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Derrick Dunn

Slow Jam Saturday “ Michael Jackson, “The Way You Love Me”

As we approach the sixteenth anniversary of The King of Pop joining the heavenly choir, it was only fitting that MJ was the featured artist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. The song I chose was “(I Like) The Way You Love Me” from his 2011 posthumous album, Michael.

As die-hard fans know, MJ originally wrote the song with teeny-bopper group Hanson in mind, but he kept it for himself. An early demo version of the song would appear on his 2004 four-disc set, “The Ultimate Collection,” where I first heard it. A year before Jackson’s passing, he would link up with producer Theron “Neff-U” Feemster to rework the track.

The elegant love song “(I Like) The Way You Love Me” illustrates Jackson’s affectionate feelings towards his partner. The first verse details Mike’s loneliness and confusion until his partner enters his life, bringing light and love to her. Michael Jackson appreciates how his partner’s love manifests through her touch, hugs, and kisses, which make him complete.

The song beautifully captures the singer’s profound sense of fulfillment derived from his relationship, illustrating the transformative journey he has undertaken because of it. MJ resonates with deep gratitude for his partner, who brings boundless joy into his life and helps him move beyond previous struggles, ushering in a sense of enduring happiness.

The lyrics intricately weave a narrative of a relationship built on a robust foundation of love and trust, which empowers the singer to pledge his unwavering commitment to his partner openly. Furthermore, MJ delivers a better vocal than some modern-day singer’s entire catalog, and it’s a shame that when he was in love, he never got a chance to promote it.

“(I Like) The Way You Love Me” is a poignant romantic homage. It celebrates MJ’s intense love for his partner while highlighting their bond’s remarkable positive changes in his life. The song’s evocative imagery and heartfelt sentiments vividly depict true love and personal growth.

Final Grade: A

“(I Like) The Way You Love Me” 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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