Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have waited 35-plus years to release an album under their own names after giving countless acts in the music industry scores of hits and classics in that same time period. Their first “solo” effort, Jam & Lewis: Vol. 1, proves that good things indeed come to those who wait.
A 10-song suite of collaborations with heavy hitters in the Black music scene, Jam & Lewis’ trademarks of meaningful songwriting with sonic treats galore hold up as well in 2021 as they did some 38 summers earlier when “Just be good to me” by the S.O.S. Band established them as a hitmaking duo.
Guest appearances include Sounds of Blackness, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, Charlie Wilson, Usher, Babyface, Heather Headley, the Roots and longtime homeboy/collaborator Morris Day. Vol. 1 places an emphasis on slow burners and mid-tempo grooves, so if you’re expecting a workout on the dance floor, you might be disappointed. Now if you’re looking for a workout behind closed doors…the potential is there.
The album starts off with a gospel-flavored joyful noise called “Til I Found You,” Jam and Lewis’ official debut single from spring of 2019, but with the strong vocal trio of Ann Nesby, James Wright and Lauren Evans along with Sounds of Blackness manages to still sound fresh as an opener.
After a classic Mary J. Blige performance (heavy on resiliency and hope) on “Spinnin’,” the album gets lovey-dovey as Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Babyface, Toni Braxton and Heather Headley carry the next five songs on the album.
“The Next Best Day” will likely find a wedding audience as Nate, Shawn and Wanya channel a II-era vibe about a love that gets better by the day.
Carey flexes her vocal gymnastics on “Somewhat Loved,” a song about heartbreak that sees four of the best songwriters of their eras (Jam, Lewis, Mariah and Terius “The-Dream” Nash) putting their considerable talents together for a convincing song about longing.
“He Don’t Know Nothin’ ‘Bout It” is a song that relies heavy on some dirty mack vocals, and what better man to deliver than the gentleman who wrote and sang “Soon as I get home”? Kidding aside, Babyface and Jam and Lewis working together on a love song is just as lush and “grown and sexy” as one can imagine it to be.
Toni Braxton’s vocals staying as dope as they have this long isn’t a surprise, but she’s at her best on the gliding-piano, finger-snapping ballad “Happily Unhappily.” The song’s lyrics tell a tale of a woman in a hot-and-cold relationship and the tough decision of whether to keep it going or end it is something many a person can relate to.
Heather Headley’s pleasant surprise of an appearance on this album doesn’t disappoint either as “Maybe I’ve Changed (Or Did You)” has jazz guitar, conga-based percussion and gospel piano/organ accompaniment and much like the previous song, a story of wondering if letting go is the right thing to do.
Charlie Wilson and Usher have the next two tracks and “Do What I Do” sounds what would happen if Charlie left his brothers in the Gap Band in 1985 to make a solo album. In his second act as a contemporary R&B star, Uncle Charlie takes Jimmy and Terry’s stepper’s cut beat and does what he’s done for the last 40-plus years, arguably as good as anyone that’s ever done it.
“Do it Yourself” is one of those songs that Jam and Lewis likely would’ve let Usher have for his album a few years ago, but here, it makes sense as a Jam & Lewis album cut. Usher’s vocals, matured long ago, are still strong as ever over a 21st century track that isn’t overproduced but at the same time, doesn’t leave anything to be desired.
Vol. 1 closes with a good ol’ fashion Housequakin party with Morris Day, his sidekick Jerome Benton with production assistance from The Roots. “Babylove” is what you’d expect from the OGs in the club with some sauce (and deep pockets) approaching the PYTs in the building – plenty of posturing, plenty of promises and plenty of pimpin’.
Overall, maybe we can lament that Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis never got to be artists during their prime hitmaking years, but Vol. 1 is proof that these two legends still have what it takes to make music that’s listenable for all ages.
Take a listen to Jam & Lewis Vol. 1 here and let us know what you think!
