Growing up in the nineties, I had the chance to experience a plethora of R&B singers. The market had such a colossal saturation that often, a singer would get lost in the shuffle. Lorenzo Smith, this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday, is one such artist.
Lorenzo initially hit the scene in 1990 with his debut titled Let Me Show You featuring the low charting singles “Tic Tok” and the album’s titular track. While his debut didn’t make too much noise, Lorenzo had a chance to redeem himself with his sophomore album.
Arriving in stores in 1992 and carrying the moniker Lorenzo the album opens up with the lead single, “Real Love.” A catchy New Jack swing number, the song was a great introduction for those who may have missed his debut album.
Lorenzo keeps the new jack swing vibes flowing on the album’s second song, “Saving My Love,” which gave him a chance to show off his songwriting ability. Since Lorenzo is only 19, the song lyrics have a bit of a bubble gum sound. However, the singer delivers them honestly. As for the rest of the up-tempo numbers, they are not particularly memorable. In my opinion, they come across as juvenile and filler material.
As most music heads will attest to many times in nineties R&B, the ballads or slow jams were usually weaker if a singer had robust up-tempo material. On the flip side, if the slow jams were fire, the up-tempo material was mediocre. For Lorenzo’s second project, he showcased a more substantial side with slower material.
The album’s second (“Make Love 2 Me”) and third (“I Can’t Stand The Pain)” singles didn’t chart as high as the debut single. The former reached No. 21 on the R&B charts, while the latter hit No. 22. However, they validated the route Lorenzo should’ve taken with his music, which was slow jams. Producers Fitzgerald Scott & Joe Jefferson provided Lorenzo with the music for “Make Love 2 Me,” and the singer croons the lyrics in typical nineties style but sells it so well.
While Lorenzo explored sensuality in the second single, then heartbreak was the mood for the third single. “I Can’t Stand The Pain” features a relatable message with its sincere lyrics. The remainder of the ballads showcase Lorenzo’s vocal stylings; honestly, if the writers gave some of the songs to a more established singer, they would become hits. In particular, “Tic Tok (which previously appeared on his debut album) validates that Lorenzo was an old soul stuck in a teen idol’s body.
Final Grade: B
Lorenzo is available on all streaming platforms
For their second single, the group presented a ballad entitled “Feels Like The First Time.” Once again, Greene handles the lyrics, while Neville Hodge is responsible for production duties. Greene begins the song with robust energy, proclaiming his love for the lady. Greene’s group members provide stellar work on the background vocals, and the songs eschew nineties R&B without going into crass vulgarity.
The ballad was composed by Michael Masser and lyricist Gerry Goffin, and it was first recorded by Dionne Warwick in 1981. Eight years later, Natalie Cole covered the song, shortening the title. It became the fourth single from her twelfth album, “Good to Be Back.”
Braxton’s vocal talent is perfect on the standards “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song.” However, like any good R&B Christmas album, it is the soulful yuletide bops where Braxton truly shines. The album’s first single, “Snowflakes of Love,” is instrumental of Earl Klugh’s “Now We’re One”. Braxton’s lush vocals encapsulate the warmth and joy of romantic love amidst a wintery backdrop.