R&B fans suffered a significant loss on August 27th when news arrived that singer Sam Salter passed away. Salter broke through in 1997 with his lead single “After 12, Before 6,” which lead to his debut album It’s On Tonight via La Face Records. It’s On Tonight yielded two more singles, but for many R&B fans, the bulk of Sam’s debut is still in rotation thanks to the fresh production and Salter’s vocals. Salter worked with Tricky Stewart and Laney Stewart, who produced the majority of the album. He also got some heat from Tony Rich, Robin Thicke, and Gordon Chambers.
In the summer of 2000, I had just graduated high school, and watching BET’s Midnight Love was part of my nightly ritual after arriving home before curfew. One night, the network played Sam’s new video “Once My Shh,” and I rushed to my local record store to buy the single the next day. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate it, so I had to resort to P2P sites to add the song to my collection. Sam wrote the song with Donnie Boynton, Ken “K-Farm” Fambro and Tab. In addition, Boynton and Fambro handled the song’s production.
Before Trey Songz coined the term “Mr. Steal Yo Girl,” Sam was out here letting the current boyfriend know that he can always set up a love session with his former flame. Now, on the one hand, you want to give someone the side-eye who is trying to steal your girl at age forty. However, Sam was only 25 when the song was recorded, so he was still coming into his own. Furthermore, Sam sings the lyrics with so much conviction that you’re willing to let it slide.
For the most part, Sisqó of Dru Hill was the face of R&B in the summer of 2000, due to his hit singles “Thong Song” and “Incomplete.” Ironically, Salter had “Incomplete” first before it was offered to Sisqó. A few more songs that became hits for others, including Color Of Love (Boyz II Men) and 15 Minutes (Marc Nelson), were supposed to be on Sam’s second album. While we will never know why Sam’s second album, The Little Black Book, was shelved, I still feel it was a missed opportunity by his label LaFace. A summer/fall tour with Donell Jones, Sam’s label mate at the time, would’ve done crazy numbers.
Sam would continue to make a name for himself on the independent scene as a vocal coach and in-demand writer. While the vocal talent of Sam Salter never got it’s just due, and he is no longer here in spirit; as Mathew 5:4 says, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Final Grade: A
Sam’s debut, It’s On Tonight, is available on all stream platforms. “Once My Shh” can be heard on YouTube.
Like the rest of New Edition, R&B balladeer Johnny Gill had seen ups and downs as a solo artist. While Mr. Gill had enough hits to tour off, his fans clamored for music. In 2011 after fifteen years, he returned to music with his sixth solo album, “Still Winning,” this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday.
R&B luminary Usher is commencing his “Past Present Future” tour this week. Notably, two decades ago, he experienced resounding success with “Confessions” and the subsequent “Truth Tour.” For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday segment, I intend to revisit 2005 and spotlight a selection from the “In the Mix” soundtrack, which Usher had a starring role.
The renowned Motown label encountered a period of stagnation in the late 1980s. At this pivotal juncture, the imminent departure of founder Berry Gordy Jr. prompted the appointment of Jheryl Busby as his successor. Mr. Busby, a distinguished figure in his own right, aimed to propel the label into the contemporary era by devising a marketing strategy to resonate with loyal fans of the label’s heyday and a new audience.
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