On the Heart Break album, “Crucial” was one of the more incidental tracks. Despite most of the album being produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the LP version of “Crucial” was helmed by former Time drummer Jellybean Johnson. It was a decent Minneapolis funk song. Not bad, but not a standout. Remixed and issued as Heart… Read More “Crucial (single remix)” by New Edition (1989)
Michael and Prince were my childhood heroes, but the guys from New Edition were perhaps more impactful because they were within striking distance of my age. For me, and I’d imagine for quite a few black boys and teens, their existence was aspirational. Michael and Prince were pretty extra-terrestrials. Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and… Read More “Can You Stand The Rain” by New Edition (1988)
I’ve talked myself into bumping this song up a star, as it’s one of the best vocal group songs from the early ‘70s . It bridged the gap between doo-wop and the smooth Philly soul of Thom Bell (The Stylistics). There have been several amazing cover versions of “The Bells”, but I’m going to go with the… Read More “The Bells” by The Originals (1970)
If you’re reading this, you probably like music a lot. I’m betting that you, like me, think that a song has to be either really special or really awful in order to remember when and where you were when you heard said song for the first time. “Alright” might’ve been the second song I heard… Read More “Alright” (Janet Jackson, 1989)
Five Star Jamz 