Welcome to the first edition of a possible new weekly series I like to call Slow Jam Saturday. Anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I prefer ballads and slow jams to any up-tempo material. Therefore, my new series will highlight my favorite slow jams and ballads from my favorite artists. One of my favorite singers, Jon B., returns to The Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria Hall on August 29th. Therefore, I chose to highlight some of Jon’s solo work and songs he has written for other artists as the first artist for Slow Jam Saturday.
Jon B. hit the scene in 1995 with the release of his debut single; the Babyface assisted “Someone To Love,” which also appeared on the soundtrack to Bad Boys. On May 23rd, 1995, Bonafide arrived in stores and was supported by the singles “Pretty Girl” and the final single “Isn’t It Scary,” which serves as my first pick for Slow Jam Saturday.
“Isn’t It Scary” is the tenth song on Jon’s debut and serves as a Mr. Steal Your Girl anthem. With its lush harmony and pristine vocals, “Isn’t It Scary” was a secret weapon in my single days. Nevertheless though, in 2021, someone will try to look at the lyrics for some internet clout in an attempt to cancel Jon. However, we as grown men know that if you are not handling your business in every avenue when it comes to your woman, someone else will.
“Isn’t It Scary” is also the perfect transition into the sensual track that follows “Burning 4 You.” Twenty-six years later, the song still holds up for me with its messages and is always a highlight whenever I see Jon live. For my DMV readers, I highly encourage you to check out Jon B. later this month when he performs. Tickets are available for purchase at The Venue’s Box Office and Ticketmaster.com.
Final Grade: A
Bonafide 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.