R&B lover man Keith Sweat already had an impressive three-album discography to his credit when he released his fourth album Get Up On It in June of 994. The lead single was the up-tempo “How Do You Like It”, which featured Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of TLC. While I can understand where R&B was at the time, it actually made sense for the lead single to be an up-tempo number.
However, after his breakthrough first album, Keith’s strong point for me are in his ballads and slow jams. Thus, the second single from Get Up On It titled “When I Give My Love” still ranks high in my personal playlist of Keith Sweat slow jams. Sweat wrote and produced the song with Fitzgerald Scott and Joe Jefferson. The song starts with an intro that slowly creeps up on the listener before beginning with the chorus and then transitioning into the first verse.
From the moment Sweat croons the first verse “Hush, my baby, baby, don’t say a word, I got so much love for you, girl, haven’t you heard. Now I’m on a mission, girl, my intuition says you should be mine, I should be yours”, you know you have a classic on your hands. The album version of the song clocks in at over six minutes, yet Sweat never over sings the song or becomes repetitive with his delivery of the lyrics.
I also enjoyed the video for the song as it pays homage to the seventies classic film Cooley High. I have had the pleasure of seeing Keith Sweat live in concert twice, and even own his live DVD, Keith Sweat, The Sweat Hotel Live. However, much to my dismay, I have never heard the song live, nor is there a remix for it.
Nevertheless, “When I Give My Love” is as forgotten gem in Keith’s already impressive catalog.
Final Grade: A
Get Up On It is available on all streaming platforms
Following a successful world tour supporting their first two albums, R&B trio SWV returned to the studio to begin work on album #3, Release Some Tension. Arriving in record stores on August 12th, 1997, Release Some Tension was led by the single “Can We” (featuring Missy Elliott).
“Come Around” from Dos of Soul falls into that category and is this week’s Slow Jam Saturday selection.
Dos of Soul was a quartet of three male singers and one female.
Soul singer David Ruffin had already earned his place in R&B history during his days as the lead singer of the iconic group, The Temptations. Over the next twelve years, Ruffin would release eight additional solo albums, including this week’s Second Listen Sunday selection, Gentleman Ruffin.
Reviews And Dunn is a unique blog showcasing all things cinema, music & theater.