As R&B fans anxiously await the start of New Edition’s Way Tour with supporting acts Toni Braxton and Boyz II Men, with the holiday season in full swing, I wanted to show some love to the guys from Philly for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
We all know they released a fire Christmas album in 1993, but unless you’re a diehard fan, you may not know they did another Christmas album twelve years later, “Winter/Reflections”. By 2005, Boyz II Men were no longer dominating U.S. radio, but in Japan, their popularity never wavered. That’s the backdrop for “Winter/Reflections”, the Japan-only project that quietly became one of the group’s more fascinating deep cuts—a split package of J-pop reinterpretations and holiday standards that shows the trio settling into their legacy era with surprising grace.
The “Reflections” disc is a remarkable discovery. It features English-language covers of contemporary Japanese ballads, allowing Boyz II Men to explore new dimensions that they hadn’t ventured into on their mainstream albums. The album opens with “I’ve Been Searchin’,” showcasing the classic warmth of Boyz II Men and setting the tone for a collection rich in slow-burning emotion.
Tracks like “Will” and “Flowers Bloom” exemplify the best of cross-cultural fusion. The group masterfully blends Japanese melodic elements with gospel-infused harmonies, creating a sound that feels both global and deeply soulful. One track that stands out is “Snow White,” a reimagining of a beloved winter ballad. It is characterized by its restraint—floating, cinematic, and beautifully sung without being overly ostentatious.
The “Winter” disc takes a more traditional approach, offering smooth, adult-contemporary interpretations of holiday classics. “This Christmas” embraces a relaxed groove rather than trying to emulate Donny Hathaway’s iconic version, while “Little Drummer Boy” features layered vocals that enhance its dynamics. Although nothing on this disc reinvents holiday music, it remains pleasant, polished, and unmistakably Boyz II Men.
What makes the album worthwhile is its sense of transition. Sitting between the 2004 covers album “Throwback” and 2006’s internet exclusive “The Remedy”, this project marks the moment the group embraced their international audience and leaned into maturity rather than chasing another blockbuster ballad. It’s not essential in the way their ’90s classics are, but it’s far more interesting than a simple holiday throwaway.
Final Grade: B
“Winter/Reflections” is available on all streaming platforms.
This week’s Second Listen Sunday pick takes us back to 2006 to revisit “So Amazin’,” the third album from Christina Milian. Arriving in stores on April 19 of that year, the project was produced largely by Cool & Dre, sans one song, and saw the singer earn writing credits on nine of the album’s songs.
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I want to showcase love for Rahsaan Patterson and his album track “Can We Wait a Minute” from his self-titled debut album, released in 1997.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to take a trip back to 2000 and show some love to the R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo and their third album, “X,” which was released in stores on December 5, just in time for a holiday stocking stuffer. Arguably, the group suffered from the sophomore slump with their second album, as only two singles were successful.