The current lineup of legendary R&B trio features founding members Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, Sr., and Eric Nolan Grant, who joined the group in 1997. Tonight I get to cross an item off my musical bucket list as I’m attending the Washington D.C. stop of the group’s Last Stop on the Love Train tour.
Before Mr. Grant joined the group, The O’Jays had already amassed a legendary catalog of slow jams and ballads. I’m sure I would spend hours debating with my friends Lawrence “Law” Worrell, Beyond The Album Cover podcast host Jarrell Mason, or Baltimore producer J-Soul about the top ten O’Jays ballads. However, for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I decided to pick one from the latter O’Jays catalog.
In 2001, the group released For the Love…which arrived in stores two weeks after the 9/11 attacks. The song I wanted to highlight is the album’s sixth track, “I’m Ready Now,” which the group members also wrote. The track opens up with a smooth production before the lyrics begin. Set to an angelic arrangement, “I’m Ready Now” is a textbook song about a man realizing his mistakes and wanting his lady back.
Eric Nolan Grant leads the song while his group mates provide the backing vocals. While I doubt the song will make it into the setlist for tonight’s show, the track is a wonderful addition to the group’s 21st ballad collection.
Final Grade: B+
“I’m Ready Now” from For the Love… 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.