For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I want to showcase love for Rahsaan Patterson and his album track “Can We Wait a Minute” from his self-titled debut album, released in 1997.
Growing up in the eighties, I first noticed Patterson on the show “Kids Incorporated.” After leaving the show, he honed his craft as a background vocalist and songwriter, contributing to hits like “Baby” by Brandy and “Back to the World” by Tevin Campbell. As neo-soul began to emerge in the latter half of the nineties, Patterson seemed poised to be the next big thing.
The seventh track on the album, “Can We Wait a Minute,” is a lush ballad that opens with instrumentation that evokes an image of a bride walking down the aisle or a couple preparing for their first dance. Patterson makes the poignant choice to open the song with the chorus, singing:
“Can’t we wait a minute
’Cause baby for the first time, I feel like I’m in love.
Can’t we wait a minute
’Cause baby for the first time, I feel like I’m in love.”
Patterson skillfully controls his vocal instrument, taking the audience on a journey of musical euphoria for five minutes and forty-three seconds. Co-written with Jamey Jaz, who also produced “Can We Wait a Minute,” the song could be interpreted as a narrative about a player who has finally found the right one. Perhaps he has agreed to wait before becoming physical, and now they are ready to make love for the first time, rather than just having sex.
In Verse 1, Patterson elegantly sings, “You, you got me feeling things that I never knew I could feel, and you, you know how to please me. You give me everything that I’ve ever dreamed of.” These lyrics reflect the sentiments of a man who has experienced a range of emotions in matters of the heart.
Patterson never over sings or engages in vocal gymnastics; instead, his performance is minimalistic, showcasing an artist who truly knows how to create a moment with his God-given talent. While diamond plaques may never have been in the cards for Rahsaan, twenty-nine years later, “Can We Wait a Minute” still shines brighter than some artists who debuted after him.
Final Grade: A
“Can We a Minute” is available on all streaming platforms.
