Johnny Gill, Provocative
Derrick Dunn

Derrick Dunn

Way back Wednesday Album Review: Johnny Gill, Provocative

Johnny Gill had already released two solo albums and a duet album with childhood friend Stacy Lattisaw when he joined New Edition in 1987. After helping the group shed its bubblegum image and emerge as a mature R&B group, Gill released his third solo in 1990 to the success of two million sold. Gill then contributed the songs “I’m Still Waiting,” “There U Go” and “Let’s Just Run Away” to the soundtracks of the films New Jack City, Boomerang and Mo’ Money.

On June 8th, 1993, Gill released his fourth solo album, Provocative. The album’s first single “The Floor” finds Gill reuniting with hit makers Jimmy Jim & Terry Lewis and features a cameo appearance from Stokely of Mint Condition. 

Twenty-seven years later, the song still sounds fresh and is one of Johnny’s lesser-known hits. Gill kept the up-tempo momentum going for the album’s second single, the Boyz II Men written “I Got You.” While known for his ballads, Gill could pack a dance just as well as could set the mood for the bedroom. One of my personal favorites from this album that was never a single is “A Cute, Sweet, Love Addiction.”

However, we all know that Gill is a balladeer, and the album’s next two singles deliver the goods. L.A. & Babyface, who provided Gill with his signature song “My, My, My,” reunited with the singer for the album’s third single “Long Way From Home.” The soaring ballad details a man seeking a woman out who’s out on her own for the first time in life. I’m almost positive during the song’s release; it was a staple for college dorms and first duty military stations.

“Quiet Time To Play” was the album’s final single and is signature Gill. A grown man slow jam that never ventures in vulgarity or corniness. Instead, the song showcases why Gill is one of his generation’s best singers if you’ve never heard the live version, head over to YouTube for a musical treat.

The rest of the album is a mixture of up-tempo songs and ballads. Rapper L.L. Cool J contributes to the writing on the ballad “Mastersuite.” 

In hindsight, Gill just repeated the formula that made his first album a success. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis oversaw the bulk of the album’s production as they brought out the best in Gill vocally.

Sadly despite quality production and lush vocals, Provocative only went gold. Similar to the New Edition spin-off act, Bell Biv DeVoe’s sophomore album Hootie Mack which was released a week before to the same sales figures, I blame the delay in releasing the album and the shift in music on the stalled sales. Ideally, had Gill released this album in the fall or winter of 1992, I do think the sales would’ve been more substantial, as nothing on this album has a summertime feel.

Nevertheless, Gill is a capable vocalist, and Provocative is a worthy follow up to his breakthrough 1990 album. Provocative is available on all streaming platforms.

Final Re-Listen Grade: B +

Best Songs: “The Floor,” “A Cute, Sweet, Love Addiction,” “Quiet Time To Play,” “Long Way From Home,” “Mastersuite”

Movie Clappers

More reviews to explorer

Second Listen Sunday: Night And Day

I have previously mentioned the perks of growing up in the nineties, particularly discovering a great R&B gem on a movie soundtrack. Often, artists would release a track on a soundtrack, building anticipation for an album that might not even be released. This week’s Second Listen Sunday featured artist Night & Day falls into the former group.

Slow Jam Saturday: 702, Get It Together

For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to give some flowers to R&B trio 702 and their ballad “Get It Together.” In the spring of 1995, I was introduced to the group as they joined label mates Subway for the “This Lil Game We Play” ballad. The group gained popularity a year later with their single, “Steelo.” However, it was their second single, “Get It Together,” that I was eagerly looking forward to hearing live when I saw them open up for New Edition on the 1997 Home Again tour.

Single Review: Musiq Soulchild – Just Friends (Sunny) (DJ Soulchild Remix)

DJ Soulchild, a talented Remix Phenom from Switzerland delivers another remix for 2024 perfect for the dance floor. He added his unique style to Musiq Soulchild’s debut single, “Just Friends,” which was initially released in 2000 as the third single from the “Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).” DJ Soulchild has returned to the City of Brotherly Love to bless his fans with this fantastic new track.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

© Copyright Reviews & Dunn. All rights reserved

website designed by Red Robin Digital designers