Slow Jam Saturday : Boyz II Men, Let It Snow
R&B quartet Boyz II Men were still basking in their massively successful single “End of the Road” when their first-holiday album, Christmas Interpretations, hit stores in the fall of 1993. The first single from the album was “Let It Snow,” and while the group could have gone the pop route and just covered the Vaughn Monroe standard, the four gents from Philly delivered a holiday slow jam classic.
Second Listen Sunday : Dru Hill, Christmas In Baltimore
After releasing their fourth album, 2010’s InDRUpendence Day, R&B quartet Dru Hill gifted fans with its first-holiday album with 2017’s Christmas in Baltimore.
Slow Jam Saturday : Anthony Hamilton, What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas
Anthony Hamilton was nearly two decades into his career, with five albums to his credit, when he released his first Christmas album, Home for the Holidays, in 2014. Hamilton’s Christmas project featured the usual Christmas standards such as “The Christmas Song,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” and “Please Come Home for Christmas.”
Second Listen Sunday : Carl Thomas, Emotional
While Thomas has a capable voice, a few of these could’ve made soundtrack or mixtape appearances. Nevertheless, Emotional is still an impressive debut.
Slow Jam Saturday : Faith Evans, Never Gonna Let You Go
Faith Evans, Never Gonna Let You Go
Second Listen Sunday : New Kids On The Block, Face The Music
Arriving in stores on January 25, 1994, Face the Music was led by the single “If You Go Away,” which initially appeared on the group’s 1991 greatest hits album. John Bettis, Trey Lorenz, and Walter Afanasieff, with Afanasieff also serving as producer, wrote the song, which is a lush ballad.
Slow Jam Saturday : New Edition, Rewrite The Memories
“Re-Write the Memories” from One Love is available on all streaming platforms.
While the first half of the album focuses on up-tempo radio-friendly material, New Edition gets their grown man on in the album’s second half. NE reunited with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for track number fourteen, “Re-Write the Memories.”
Slow Jam Saturday : PJ Morton, Please Don’t Walk Away
Since 2012, PJ Morton has served as one of the keyboardists for pop/rock band Maroon 5. However, he also has a successful solo discography that includes seven solo albums, four live albums, two EP’S, and one mixtape. Morton is currently working hard on his eighth solo album and recently released the first single, “Please Don’t Walk Away.”
Second Listen Sunday : Omarion , 21
In early 2005, former B2K front man Omarion enjoyed a US Billboard number one debut and eventually a gold-selling album with his first solo album, O. Omarion’s debut featured three hit singles, and he could have easily gone on tour for the album for at least another year. Chris Brown was still months away from breaking into the industry, so the lane was there for Omarion.
Second Listen Sunday : Switch, Switch
Earlier this week, Tommy DeBarge of R&B Band Switch, and the famous musical family, DeBarge, was laid to rest. I wanted to look back at Tommy’s Motown debut with his group Switch. The group was not a stranger to the industry, having previously recorded as White Heat and Hot Ice. Switch arrived in record stores on June 17th, 1978.
Second Listen Slow Jam Saturday : The GAP Band, Seasons No Reason To Change
R&B music suffered another loss earlier this week when Ronnie Wilson, a founding member of The GAP Band, passed away. While mainstream music listeners know Charlie Wilson’s name, I wanted to highlight Ronnie and his pen game.
Second Listen Sunday : Ray J, This Ain’t A Game
Following a successful two-year stint on the sitcom Moesha, R&B singer Ray J resumed his recording career. The singer’s sophomore disc, This Ain’t a Game, arrived in stores on June 19th, 2001. In the summer of 2001, The Neptunes sound was everywhere, so it was a no-brainer to work with them on the first single, “Wait a Minute.”