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Derrick Dunn

Slow Jam Saturday: Lyfe Jennings, I’ll Always Love You

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

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Slow Jam Saturday : Chauncey Black, “Everyday Is Your Birthday”

This week’s Slow Jam Saturday pick takes us back to 2008 to show some love to Chauncey Hannibal, a member of Blackstreet, and his solo track “Everyday Is Your Birthday.” Chauncey’s vocals were featured prominently on the group’s first four albums until he began his solo career in 2005. He initially signed with Flipmode Entertainment, and “Everyday Is Your Birthday” was the first single from his project titled “Church Boy,” although the actual album was never released.

Second Listen Sunday: Brooke Valentine, “Chain Letter”

As my loyal readers know, one of my passions during my Air Force enlistment was being a DJ. Since I was stationed in the UK, it was sometimes hard to keep up with the music scene, as there was no satellite radio, the club scene rarely showcased new music, and I missed out on shows like 106 & Park. Often, I would buy new CDs based solely on their covers and find a way to incorporate the music into my sets, particularly if the artist caught my attention. One such artist was Brooke Valentine, who is this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday.

Second Listen Sunday : Akon, Konvicted

Since my wife’s favorite solo artist, Ne-Yo, is currently on tour, I decided to show some love to Akon this week for Second Listen Sunday by focusing on his second album, “Konvicted.” I first discovered Akon in the fall of 2004 when I made my DJ debut while stationed in the UK. During my warm-up set, I played “Locked Up,” and one of the bouncers came over, handed me a pound, and said it was about time someone played that song.

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