Everyone’s favorite musical uncle, Mr. Charlie Wilson, is preparing to embark on his latest tour, Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour, produced by Live Nation Urban and P Music Group, featuring support acts Babyface, K-Ci Hailey, and El DeBarge.
While Charlie hasn’t released a solo album in eight years, his solo catalog and work with The Gap Band speak for themselves. For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to reach into Mr. Wilson’s Gap Band catalog and showcase “You Are My High” from their 1979 album “The Gap Band II”.
Charlie crafted the song alongside Johnsye Smith and Ronnie Wilson, with the talented Lonnie Simmons steering the production. Central to the track is Charlie’s lush, captivating vocal performance, which beautifully conveys the profound significance of having a steadfast presence in one’s life—someone who offers unwavering understanding, support, and love.
The lyrics weave a heartfelt narrative, illustrating that with a devoted partner by their side, Charlie feels empowered to conquer any obstacle, as the mundane struggles of daily life effortlessly dissolve. “You Are My High” paints a vivid picture of an extraordinary connection between two souls, infusing Charlie with a surge of strength and joy. Ultimately, it celebrates the deep and unbreakable bond between two individuals who provide each other with unconditional love and acceptance, even amidst life’s toughest challenges.
Final Grade: B
“You Are My High” is available on all streaming platforms.
I’ve always been a fan of Eric Bellinger. My admiration stems not only from the records he has released under his own name but also from the impressive career he built behind the scenes. Long before casual R&B listeners recognized his face, they were already familiar with his songwriting through tracks he penned for artists like Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber, and Wale.
As many of you know, I had the opportunity to visit Paisley Park earlier this week while vacationing in Minnesota. During the tour, our guide shared that an expanded edition of Prince’s album “Parade” is expected to be released to celebrate its 40th anniversary. After spending the day exploring the Twin Cities, it felt like the perfect excuse to revisit one of the most fascinating and underrated albums in Prince’s legendary catalog.
One of the reasons I’ve always considered Prince to have the edge over Michael Jackson is his remarkable collection of ballads and