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.
Nineties R&B was home to many female groups, so standing out took more than good looks and a major industry endorsement. I still remember seeing Allure in a Vibe ad and thinking how gorgeous those four women were. The question was whether they had the talent to compete in the music scene.
In 1996, I first heard the Houston quartet Ideal on the Original Gangsters soundtrack. Their interpretation of Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues,” featuring the Chi-Lites, caught my attention.
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.