Gary Jenkins, better known as “Lil G” of legendary R&B group Silk, released his solo debut, The Other Side, in July of 2005. During time I served my county as a member of the United States Air Force while stationed in the United Kingdom. I had no idea that “Lil G” released a solo album, but I made sure to track the album down and pay the extra costs to have it shipped to me once I found out.
The singer opens up the album with the confessional “The Interview,” where he goes into why he departed the group Silk. Jenkins never takes shots at his other group members but instead wants the world to know he can do more than sing about sex. Jenkins than Segway’s into the southern juke joint flavored “The Other Side” and “Friday Night,” both of which re surefire steppers anthems. Jenkins also dabbles in jazz on “Everybody Dreams,” which I could see flipped into a gospel song.
Fans of the slow jam will be pleased with “The Sound,” “So Sexy,” and “Loving You,” which G sings with ease and avoids trying to repeat the signature Silk sound. My favorite song on the project would have to be Jenkins’s cover of Sam Cooke’s “Change Gone Come,” where he takes us to church and does the legendary Cooke justice.
Gary Jenkins is multi-talented in numerous entertainment avenues. The Other Side eloquently showcases the facets of Lil G. If you are expecting a rehash of Silk, then you may be disappointed. However, if you want some grown man R&B, I highly recommend The Other Side.
Final Grade: B
Top Tracks: “Change Gone Come,” “The Sound,” “So Sexy,” and “Loving You”
The Other Side is available on all streaming platforms.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I took a trip back to 2007 and revisited “Don’t Talk Just Listen” from the group B5. Hailing from the Peach State, B5 comprised the Breeding Brothers, Bryan, Carnell, Dustin, Kelly, and Patrick. Initially finding success two years earlier with their cover of The Jackson 5’s “All I Do,” their debut did just enough with their preteen fans to warrant a second album.
With the exception of a few cases, R&B groups experienced a period of stagnation in 2007. While some groups continued to tour and perform their renowned classics, releasing new music was infrequent. To commemorate this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I would like to acknowledge a notable piece from Jagged Edge’s sixth album, “Baby Makin Project,” titled “Whole Town’s Laughing At Me.”
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, we are taking a trip to the Great Lake State and showing some love to R&B Band Ready for The World and their self-titled debut album. Arriving in stores on May 14, 1985, via MCA Records, the album on which the band produced their first single was “Tonight.”
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