For this week’s slow jam Saturday, I wanted to highlight a track from an ill-fated reunion album that should have been more successful. After releasing their second album, The Future, Guy took a hiatus in 1990. Group members and brothers Aaron and Damion Hall would release solo albums, while Teddy Riley would become an in-demand producer and form another group, Blackstreet.
Despite two soundtrack appearances (“Tell Me What You Like” from New York Undercover and “The Best” from Wild Wild West), it seemed like the group’s reunion would never come to fruition. The R&B trio finally reunited officially, and their third album Guy III hit stores on January 25, 2000. The first single, “Dancin’,” would become the group’s highest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100. While the follow-up single “Why You Wanna Keep Me from My Baby” wasn’t as successful, it showcased the pristine vocals of Aaron Hall.
“Love Online,” “Tellin Me No,” and “Not A Day” were all also strong album tracks and are still in my rotation today.
However, one particular song from Guy III is my favorite. “Rescue Me” was produced by Teddy Riley, Daryl “Dezo” Adams, and Walter “Mucho” Scott. The production trio did a creative sample of “Dedicated To The One I Love” by The Tempress. “Resuce Me” starts with a man calling his lady to check on her and realizing she is going through something. From there, listeners experience a five-minute slow jam that showcases the production talent of Teddy Riley and the vocal prowess of the Hall Brothers.
MCA should have released this one as a single, and I can only imagine how great it would sound in concert.
Final Grade: A-
Guy III is available on all streaming platforms.
Nineties R&B fans had an exciting moment last week when rumors began circulating that vocal powerhouses Brandy and Monica are reportedly embarking on “The Boy Is Mine Tour” this fall. While no official announcement has been made yet, with Monica’s debut album “Miss Thang” celebrating its 30th anniversary next month, I thought it would be the perfect pick for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
As Black Music Month 2025 continues, I wanted to give flowers to “The Queen of Funk,” Ms. Chaka Khan, for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. The song I decided to highlight is “Through the Fire.”
If there were ever a question on Jeopardy with a category about R&B bands and the question centered on Cameo, I’m sure it would be on one of their signature songs, “Candy” or “Word Up!”