After their 1990 sophomore album release, The Future, R&B trio Guy began an extended hiatus. Teddy Riley went on to form another group, Blackstreet and then become an in-demand producer. While Aaron Hall would go on to start his solo career with the risqué ballad “Don’t Be Afraid.” Like most R&B fans, I was curious to know what the third member of Guy, Damion “Crazy Legs” Hall, would do.
Hall previously showcased his solo vocal talents on the Forte song “Holding On” from the Zebrahead soundtrack two years prior, and did some Gospel plays here and there. However, not many folks know Hall released a solo project in 1994. For that reason, I wanted to give Hall the Slow Jam Saturday spotlight with his 1994 debut solo single “Satisfy You” feat. Chanté Moore. Bryan Loren handles production on the track and caters well to Hall’s voice.
Music heads know that the song was initially offered to Michael Jackson during the recording sessions for “Dangerous.” The King of Pop passed on the song but let the song’s producer, Bryan Loren, know he would sing backup if Loren kept the song for himself.
Set to a luxuriant instrumental sound, “Satisfy You” exemplifies nineties R&B. Hall opens the song crooning, “Hey girl, my only wish is to satisfy you.” He then takes his vocal register up a tad over the track, allowing the listener to feel Hall’s emotion for his lady. The icing on the cake in the song, though, is the vocal compliments that Moore and Hall’s voices give each other.
“Satisfy You” was the perfect song to introduce Hall as a solo artist, and hearing the song validates that the singer should have had more chances to sing lead on Guy’s tracks. Hall never tries to emulate his older brother but instead shows his own style in a great way.
Final Grade: A
“Satisfy You” isn’t available on any major streaming platforms; however, it is available on YouTube.
For their second single, the group presented a ballad entitled “Feels Like The First Time.” Once again, Greene handles the lyrics, while Neville Hodge is responsible for production duties. Greene begins the song with robust energy, proclaiming his love for the lady. Greene’s group members provide stellar work on the background vocals, and the songs eschew nineties R&B without going into crass vulgarity.
The ballad was composed by Michael Masser and lyricist Gerry Goffin, and it was first recorded by Dionne Warwick in 1981. Eight years later, Natalie Cole covered the song, shortening the title. It became the fourth single from her twelfth album, “Good to Be Back.”
Braxton’s vocal talent is perfect on the standards “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song.” However, like any good R&B Christmas album, it is the soulful yuletide bops where Braxton truly shines. The album’s first single, “Snowflakes of Love,” is instrumental of Earl Klugh’s “Now We’re One”. Braxton’s lush vocals encapsulate the warmth and joy of romantic love amidst a wintery backdrop.