For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to take my readers back to 1985 and show some love to Cherrelle and her second album, “High Priority.” Reuniting with producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the bulk of the album was led by the single “You Look Good To Me”.
The catchy lyrics describe a potent fascination with another person. Cherrelle is mesmerized by the man’s way of walking and talking, which takes away all control. The remainder of the song muses on the significance of both physical attraction and character in a love affair, but ultimately concludes that she is not in love yet and needs to experiment more before settling down.
The next single, “Saturday Love,” is still a personal favorite forty years later—a duet with Alexander O’Neal. The essence of “Saturday Love” is a song about connection. The physical connection between lovers, the emotional connection that bonds them together, and the habit of connection, even when they can’t physically be with each other every day. The lyrics detail a countdown through the week to the day when their love can be celebrated.
“Artificial Heart” was the third single in which Cherrelle explores that cold corner of love where emotion is replaced by habit. Produced by the legendary duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the track features shimmering synths and a quietly haunting groove. Beneath its glossy surface lies a deep pain — the kind that doesn’t scream but instead sighs. Cherrelle’s voice, a blend of silk and sorrow, perfectly captures the moment when a woman realizes that the connection she once cherished has become mechanical.
The final single was a UK-only release titled “Will You Satisfy.” The production snaps with funk and elegance, but it’s her delivery that sells the truth: satisfaction isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. This is Cherrelle telling the listener — and her lover — that real intimacy is about reciprocity. She’s not asking for validation; she’s demanding presence. Every note feels intentional, turning a sensual slow burner into a declaration of self-worth. Long before empowerment anthems became mainstream, Cherrelle was already singing about
While Cherrelle isn’t always mentioned among the other ’80s songstresses, “High Priority” easily avoids the sophomore slump.
Final Grade: B+
“High Priority” 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.