For this month’s final Slow Jam Saturday selection, we continue highlighting the songwriting talents of Jon B. R&B songstress Toni Braxton was already a force when she released her second album Secrets in the summer of 1996. This album saw Braxton reuniting with Babyface and working with legends such as Diane Warren and David Foster.
Braxton also found time to work with some new jacks, including Tony Rich and Marc Nelson. Naturally, Babyface found a way to include Jon B in the project as well. Jon and Babyface collaborate on the album’s closing song, “In the Late of Night. A heartbreaking song about saying goodbye to lost love, for me it rivals one of Toni Braxton’s biggest hits, “Unbreak My Heart.”
The emotion and pain that Ms. Braxton put into this song make the listeners want to give her a shoulder to cry on or even just a hug. Jon and Babyface’s lyrics include, “Always thought your promise was for life, I did not think that I Would hear you say good-bye.” For me, both men had to go somewhere painful in their past to evoke this emotion.
Would you please make sure you visit ReviewsandDunn.net tomorrow when Edward Bowser of Soulinstero.com joins me for the Second Listen Sunday? Ed and I will be discussing Jon B.’s overlooked third album, Pleasures U Like.
Final Grade: B+
Secrets is available on all streaming platforms.
For their second single, the group presented a ballad entitled “Feels Like The First Time.” Once again, Greene handles the lyrics, while Neville Hodge is responsible for production duties. Greene begins the song with robust energy, proclaiming his love for the lady. Greene’s group members provide stellar work on the background vocals, and the songs eschew nineties R&B without going into crass vulgarity.
The ballad was composed by Michael Masser and lyricist Gerry Goffin, and it was first recorded by Dionne Warwick in 1981. Eight years later, Natalie Cole covered the song, shortening the title. It became the fourth single from her twelfth album, “Good to Be Back.”
Braxton’s vocal talent is perfect on the standards “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song.” However, like any good R&B Christmas album, it is the soulful yuletide bops where Braxton truly shines. The album’s first single, “Snowflakes of Love,” is instrumental of Earl Klugh’s “Now We’re One”. Braxton’s lush vocals encapsulate the warmth and joy of romantic love amidst a wintery backdrop.