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.
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.