Faith Evans released her second album, Keep the Faith, in 1998, which featured the hit singles “Love Like This” and “All Night Long.” Both songs sampled seventies classics and made audiences want to dance. While the songs are classics, I’ve always preferred Faith’s ballads. Honestly, Keep the Faith is full of romantic gems, such as the 112 duet “Caramel Kisses” and the Diane Warren written, “Lately I.” However, the album’s third single, “Never Gonna Let You Go,” earns the Slow Jam Saturday slot.
Damon Thomas and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds co-wrote and produced the song, a lovely ballad about agape love for your partner. The moment Evans belts out, “If I had one wish boy, I’d wish you next to me,” the listener knows they are going on a blissful musical journey. Evans’s passion in the song is something any woman who has ever had that kind of love for someone can relate to. While for me as a man, I felt that Evans was singing to me.
The song was Evans second time working with Babyface after their elegant ballad “Kissing You” from the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack three years prior. It’s hard to believe that initially, Faith Evans didn’t think the song was going to be a hit, but now it’s one of her signature ballads. I first heard the song when I purchased the audio cassette of Keep the Faith in my junior year of high school. I instantly knew that the song would be a feature in my wedding when that time came.
Ten years later, when I jumped the broom, I let my fiancée know I wanted her to walk down the aisle to the song. I still remember my family and friends all smiling in unison as my wife was walked down the aisle by her late grandfather to the elegant vocals of Mrs. Evans. Twenty-three years later, “Never Gonna Let You Go” still holds up and will forever remain a timeless song about love.
Final Grade: A
“Never Gonna Let You Go” is available on all streaming platforms.
Missy Elliott, a versatile artist, is currently performing at various venues nationwide as part of her inaugural headlining tour, “OUT OF THIS WORLD—THE EXPERIENCE.” I had the opportunity to attend a preview of the tour last year, and I’m eagerly anticipating the upcoming show scheduled for this Thursday in Baltimore, Maryland.
There’s no denying the exceptional talent of Canadian singer Tamia, whose voice stands out as one of the most distinctive in R&B. Her introduction to the music scene was marked by her captivating performances in two songs, the soulful ballad “You Put A Move on my Heart” and the Babyface duet “Slow Jams,” both featured on the 1995 Quincy Jones album Q’s Jook Joint. Tamia’s collaborations with Brandy, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan and her contribution to the legendary ballad “Missing You” further solidified her reputation as a powerhouse in the industry.
In the 1990s, R&B music was dominated by vocal groups known for their captivating lead singers and smooth harmonies. This week, I wanted to highlight IV Xample and their single “I’d Rather Be Alone” for Slow Jam Saturday.