R&B songstress Gina Thompson is most remembered for her 1996 debut single “Nobody Does It Better” and the Bad Boy Remix featuring Missy Elliott, who gained notability and mainstream attention for her unique signature, “Hee-Hee-How” punchline.
While that song kills some catalogs, I wanted to give Gina props for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday for her cover of Anita Baker’s “Angel.” Gina’s version is the fifth track on her debut album.
I’ve always felt that “Angel” is a song that celebrates the strength, tenderness, and security we find in our partners. Similar to Anita, Gina expresses admiration for her love and willingness to do whatever it takes to keep the relationship strong. The lyrics convey that their passion is heaven-sent, filling them with joy and protecting them when times get tough. In the end, the vocals assure their partner that they are unique to them.
Shout out to Rodney Jerkins, whose production allowed Gina to make the song her own.
Final Grade: B
“Angel” from Nobody Does It Better is available on all streaming platforms.
This past Friday marked the 40th anniversary of “The Voice,” a.k.a. Whiney Houston’s self-titled debut album hitting stores. So, in that regard, it was only right to give Nippy her flowers for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
For this weekend’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to take a trip to Motor City and show some love to soul singer Dwele. It was 2005, and I was living in the UK as part of my Air Force enlistment. Dwele had just released his second album, “Some Kinda,” enjoying some chart success with the lead single “I Think I Love U,” by Mike City.
The remainder of the album maintains a classic R&B vibe, showcasing the group’s signature sound. One of the standout tracks is “Maybe Tomorrow,” featuring the iconic Phyllis Hyman. It transforms difficult circumstances into positive outcomes—essentially making lemonade from lemons.