Vocalist Michael Cooper had already displayed his talents in the vocal group Con Funk Shun. He then blessed fans with his solo debut, Love Is Such a Funny Game, in 1987. For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to give Cooper flowers for that album’s second single, “Dinner For Two.”
Cooper’s authoritative yet passionate tenor is enhanced by a thumping bassline, a sax introduction, and silky background vocals, which combine to form a compelling vocal ethos. Lyrically, the song tells us about a man expressing his desire to take a woman he is interested in out on a date. It is a romantic song with lyrical imagery of a romantic dinner for two in a cozy cafe, with wine, music, and sweet serenading.
He expresses his love for her and how she has “excited his heart and soul” and made him “feel so real.” He wants to show her his love and affection. The song culminates with him asking the woman if he can pick her up in his car so they can have dinner for two. Almost forty years later, the song is still a romantic slow jam capturing the feeling of falling in love.
Final Grade: A
“Dinner For Two” from Love Is Such a Funny Game is available on all streaming platforms.
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.