Second Listen Sunday: Anita Baker, Rhythm of Love
In the realm of music, it is common for even the most accomplished vocalists to draw scrutiny from industry professionals and fans when they deviate from their established style. In this edition of Second Listen Sunday, I aim to revisit the renowned Anita Baker and her fifth album, “Rhythm of Love.”
Slow Jam Saturday: Xscape
The summer of 2024 is set to be a thrilling season for live music, with the highly anticipated start of ‘The Queens of R&B’ tour. This tour, featuring co-headliners Xscape and SWV and special guests Mya, Total, and 702, promises to be a musical extravaganza. In this exciting context, this week’s Slow Jam Saturday is a perfect opportunity to celebrate Xscape’s ballad ‘Do You Want To,’ the final track from their second album, ‘Off The Hook,’ released in 1995.
Second Listen Sunday: Christopher Williams, Changes
This week’s Second Listen Sunday takes us back to 1992 to pay homage to R&B singer Christopher Williams and his second album ‘Changes.’ This album, a significant milestone in the R&B and soul music scene, was released after Williams’ success in portraying Kareem Akbar in ‘New Jack City,’ setting the stage for his impactful journey in the music world. On December 29, 1992, Williams unveiled his album in record stores, kicking off the promotion with the lead single ‘I’m Dreamin’.
Slow Jam Saturday: Troop, Still In Love
I often reflect on my childhood and realize how fortunate I was when it came to music. So, for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to show appreciation for the R&B quintet Troop and their song “Still in Love” from their self-titled 1988 debut album. Compromised of Rodney Benford, John Harreld, Allen McNeil, Steve Russell, and Reggie Warren, Troop burst onto the scene with the bop “Mamacita,” which featured the production and writing skills of their label mates Gerald Levert and Marc Gordon from LeVert. However, I’m a ballad fan, so it was all about “Still in Love.”
Second Listen Sunday: The O’Jays, Imagination
It’s hard to believe I was in the Air Force twenty years ago. While R&B king Usher dominated the R&B scene with his magnum opus’ Confessions,’ the legendary R&B trio The O’Jays, known for their soulful tunes, quietly dropped a bombshell-their highly anticipated new album ‘Imagination ‘.
Slow Jam Saturday : Eric Benét , I Wanna Be Loved
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I have chosen to revisit the music of 1988, a year particularly significant to me. Contrary to expectations, I have opted to divert attention from the New Jack Swing genre and instead highlight the work of the relatively uncelebrated artist, Mr. Gary Taylor, and his second solo album, “Compassion.” Before gaining widespread recognition, Taylor had established a solid reputation through his collaborations with notable artists such as Vesta Williams, The Dazz Band, and Grover Washington Jr. However, Taylor’s breakthrough moment came with his contributions to The Whispers’ “Just Gets Better with Time.”
Second Listen Sunday: Gary Taylor, Compassion
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I have chosen to revisit the music of 1988, a year particularly significant to me. Contrary to expectations, I have opted to divert attention from the New Jack Swing genre and instead highlight the work of the relatively uncelebrated artist, Mr. Gary Taylor, and his second solo album, “Compassion.” Before gaining widespread recognition, Taylor had established a solid reputation through his collaborations with notable artists such as Vesta Williams, The Dazz Band, and Grover Washington Jr. However, Taylor’s breakthrough moment came with his contributions to The Whispers’ “Just Gets Better with Time.”
Slow Jam Saturday: K. Michelle, Can’t Raise a Man
K. Michelle, a distinct vocalist in the R&B scene, is currently on tour with other notable R&B artists such as Trey Songz, Jahiem, and Keyshia Cole. This presents a perfect opportunity to revisit her second single, ‘Can’t Raise a Man,’ from her debut studio album ‘Rebellious Soul’ (2014), for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.
Second Listen Sunday: Jaheim, Ghetto Classics
Jaheim, a New Jersey-based singer, is currently on “The Love Hard Tour” after a significant break from the music scene. This week, for our Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to revisit his highly anticipated third album, “Ghetto Classics,” released on February 13, 2006. It had been four years since the release of Jaheim’s second album, and while they couldn’t see him vocally, younger singers like Omarion and Chris Brown were the current rage in R&B.
Slow Jam Saturday: Keyshia Cole, I Should Have Cheated
The Princess of Hip Hop Soul, Mrs. Keyshia Cole, is currently headlining the “The Love Hard Tour” with fellow R&B acts Trey Songz, Jahiem, and K. Michelle. So, in that regard, I felt it was only fitting to go back to 2005 and revisit the third single, “I Should Have Cheated,” from her debut album, “The Way It Is,” for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.
Second Listen Sunday: The Weekend, Kiss Land
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I embarked on a musical journey to the Land of Maple Syrup, a nickname for Canada due to its significant maple syrup production. I revisited a pivotal moment in The Weeknd’s career with his major label debut, ‘Kiss Land.’ This album marked a significant transition for The Weeknd, following the success of his 2011 mixtapes’ House of Balloons,’ ‘Thursday,’ and ‘Echoes of Silence,’ and the subsequent compilation album ‘Trilogy.’ ‘Kiss Land’ was his first studio album, a testament to his growth and evolution as an artist, and it was released on September 10, 2013.
Slow Jam Saturday : Kevon Edmonds, Never Let You Down
Frankie Beverly, a renowned music legend, is embarking on his “I Wanna Thank You” Tour, marking the end of his illustrious career. In this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I would like to showcase a cover version of the beloved ballad “Never Let You Down” by Frankie Beverly & Maze.