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.
DeVanté Swing of Jodeci was the writer and producer of this song, and it features Swing’s signature production. Fresh off his success overseeing his group’s second album, Swing was a high in demand producer. 1995 saw him working with Usher, H-Town, and overseeing 99% of the production on the debut of female R&B group Sista, in which Missy Elliot was a member.
The R&B sound of the nineties was a special time, and Swing could honestly do no wrong. He was one of the top producers during the early nineties, however, his contributions rarely receive mention by the mainstream. “Keep It Right There” solidifies this as Cassandra opens up the song with a sultry vocal crooning:
“Anytime I need you baby you gave good love
And every time I turn around you’re all that I’m thinking of
Lately, you think our relation going too fast
Can we try it tonight now baby can we make it last”
Before Charrisse comes through on the chorus eloquently chanting
“Keep it right there keep it right there if you wanna please me
Keep it right there keep it right there and I’ll make it easy
Keep it right there keep it right there if you wanna please me
Keep it right there keep it right there and I’ll make it easy”.
The ladies’ voices sound wonderfully harmonious over the nearly 3 ½ minute slow jam. The one thing about DeVanté Swing’s production is that you always know his sound when you hear it. Honestly, the song could’ve easily found a place on Jodeci’s second or third album as well, but I’m ecstatic that Swing gave the song to a female artist instead. While Changing Faces fans may consider their collaborations with the nameless producer as signature songs, “Keep It Right There” is a personal favorite.
Final Grade: A –
“Keep It Right There” is available on all streaming platforms
It’s hard to believe that an iconic singing competition like American Idol has produced only two Black male winners in its more than two-and-a-half-decade history. Jamal Roberts made history last year when he won the show, following Ruben Studdard’s well-deserved victory in Season Two.
One wonderful aspect of supporting physical media is that I never run short of albums to choose from when deciding what to cover for Second Listen Sunday. Often, I’ll head to the man cave, browse through my CD collection, and an album will pop out at me. This week’s pick is T-Pain’s fourth album, “Revolver.”
One of my favorite singers, Mr. Eric Roberson, is performing this weekend at America’s legendary music venue, The Birchmere. To show Eric some love, I want to highlight something longtime R&B fans have always known: he’s had remarkable songwriting talent.