During my Air Force enlistment in the United Kingdom, I enjoyed discovering new artists in my leisure time. Lyfe Jennings, this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, was one such artist. Mr. Jennings first came to my attention with his platinum-selling debut Lyfe 268‒192. I recall being so impressed with the album that I called my mom back in the States and told her she needed to run out and purchase a copy.
Two years later, his sophomore album, The Phoenix, featured the hit singles “S.E.X.” and “Let’s Stay Together.” Additionally, Jennings dabbled a bit in the gospel and rock genres. While popular opinion would have me highlight “Let’s Stay Together,” I chose to go with the album’s closing track, “I’ll Always Love You. “ At the time of the song’s release, I was known as the Slow Jam King on my duty station, so the minute I heard the track, I put it on my mix CDs for fellow Airmen to share with their potential love interest.
Lyfe wisely avoids covering the Taylor Dayne song of the same name, and Jennings gets sentimental on the track. Lyfe has always had a grit in his singing voice that gives his lyrics an extra layer. “I’ll Always Love You” is a heartfelt ballad that expresses enduring love and commitment. The song lyrics convey a message of unwavering affection and the promise always to hold someone dear, regardless of the circumstances.
In the song, Lyfe sings about a steadfast and unchanging love. He assures his partner that his love for them will endure no matter what challenges they face or how much time passes. It’s a powerful declaration of eternal love, emphasizing the depth and permanence of his feelings.
“I’ll Always Love You” encapsulates the essence of a profound, unconditional love that transcends the ups and downs of life. It highlights the significance of loyalty, devotion, and the enduring connection between two individuals, even in the face of adversity. While the song was never a single, it’s still one of the top ballads in the singer’s catalog.
Final Grade : A
“I’ll Always Love You” from The Phoenix 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.