One of the great things about being a critic is sometimes you listen to an album but don’t fully grasp how dope the project is until months later. Case in point while driving home from my regular 9 to 5 this past Tuesday and got stuck in traffic. After checking Waze, I came to the realization that I had about a forty-minute delay.
I took the opportunity to listen to an album for this week’s Second Listen Sunday and just put my iPod on random. The album that popped up was Another Love Story from The Colleagues. I initially heard the album when it hit streaming platforms on August 1st, 2019, but I haven’t revisited the project since. My first experience with the group was when they worked with Raheem DeVaughn on the singer’s What a Time to Be Alive project.
However, the group has been making noise in the industry for some time producing for the likes of Hip Hop artists such as Piles, 2 Chainz, and the late great Nipsey Hussle. In addition to working with DeVaughn, they did records with Tiffany Evans and even dabbled in K-POP. Another Love Story’s intent is to provide a soundtrack for couples. Soul singers Devon Culture, The HamilTones, Devvon Terrell, Vedo, and Mr. Raheem DeVaughn assist the group in their goal.
After a smooth intro for the opening track, Devon Culture provides a solid vocal on the sensual slow jam “No Conversation.” This song is strictly about skipping the foreplay and getting down to business when you know your significant other’s body and have time invested in the relationship.
Next is “Belong 2 You,” which features Raheem DeVaughn and Rob Hill Sr. With this song, The Colleagues go straight into the Jodeci’s playbook, and it works.
Devvon Terrell leads “C4,” which has an up-tempo vibe. Kudos to the song’s writer, as I never thought comparing an explosive to a relationship would work. The HamilTones bring their southern soul and grit to the smooth “Northing on You” as they efficiently sing and croon about their love for their other half.
Before an outro ends, the project Vedo gets a chance to shine. Initially, I wasn’t big on Vedo, but his appearance on Usher’s tiny desk performance this past summer won me over. He provides a solid album track with “Slow Motion” and shows that this younger generation can provide decent music given the right producer.
Another Love Story is a solid album overall and with only seven songs. It’s better than projects from artists who released double albums over the past few years.
Final Grade: B+
Another Love Story is available on all streaming platforms.
Growing up in the nineties, movies aimed at a melanin audience often featured soundtracks that had to be just as flavorful as the films themselves. This week, for Slow Jam Saturday, I want to take a trip back to 1993 and highlight one of the slow jams from the soundtrack of “Menace II Society”.
Last week marked two significant anniversaries for one of the greatest artists of all time, Mr. Prince Rogers Nelson. It’s only fitting that I show him some love for Second Listen Sunday. The first anniversary was on the 21st, commemorating nine years since his passing. The second anniversary was on the 22nd, celebrating the 40th anniversary of his seventh studio album, “Around the World in a Day.”
One of my most significant decisions late last year was to pledge to Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. At the time of this writing, I am in Atlantic City for my fraternity’s Regional Conference, where I will represent my chapter, Beta Alpha Omega. In that regard, I believe the perfect song for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday is “The Best Man I Can Be.”