Flashback Friday Album Review Special Generation, Butterflies
Following the release of their 1990 debut, the group returned to the scene with 1992’s Butterflies. Special Generation’s sophomore release found the group working with LeVert members Marc Gordon and Gerald Levert.
Flashback Friday Album Review: Tevin Campbell, Back to the World
In October of 1993, at the age of sixteen, soul singer Tevin Campbell released his second solo album. I’m Ready featured the massive hit single “Can We Talk.” Campbell would later go on to sell two million copies of the album and receive three Grammy nominations. Already displaying a vocal skill well beyond his years, Tevin grew up with his music on his third album, Back to the World.
EP Review: Kevin Ross, Audacity, Vol. 2
R&B prodigy Kevin Ross recently released his project of 2020, the lovely Audacity, Vol. 2 on the Art Society Music Group. Ross opens up the project with “God Is a Genius,” a lush ballad recalling a seventies Stevie Wonder. Based on the song title, I was expecting some Gospel inspired; instead, Ross gives listeners a bop about soulmates and destiny.
Album Review: Trey Songz, Back Home
Virginia native Trey Songz, affectionately known as “Mr. Steal Your Girl,” is back on the scene with Back Home. The singer’s eighth album finds him reuniting with iconic producer Troy Taylor for his most consistent project since his 2009 breakthrough Ready.
Flashback Friday Album Review: Vocalz Iz, Relationship Gumbo Redux
Relationship Gumbo Redux opens with “Gonna Get You,” an up-tempo number tailor-made for the clubs. The production recalls the late nineties R & B sound, which I love. I also appreciate the auto-tune omission, as we get a chance to hear the singer’s smooth vocals.
EP Review: RL, The Letter J
To tide over his fans until the release of his next project, tentatively titled Rtv, RL of the R&B group recently released a four-song EP entitled The Letter J. The E.P. pays homage to the eighties and nineties sound I grew up on. RL opens up The Letter J E.P. with “Whatever You Need.” The singer puts a modern-day spin on Jodeci’s “My Heart Belongs to U.” The song also has a brilliant homage to the late great Roger Troutman.
Album Review: 112, Forever
R&B group 112 returns to the scene with their latest release, Forever. The group is now a duo comprised of members Marvin “Slim” Scandrick and Michael “Mike” Keith. While the other two former members of the group Q Parker and Daron Jones are pursuing separate ventures, the question on everyone’s mind is how does the group sound?
Throwback Tuesday Album Review: Frankie, My Heart Belongs To You
One of the most extraordinary things about growing up in the nineties was experiencing the domination of R&B music on radio waves. While there were classic albums, quite a few albums fell under the radar, including My Heart Belongs To You by Washington D.C. based R&B singer Frankie.
Single Review: Usher, Bad Habits
Following his spring 2020 ditty ” Don’t Waste My Time, “R&B singer Usher returns to the scene with his latest song “Bad Habits.” A midtempo number Bad Habits, is better than anything on Usher’s A EP and his last album Hard II Love. Pierre Medor and Theron (of Rock City) handle production on the song, which finds Usher admitting to his current flame that he can’t stay faithful.
Single Review: Omar Wilson, “The Secret Garden” feat. Sisqó, Shawn Stockman & Raheem DeVaughn
One of the most iconic R&B songs of all time, “The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)” receives a 2020 cover version. The original version was from Quincy Jones’s Back On The Black album and featured American R&B singers Al B. Sure!, James Ingram, El DeBarge, and Barry White.
Album Review: Brandy, B7
Songstress and actress Brandy returns to the scene with her seventh studio album, B7, via her own label Brand Nu and eOne Music.
Album Review: Jagged Edge, A Jagged Love Story
Atlanta based R&B group, Jagged Edge, returns to the music scene with their double album A Jagged Love Story. The group comprising twins Brandon & Brian Casey, Kyle Norman, and Richard Wingo have been a force in the music industry since the 1997 debut A Jagged Era.