Buffalo-based new jack swing group burst onto the scene with the debut single, the catchy “Live and Learn.” However, their self-titled debut also featured an elegant ballad in the form of “I Miss You.” The track starts with an elegant instrumental before lead singer Kevin Scott comes in to croon how he feels about a love lost. The group produces the song along with Lionel Job with a sound in the vein of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The lyrics in the song are relatable, and I am sure anyone can relate to them:
I miss you, it’s been so long
Since I had you wake up next to me
I miss you, I’m coming home
There’s no place that I would rather be
I wake up every morning
And reach to pull you close to me
There’s nothing but the pillow
And not your sexy body I called you up
Just to hear your voice
I can’t wait ’till get home to you
Then we’ll spend some time alone.
Songs about heartbreak were a staple of nineties R&B, and “I Miss You” is an excellent addition to the catalog of nineties slow jams.
Final Grade: A-
“I Miss You” from Joe Public is available on all streaming forms.
Songstress Ashanti was experiencing significant success with two platinum albums at the time of the release of her inaugural holiday project, “Ashanti’s Christmas,” on November 18, 2003. Her label head, Irv Gotti, produced most of the album. This project comprises four original songs co-written by Ashanti, in addition to six cover versions of traditional Christmas standards and carols.
Vocal quartet A Few Good Man contributed two songs to the project: a cover of “Silver Bells” and the ballad “Merry Christmas My Dear,” both of which were produced by Daryl Simmons. Demail Burks, David Morris, Aaron Hilliard, and Tony Amey were the members of the group, and after introducing themselves in the festive video for “Silver Bells,” it was only fitting that they delivered a ballad on the album.
R&B legend Luther Vandross had already solidified his place in R&B when he released his first holiday album, “This Is Christmas. Arriving in stores on October 24, 1995, “This Is Christmas” validates Vandross’s ability to sing anything.