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.
As the King of Pop’s biopic continues to perform well at the box office, I wanted to revisit one of Michael Jackson’s overlooked solo albums, “Forever, Michael”, released in 1975, for my first Second Listen Sunday of 2026.
As Joe prepares for his upcoming Tiny Desk performance, it’s a fitting time to revisit “U Should Know Me,” one of the hidden gems in his catalog. This song, which he wrote and produced himself, first appeared in 1998 on the soundtrack for “Caught Up”, a hood drama starring Bokeem Woodbine and Cynda Williams.
As fans look forward to his upcoming co-headlining “Nights Like This” tour with Akon, Ne-Yo is smoothly transitioning into country music while still maintaining his R&B roots with his latest single, “Ms. Tundra.” This infectious track is the third release from his forthcoming tenth studio album, “Highway 79,” set for release on July 10 via Compound Entertainment.