For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I would like to revisit the year 2002 and express appreciation for TLC’s fourth studio album, titled “3D.” As many fans of the group know, a significant portion of the album was completed after the passing of member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. The album incorporates her unreleased material, which was initially intended for her solo projects “Supernova” and “N.I.N.A.,” reworked into new compositions.
The remaining members of the group, Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, enlisted the expertise of prominent producers, including Dallas Austin, Babyface, Rodney Jerkins, the Neptunes, Raphael Saadiq, Missy Elliott, and Timbaland, for the album’s production process. The album’s first single, “Girl Talk,” was co-written by Left Eye, T-Boz, Anita McLoud, Edmund “Eddie Hustle” Clement, and Kandi Burruss, with production by Hustle.
Maintaining the vibrant essence of their previous work, “Girl Talk” captivates with an infectious hook that draws listeners in. The lyrics deliver a sharp warning to men. If they falter in their performance in the bedroom, the news will quickly circulate among women, creating a ripple effect throughout the community.
The next single, “Hands Up,” marked a reunion for the group with Babyface and Daryl Simmons. The song tells the story of a woman who goes to a club and sees her partner dancing with other women, behaving in a way that is entirely out of character for him. While none of the women claimed to be powerhouse vocalists, “Hands Up” successfully serves as a commentary on the experience of discovering a partner’s infidelity and the resulting feelings of betrayal and disappointment.
“Damaged” was the album’s final single, and the group worked with longtime collaborator Dallas Austin, who co-wrote the song with T-Boz. My favorite single from the album conveys the struggles of a woman who has been hurt in the past and now finds it hard to trust and love again.
The lyrics express the emotional trauma she has endured from past relationships, leaving her feeling damaged and insecure. She is afraid to open up to her current partner, fearing he might hurt her and cause further pain. However, the strength of the song lies in its relatable nature, addressing themes of expressing fears and insecurities while hoping to find acceptance and love from a partner, despite carrying emotional baggage
Although the album didn’t break out on the charts, it features plenty of standout tracks. “So So Dumb,” produced by Raphael Saadiq, remains in rotation and would have made a great single. “Quickie” is a throwback to their early days. However, I believe the album could have benefited from a huge ballad or a sensual slow jam. That said, the group may have been in a grieving process and opted to keep everything up-tempo.
“3D” was the final TLC album to feature all three members, and while it doesn’t reach the highs of their previous output, it serves as a great capstone to their career.
Final Grade: B
“3D” 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.