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Flashback Friday: Forgotten Gems pt II

FlashBack Friday (click for previous episodes)

Today's a singers special because I've been listening to a lot of r&b recently. There's a particular album that has sparked this off, but that will be revealed in two weeks. And I've been in a Rodney Jerkins/Timbaland phase.

If you missed part I check here Forgotten Gems. It's where I share some songs that I'd forgotten about. Some you may know, others you may not. I think you'll appreciate every song 'cos my taste is that of a person that tastes expensive wine.

One song that has been on the receiving a lot of spins is Jennifer Lopez 'If You Had My Love'. Sparked by this quote "‘U Don’t Know Me (Like You Used To)’ acted more like an album filler to me, however did have good points, in particular the drum production was rather hard hitting. It possibly acted as the precursor to Jennifer Lopez’s ‘If You Had My Love,’ which is probably why I didn’t really like it too much." from a review of Brandy's Never Say Never from the Return The Classics series over at Soul Culture. For the record, U Don't Know Me is actually a banger.

(re: Return To The Classics - check the Dru Hill - Enter The Dru and D'Angelo - Brown Sugar ones for an insight from people that help craft it. Siiiiiiiiiiick)

I forgot how good this song is. We all know JLo was a r&b fraud. I think I hated everything she did after this song including 'Love Don't Cost A Thing', but excluding 'I'm Real' with Ja Rule and 'All My Love' with LL Cool J. Remember the 'Jenny From The Block'? The sample? Her "still Jenny from the block"? She really thought I'd fall for that nonsense? Ashanti ended her reign. Plus, I realised I'd been conned into believing she was extremely hot. I've seen her. She ain't thaaat great.

But yeah, Jennifer Lopez - If You Had My Love



p.s. Those black and silver TNs during the dance break. OMG!

Karen Clark Sheard feat. Missy Elliott, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Dorinda Clark Cola, Mary Mary & Tweet - Higher Ground

This used to get a lot of rotation on pirate radio. I came across this on Missy Elliott's 3rd album Miss E... So Addictive (the one with Get Ur Freak On). You had to let the last track run for about 7mins of silence. Not sure how big this song was in the Gospel circles, but damn, this is a tune. Looking at the all star line-up, this is the gospel equivalent to Kanye West's All Of The Lights lol



Justin Timberlake - Worthy Of

Another bonus track, this time lifted from JT's classic Justified released in 2003. Yes, that album is classic. Not sure why it was a bonus track. Bonus tracks were usually placed on something else like a Movie OST (Original SoundTrack for future reference).

Not sure if this is a forgotten gem or an underrated gem. Shows Timberlake's human side, dealing with insecurity. Maybe they just wanna hear him on about pulling birds (getting ladies). Maybe that's why it was a bonus track.



Yasmeen - Blue Jeans

Worthy Of reminded me of this tune. There's a similar sound in both of them. Don't ask me what 'cos I can't put my finger on it, but in my head there is a similarity. This is a tune! Released in 2002 but no info on chart history

On a separate note, what the hell happened to Jazze Pha? Ciara neeeeds you!!!



Nicole Renee - Strawberries

15k views on YouTube with an out-of-sync video uploaded by a fan epitomises forgotten gem. I spent a good chunk of this week playing Craig David's Born To Do It. They sampled this song for Last Night.



Latrelle - House Party

Think this was released in 2002. Heard this on DJ Swerve's Tuesday show on Kiss 100. One of my favourite Neptunes r&b productions. Official video is unembeddable (I made that word up) so click here

Fundisha - Live The Life

Oh my days, I'm going in today. I was fully on r&b '98-'02. Greatest period of r&b in my timeline. Older people born in the earlier part of the 80s prefer hip hop/soul or new jack. Don't get me wrong, I rate them times highly too, but to me, this is my favourite era.

But back on track, I really liked her voice a lot. I think she was signed by Jermaine Dupri



Last one for today,

Olivia - Bizounce

Remember Oliver as The Game called her. He killed her career before it even started. This song was recorded before she signed with G-Unit, but regularly spun on pirate radio over here in London.

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