtempo bop that showcases Daron’s brisk baritone.