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.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit 2004 and highlight Romeo’s debut solo album, formerly of Immature. Titled “Food for Thought” and released on June 22nd, this project marked the singer’s change of name to Young Rome in an effort to distance himself from the youthful sound of his group, much like his bandmate Marques Houston had done a year earlier.
In the nineties, Hip-Hop reigned supreme, and every label CEO wanted a share of the lucrative R&B market. One strategy was to keep singers on their roster who could deliver catchy hooks, keeping everything in-house and saving money. Bad Boy had Carl Thomas, Death Row had Danny Boy, and Roc-A-Fella had Rell, our featured artist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday
Growing up in the eighties, I was surrounded by incredibly talented male R&B singers who could deliver unforgettable love songs. Artists like Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, and Peabo Bryson dominated the airwaves, but Freddie Jackson was another voice that truly deserved recognition.