Often people ask me what my favorite Slow Jam or Slow Jam CD is, and it’s always a tough question, because there are so many great Slow Jams and great Slow Jam CD’s. So I decided to sit down and come up with my very own Top 10 Slow Jams CD’s Of All Time list. So here it is! Hopefully some of these are your favorites too, or maybe there are some CD’s here that you’ve never listened to and you can find some enjoyment finding them and checking them out for the first time. By the way, if you don’t see your favorite Slow Jams CD, you’ll have a chance to post your very own list below! Enjoy.
#1 Jodeci “Forever My Lady” download now! Released in the summer of 1991, Jodeci’s debut CD changed R&B forever! From the classic Come & Talk To Me, to the sultry Stay, from the sentimental I’m Still Waiting, to the title track everyone knows by heart, Forever My Lady, it’s no wonder why this CD is #1 of my list. No lie–this CD has been in my bedroom CD player since the summer it was released…I’ve never taken the disc out of the player, and for good reason–seems everytime I press play on that machine and Jodeci kicks in, good things always seem to happen. Thanks Jodeci! |
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#2 Boyz II Men “Cooleyhighharmony” download now! Coming in at a very close 2nd place, Boyz II Men’s debut CD had the same effect as Jodeci’s. The CD was full of quality Slow Jams, from tear-jerkers like It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye, and Lonely Heart, to straight up sexed-out pieces like Uhh Ahh. Some of favorite Slow Jams on the CD include Please Don’t Go, Your Love, This Is My Heart, and Little Things. Another CD that has seen many a hot nights of play in my CD player, this was a disc that if could talk, I’d be in trouble. It’s ashame the Boyz’ follow-up albums didn’t follow suit. |
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#3 Al B. Sure! “Sexy Versus” A huge fan of Al’s first two CD’s, I was actually disappointed the very first few times I listened to his third project. However it wasn’t long that I grew to love this album, kind of like a great pair of shoes that just has to be broken in. Al hits every end of the spectrum on this one, with sexafied joints like Right Now, and Natalie, to songs about troubles in relationships like Playing Games, and I’ll Never Hurt You Again. Coincidentally, I bought this CD at the exact same time I was going through a breakup with my first love (you know how that can be), and I felt Al was speaking to me! |
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#4 Al B. Sure! “Private Times…And The Whole 9!” Al and super Nu-Jack producer Kyle West kill it on Al’s sophomore release. Private Times focuses on those special times with that special woman…and the special things that happen! From Touch You, to No Matter What You Do (with Diana Ross), to I Want To Know, this CD puts you in a trance that is hard to get out of. And who except Al B. can bring justice to the Eagle’s classic, Hotel California? Some say I’m crazy, but Al’s version is better than the original in many ways. He takes you there. You can even smell the colitas rising up through the air! Extra props goes to whoever did the CD’s artwork; real smooth! |
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#5 Surface “3 Deep” download now! Bernard Jackson, David “Pic” Conley, and David Townsend hit their peak with their third effort called 3 Deep. They were one of the few (if only) artists to have a song go #1 on all three charts–Pop, R&B, and Adult, with their monster ballad from 1991, The First Time. The album was one of the smoothest, laid back, and beautiful works ever. Surface shelved any “sex-talk,” and instead did what they did best–sing about love and the magic of just being with someone special. Give Her Your Love, All I Want Is You and You’re The One are some of the album’s many highlights. |
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#6 Al B. Sure “In Effect Mode” download now! With as many great up-tempo joints as Slow Jams, this 1988 release will go down as one of the best albums of all-time, aside from the “Slow Jams” genre. Al’s original style and innovative delivery was born with Effect Mode. The CD boasts one of the most popular, and definitely one of my favorite Slow Jams, the infamous Nite And Day, that today is still one of the biggest. Other amazing pieces include the seductive Oooh This Love Is So, Naturally Mine, and a great remake of Roberta Flack’s Killing Me Softly. In fact, as I write this review, I wonder if I should have bumped this one up somewhere on the Top 3. It’s thatgood! |
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#7 Johnny Gill “Johnny Gill” download now! Breaking away from New Edition, this solo effort was his biggest. Who can forget one of 1990’s biggest Slow Jams, My, My, My, dedicated to a sexy woman when she’s all fixed up, ready to go out. My favorite on the disc was, without a doubt, Just Another Lonely Night–a song about being all alone at home thinking of that special person you’re not with. Lady Dujour, Feels So Much Better, and Let’s Spend The Night are other great songs on the slow tip. Although it might have your head bobbin’ just a little too much to call a Slow Jam, Wrap My Body Tight, is amazing. The hard to find remix is even better! |
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#8 Mint Condition “Meant To Be Mint” download now! Although the album is mainly consisted of funky, up-tempo, electric guitar-filled faster songs, the three Slow Jams on this disc are so impeccable, Mint’s debut CD deserved a spot on my Top 10. Going down as one of the most amazing works of all time, Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes) became a favorite of mine the very first time I heard it on the radio. Mint Condition’s innovative instrumentation along with Stokley’s umistakable vocals made them one of the hottest R&B groups of the 90’s. Other great Slow Jams on the album included Forever In You Eyes and Single To Mingle. |
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#9 Keith Washington “Make Time For Love” download! I first got into KW when I was just 13 and heard his first single, Kissing You, on the radio. One of the sultriest Slow Jams of all time, Kissing You put Keith on the map, with its intimate lyrics, mature vocals, and sultry background singers. Keith’s debut CD, Make Time for Love, is filled with many other smooth Slow Jams–some of my favorites include Closer, Lovers After All, and All Night, featuring Keith singing along with a hot Spanish guitar piece! My first girlfriend and I listened to Keith together in high school. Everytime I would hit “play” and the first song started up, she knew what time it was, if you know what I mean! |
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#10 Michel’le “Michel’le” download now! It was tough picking the last CD for my Top 10 list, because there were so many others, but I had to give it up to Michel’le for putting down some of the best Slow Jams ever on her first CD. From Something In My Heart, to If?, Silly Love Song, and Close To Me, Michel’le’s debut CD was a Slow Jam goldmine! |
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Honorable mentions (CD’s that almost made my Top 10):
Tony! Toni! Tone’! The Revival
H-Town Beggin’ After Dark
Bell Biv Devoe Poison
Smoove Smoove With A Ruffness
Troop Attitude
Keith Sweat I’ll Give All My Love To You
Your favorites?
Remember, these are just my favorites. I’m sure you have your own list of favorite Slow Jam CD’s. I listened to these Slow Jams during special times that molded my life. Slow Jams are personal–we’ve all had different lives, different experiences, and listened to different music during special times. What are your all-time favorite top 10 Slow Jams CD’s? I’d love for you to share them with us. You can e-mail your list here. Don’t forget the title and artist of the album, and please include your name and city and state!
Listeners’ picks:
Margie Vee – Los Angeles, CA
1. Keith Sweat Make It Last Forever
2. Jodeci Forever My Lady
3. R. Kelly 12 Play
4. Al B. Sure! In Effect Mode
5. Atlantic Starr All In The Name Of Love
6. Anita Baker Rapture
7. Atlantic Starr Radiant
8. Teena Marie Greatest Hits
9. Various Artists Boomerang Soundtrack
10. Janet Jackson Janet
Adrian Acevedo – Aurora, CO:
1. Luther Vandross The Ultimate Luther Vandross DOWNLOAD NOW
2. Marvin Gaye The Master DOWNLOAD NOW
3. Jodeci Back To The Future The Very Best of Jodeci DOWNLOAD NOW
4. Zapp & Roger All The Greatest Hits DOWNLOAD NOW
5. Keith Sweat The Best Of Keith Sweat DOWNLOAD NOW
6. Cherrelle Greatest Hits DOWNLOAD NOW
7. DeBarge The Ultimate Collection DOWNLOAD NOW
8. various artists Old School Love Songs – Volume 1
9. various artists Old School Love Songs – Volume 2
10. Teena Marie Lovergirl: The Teena Marie Story DOWNLOAD NOW
Kisha Lester – Charleston, WV
1. Guy The Future
2. Jodeci Diary Of A Mad Band
3. Al B. Sure! In Effect Mode
4. Al B. Sure! Sexy Vs.
5. R. Kelly 12 Play
6. Jodeci Forever My Lady
7. Brownstone From The Bottom Up
8. Changing Faces Changing Faces
9. Zhané Zhané
10. Dru Hill Dru Hill
Paris – St. Louis, MO
10. Tyrese I Wanna Go There
Diana Newmark – Denver, CO
1. Sammie I Like The Way
2. HI-Five Greatest Hits
3. Jodeci Forever My Lady
4. Isley Brothers Between The Sheets
5. R.Kelly 12 Play
6. Tony! Toni! Tone! The After Party
7. Boyz II Men II
8. Tyrese Tyrese
9. Brian Mcknight Anytime
10. Jon B. Cool RelaxJimmy Jamm – Pflugerville, TX1. Luther Vandross The Night I Fell In Love
2. Keith Sweat Don’t Stop Your Love
3. Anita Baker Rapture
4. Babyface Tender Lover
5. Johnny Gill Let’s Get The Mood Right
6. Jodeci Forever My Lady
7. LeVert Rope A Dope Style
8. Aaron Hall The Truth
9. The Isley Brothers Beautiful Ballads
10. The O’Jays In Bed With The O’Jays
Laurenzo Thomas – Seattle, WA
1. Heatwave Too Hot To Handle
2. Anita Baker Rapture
3. Dreamboy Don’t Go
4. Ready For The World RFTW
5. Luther Vandross Give Me The Reason
6. Mary J. Blige My Life
7. Guy Guy
8. Switch Best Of Switch
9. Jodeci Forever My Lady
10. Keith Sweat Make It Last Forever
That’s The Way Of The World
Eric D – Phoenix, AZ
1. Jodeci Diary of a Mad Band
2. Tony! Toni! Tone’! The Revival
3. Boyz II Men II
4. Jodeci The Show, The After Party, The Hotel
5. Jodeci Forever My Lady
6. Babyface For The Cool In You
7. Toni Braxton Toni Braxton
8. Various Artists Boomerang Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
9. R. Kelly 12 Play
10. Jon B. Cool Relax
Justin Lucas – Tulsa, OK
1. Boyz II Men II
2. Dru Hill Dru Hill
3. Jodeci Forever My Lady
4. Hi-Five Greatest Hits
5. Mint Condition Meant To Be Mint
6. Musiq Soulchild Juslisen
7. Boyz II Men Evolution
8. Jagged Edge JE Heartbreak
9. Luther Vandross Always And Forever: The Classics
10. Tyrese Tyrese
Luanna – Calipatria, CA
10. Kenny Lattimore Kenny Lattimore
M.C. Magic of NB Ridaz – Phoenix, AZ
1. Luis Miguel Romances II
2. R.Kelly 12 Play
3. Keith Sweat Make It Last Forever
4. Jodeci Forever My Lady
5. Sade Lovers Rock
6. Babyface For The Cool In You
7. Bobby Brown Don’t Be Cruel
8. Brenton Wood 18 Best
9. Club Nouveau Life Love & Pain
10. Mariah Carey Ones
Greg “Hitman” Williams – Wichita, KS
1. Roger Greatest Hits
2. Marvin Gaye Midnight Love
3. The Deele Eyes of a Stranger
4. Mariah Carey Music Box
5. TLC Crazysexycool
6. The Platters Best Of The Platters
7. After 7 After 7
8. Freddie Jackson Rock Me Tonight
9. Alexander O’Neal Alexnader O’Neal
10. H-Town Fever For Da Flava
Chuckii Booker – Los Angeles, CA
1. Gap Band III
2. Luther Vandross Give Me The Reason
3. The Commodores Zoom
4. Jodeci Diary Of A Mad Band
5. The Stylistics Best Of The Stylistics
6. Jon B. Cool Relax
7. The Isley Brothers The Heat Is On
8. D-Angelo Brown Sugar
9. Earth, Wind & Fire All ‘N All
10. Omarion O
Josie Doporto – Carson City, NV
1. Frankie J The One
2. Ciara Goodies
3. Mariah Carey #1’s
4. LSG LSG
5. K-Ci & JoJo X
6. Jon B Cool Relax
7. Frankie J Frankie J
8. Mariah Carey Charm Bracelet
9. Various Artists Body & Soul
10. Aaliyah I Care 4 U
Tara Raheem – Abilene, TX
1. The Isley Brothers Love Songs
2. The Isley Brothers Mission to Please
3. Jodeci The Show The Hotel The After Party
4. Luther Vandross- The Ultimate Luther Album
5. Maze- Greatest Slow Jams
6. Peabo Bryson The Peabo Bryson Collection
7. Gerald Levert G
8. Teddy Pendergrass The Love Song Collection
9. Body & Soul The Sensual Collection
10. Avant Private Room
Robert Mendez – Phoenix, AZ
1. Babyface Tender Lover
2. Alexander O’neal Hearsay
3. Marvin Gaye Let’s Get It On
4. Teddy Pendergrass It’s Time for Love
5. Maxwell Embya
6. Gerald LeVert Groove On
7. Babyface For The Cool In You
8. Keith Sweat I’ll Give All My Love To You
9. Jodeci Forever My Lady
10. Boyz II Men II
10. Lauryn Hill Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
Denny Miyashiro – Honolulu, HI
1. K-Ci & Jojo Love Always
2. R. Kelly 12 Play
3. Shai If I Ever Fall In Love
4. Brian McKnight Anytime
5. Babyface For The Cool In You
6. Boyz II Men II
7. 4PM Now’s The Time
8. Elements Of Life Elements Of Life
9. Various Artists Boomerang The Soundtrack
10. Tevin Campbell I’m Ready
LaDonja Spruill – Alton, IL
1. Mary J. Blige What’s the 411?