90s Nostalgia: Shai - 'If I Ever Fall In Love'

"The very first time
That I saw your brown eyes
Your lips said hello and I said hi
I knew right then you were the one
But I was caught up
In physical attraction
But to my satisfaction
Baby you were more than just a face"

There are certain groups from the ’90s that make you stop and wonder, Whatever happened to them? Not because they were forgettable, but because they seemed to have everything going for them. The talent, the looks, the sound, and that special something that made you believe they were destined for a much bigger place in music history. Shai was one of those groups for me.

The quartet came together in the early ’90s, right around the time R&B was serving up some of the smoothest harmonies, sweetest slow jams, and most memorable love songs of the decade. Then, in 1992, Shai arrived with a song that immediately demanded attention. If I Ever Fall in Love.

Oh, that song! Just the title alone takes you right back to an era when a great vocal group could make a lasting impression without needing a complicated production or a million-dollar video. Sometimes all you needed were beautiful harmonies, a heartfelt melody, and a group that knew how to blend their voices. Shai had all of that.

The title track from their debut album, If I Ever Fall in Love, became a massive hit, climbing all the way to number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the kind of breakthrough that made you think this group was going to be around for a very, very long time. And honestly, why wouldn't you think that?

Their first three albums produced songs that found their way onto the charts, proving that Shai wasn't simply a one-hit wonder. There was genuine talent there, and they seemed to fit perfectly into the R&B landscape of the early and mid-’90s.

That was also a pretty incredible time for vocal groups. Boyz II Men, Jodeci, Silk, and countless others were giving us songs that could soundtrack everything from a first crush to a late-night drive. Shai belonged in that conversation. But somewhere along the way, the momentum seemed to fade.

After 1996, Shai largely disappeared from the mainstream music radar. There wasn't the kind of extended run many of us expected after such a strong debut. One minute, you were hearing their music and seeing their videos, and the next, you were wondering why they weren't still a bigger part of the R&B conversation.

It's funny how that happens in music. A group can have the talent, the chemistry, and the potential to go much further, and yet things just seem to fizzle out. Sometimes there are behind-the-scenes reasons, lineup changes, or shifts in the music industry. Other times, fans are simply left wondering what might have been.

And let's be honest: the original Shai had the full package. They were talented, they were handsome, and they were incredibly marketable. They had a sound that fit the times and a song that remains instantly recognizable to anyone who lived through that era.

If you look up Shai today, you'll find that the name still pops up from time to time, with performances and appearances here and there. But the group has gone through changes, and the lineup is no longer the original quartet that captured our attention in 1992.

Check out Shai's video for “If I Ever Fall in Love” below!

80s Throwback: Luther Vandross - 'Stop To Love'

"I just wanna be the one that you wanna see

I just wanna have you near me

But you fly away almost everyday

You work a lot but you never stop to love

(Stop) I love you stop (stop)

Come home from the road

(Gotta stop to love)

And let's celebrate (celebrate) the love we got (stop)

Say you're coming home."

Luther Vandross had one of those voices.

For generations of music fans, Vandross is remembered as the king of the slow jam, the guy who could take a heartbreak, a love letter, or a quiet night alone and turn it into something almost unbearably beautiful. Songs like “Here and Now” and “Superstar” became part of the soundtrack of our lives, and his voice seemed almost too perfect to be real.

But every once in a while, it's nice to remember that Luther Vandross could have some fun, too. And that's exactly what we get with “Stop to Love.”

Released in 1986 as the first single from Vandross' fifth studio album, Give Me the Reason, “Stop to Love” showed off a somewhat different side of the singer. It was upbeat, funky and incredibly catchy, and it became his first Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at No. 15.

But go back and watch that video today and what really jumps out isn't just the song.

It's Luther. There is a looseness to him in “Stop to Love” that we don't always associate with the Luther Vandross who would later become synonymous with romantic ballads. He's smiling. He's dancing. He's clearly having a good time. And that's something people who knew him often talked about: the humor, warmth, and playful personality behind that incredibly polished public image.

It's easy, especially in hindsight, to remember Vandross primarily for the serious stuff. The love songs. The heartbreak. That gorgeous, almost impossibly smooth voice. But “Stop to Love” reminds us that there was a guy underneath all of that who knew how to enjoy himself.

90's Nostalgia: SWV - 'I'm So Into You'

"Boy, there you go 
You're telling me that you love me 
But boy you know 
That you belong to another girl who loves you 
You are so fine, (so fine, so fine) 
You blow my mind 
(Things you do) with the things you do to me 
(She sees) She's not blind, she's not blind 
Things you do for me, but I know 
[Chorus]
I'm so into you 
I don't know what I'm gonna do 
Boy, you got me so confused 
I don't know what I'm gonna do.

It's been a while since I've featured some classic '90s R&B, so I figured it was time to give SWV the spotlight.

Originally formed in the late 1980s as a gospel group, Sisters With Voices eventually shortened their name to SWV and embraced the exploding R&B scene of the early '90s. It turned out to be the perfect move. By 1992, smooth harmonies, slow jams, and heartfelt love songs were dominating both radio and MTV, and SWV quickly became one of the defining groups of the era.

It seemed like you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing "Weak," "Right Here," or "I'm So Into You." Flip over to MTV, and there they were again. Every couple of hours it felt like another SWV video was making its way into rotation. Along with groups like Jade, Xscape, En Vogue, and TLC, they helped define what R&B sounded like during one of the genre's strongest periods.

I'll admit something, though. Back then, I didn't always appreciate just how good we had it. I'd be watching MTV and think, "Ugh... there's SWV again." Funny how time changes your perspective.

Now? I'd love nothing more than to turn on MTV and have one of their videos randomly pop up. Those songs instantly transport me back to a simpler time when my biggest concern was getting through school, heading to work, or figuring out what music video was coming on next. Life moved a little slower, and somehow these songs became part of the soundtrack to all of it.

I think that's one of the reasons '90s R&B has aged so gracefully. The production still sounds smooth, the harmonies remain incredible, and the songs were built around melodies instead of trends. They're timeless in a way that so much modern music struggles to be.

I'm not even sure I can pick a favorite SWV song. "Weak" is a classic. "Right Here" is impossible not to sing along with. But today I'm going with "I'm So Into You." There's just something about its laid-back groove and effortless vocals that still sounds as fresh today as it did over 30 years ago.

If it's been a while since you've heard it, do yourself a favor. Press play, close your eyes, and let it take you back to the golden age of slow jams. I have a feeling you'll appreciate it even more now than you did back then.

90's Nostalgia: Jade - 'Don't Walk Away'

"I've got all this love, waiting just for you
I just gotta know that your love is true
Can't keep running boy in and out my life
Wanna be your girl, not 'cause the mood is right"

When people look back at the '90s, the conversation usually centers around grunge, alternative rock, and the Seattle explosion. And while I definitely appreciated some of that music, a huge part of my soundtrack during the decade came from somewhere completely different. For me, the '90s belonged just as much to R&B, New Jack Swing, freestyle, and those unforgettable slow jams that filled radio stations and dance clubs alike.

While alternative music was dominating MTV headlines, there was another world thriving alongside it. Artists like SWV, En Vogue, Jodeci, Boyz II Men, Tony! Toni! Toné!, and Jade were creating some of the smoothest, catchiest music of the decade. It was impossible to escape it if you listened to urban radio or spent your weekends at the clubs.

One of my absolute favorites from that era was Jade.

The trio- Tonya Kelly, Di Reed, and Joi Marshall- arrived on the scene in 1991, but it was 1992 that changed everything. Their breakout success helped launch their debut album, Jade to the Max, introducing audiences to a group that blended gorgeous harmonies with an undeniable pop appeal. They could deliver heartfelt ballads just as easily as upbeat club tracks, making them one of the more versatile female groups of the era.

The album's signature hit, "Don't Walk Away," quickly became their calling card.

Released as one of the album's lead singles, "Don't Walk Away" exploded throughout 1992 before becoming one of the hottest dance records of 1993. It climbed into the Billboard Top 10, crossed over onto multiple charts, and became a staple in dance clubs across the country. Even today, the opening beat instantly transports me back to that time.

What made the song so memorable was its perfect balance of polished production and emotion. The lyrics tell the story of someone desperately trying to save a relationship before it's too late, but instead of sounding melancholy, the song wraps that vulnerability inside an irresistible groove. It's emotional enough to sing along with while still making you want to get up and dance.

That combination was something early-'90s R&B seemed to do better than almost any other genre.

The production still holds up remarkably well. The crisp percussion, layered keyboards, and infectious hook capture everything that made New Jack Swing and contemporary R&B so exciting during that period. It sounds sophisticated without ever feeling overproduced, and Jade's harmonies elevate every chorus.

Following "Don't Walk Away," the group continued to find success with singles like "Looking for Mr. Do Right," "One Woman," and "Every Day of the Week." While they never quite reached the same commercial heights as some of their contemporaries, they carved out a loyal fanbase and left behind a catalog that's still worth revisiting today.

Like many groups from the era, Jade eventually went their separate ways by the late '90s as musical trends shifted. Thankfully, they've reunited on occasion over the years for reunion shows and special performances, giving longtime fans another chance to hear those incredible harmonies live.

For me, though, nothing tops "Don't Walk Away."

Every time I hear it, I'm reminded why I loved '90s R&B so much. It represents an era when dance music had soul, vocal groups ruled the charts, and radio playlists effortlessly mixed emotion with infectious grooves. It's one of those songs that instantly takes me back, and nearly three decades later, it still sounds just as fresh.

If you've forgotten about Jade or if you've somehow never heard them before, then do yourself a favor and revisit "Don't Walk Away." It's one of those songs that deserves far more recognition whenever we talk about the best R&B hits of the early '90s.

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Alexander O'Neal & Cherrelle - 'Saturday Love'

"When I think about you, my feelings can't explain
Why after all this time my heart still feels pain
When I look at you, memories of love like no one before
You stay on my mind
Special feelings, special times
(Always so special)
I was yours and you were mine
(Made for each other)
All the good I won't forget
(You will stay on my mind)
Saturday the day we met
For always and forever you'll be my Saturday love"

Ya' know that song that gets stuck in your head, but you don't really mind too much? Well, one of those little ditties for me is Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal's "Saturday Love". When it was released in 1985 it kind of solidified the two as one of THOSE R&B duos. The kind that was sure to have a hit together. On their own, both Cherrelle and Alex were poppin', but together was fire.

If you search YouTube you'll find recent performances of this song and it's pretty clear that these two still share a special bond. Alex has seen better days vocally but Cherrelle? Man, she still sounds great. "Saturday Love" seems like a great way to kick off this weekend so... here it is!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Al B. Sure!- 'Night and Day'

"I can tell you how I feel about you night and day

How I feel about you

I'll love you more in the rain or shine

And making love in the rain is fine

A love so good and I call it mine

Love is blind"

Al B. Sure! is one of the very first soul singers that I can remember actually being my own age when he first broke through. In the late 80's I thought of Motown when I thought of soul and just about every R&B artist out there in my age group was headed in a real New Jack Swing kind of direction. Al B. Sure! kind of made me stop dead and really listen. His song "Night and Day" hit Billboard's top ten and it was one of those end of the night request countdown favorites. The perfect song to dedicate to your boyfriend or girlfriend before going to sleep.

I know Al B. Sure! was popular but I hadn't realized just how many awards he was nominated for. We're talking Grammy's, Billboard Awards, Soul Train Awards... In other words, he had the music industry's respect as well as the fan's love. Al B. Sure! is still rooted firmly in the music biz and so are his three grown sons. 

Check out the video for "Night and Day" below. It's one of those songs that I always recognize 3 notes in!

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: George Michael - 'Jesus to a Child'

"And what have I learned
From all this pain
I thought I'd never feel the same
About anyone or anything again
But now I know
When you find a love
When you know that it exists
Then the lover that you miss
Will come to you on those cold, cold nights
When you've been loved
When you know it holds such bliss
Then the lover that you kissed
Will comfort you when there's no hope in sight"

I jumped on the George Michael bandwagon the very first time that I heard "Careless Whisper" blaring through my father's speakers. He and Andrew Ridgely put out some of the best pop songs of the 80's but I always felt like Michael really hit his stride in the 90's. He was grown and had experienced the harshness of real adult life. By the time he released Older in 1996, he had already lost one of the loves of his life and was starting to see the downside of fame firsthand.  I think he poured everything into that album and you can feel it.

"Jesus to a Child"  is one of those songs. You can feel the fragility and the brokenness in him and in his lyrics. For every fluffy pop song out there, there needs to be something as deep as this to balance the scales. "Jesus to a Child" has a way of uniting anyone that has felt deep pain and unimaginable loss. Sooner or later, we all get there and connect with this. Check out the video, it's George at his most honest. 

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: En Vogue - 'Hold On'

"The art of playing games now

Is not the hearts you break

It's bound to good love you make

When it's hearts on fire

 Give him love everyday

Remember he needs space

Be patient and he'll give his heart to you

Don't waste your time

Fighting blind minded thoughts of despair

Hold on to your love

You gotta hold on"

The late 80's music scene featured several pop girl groups. You had The Bangles, Expose, The Cover Girls, Sweet Sensation... all of them had radio and chart success but there was a formula to it. I don't think that anyone really anticipated the change that was coming when the calendar flipped and a new decade began. The 90's ushered in an era of New Jack Swing, slowjamz and R&B that was just amazing. Groups like TLC, SWV, and Xscape kept women front and center.

En Vogue was a major player at the time. Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis and Maxine Jones teamed up in 1989 and by 1990 they had a bonafide chart hit with "Hold On". It was completely different from everything else that was getting airplay and that's what grabbed my attention immediately. To me, this video and song kind of drew a line in the proverbial sand and from this point on women had to really step up their game in order to compete musically. Check out "Hold On" below. Do you think it was a game changer too?

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: After 7 - 'Heat Of The Moment'

"There comes a time in every man's life

You're gonna do wrong

I made a mistake girl..Just let me..

Just let me explain

I can't believe it

Although I did it

I've never been that kinda man

I must admit it

I wasn't with it

But you were the best I've ever had"

I haven't heard After 7's "Heat Of The Moment" in years and when I finally did, I was sure it was Bobby Brown. I mean, doesn't it sound like "Every Little Step"?? Except that I like it better than that song that Brown did for one of the Ghostbuster sequels. It was released near the end of 1989 when New Jack Swing was really catching on thanks in great part to Babyface and L.A. Reid's writing and production. They put out some of the best tracks of the era, including this one.

After 7, comprised of Melvin and Kevon Edmonds and Keith Mitchell, first got together in 1987 and found success right out of the gate. Their self-titled debut album spun a few R&B number 1's ("Ready Or Not" and "Can't Stop") that also did very well on Billboard's Hot 100. "Heat Of The Moment" remains my favorite though & I think it's a great kick start to your new week, so here ya go! Check out the video below!

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Lisa Fischer - 'So Intense'

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: Zhane - 'Sending My Love'

"Every time I hear your voice
And I look into your eyes
Sends a burning sweet sensation
Oh, inside of me
The look in your eyes
Has found me
I am sending
Sending my love to you
Praying that you are home
Sealing it with a kiss"

Zhane first caught my eye back in 1994 when their "Hey Mr. DJ" kind of became an anthem. They were a little hip hop but with a smooth neo soul groove thrown in. Their harmonies were tight and there was little there not to love. Zhane had a string of hits in the mid-90's but my very favorite is still "Sending My Love". It's a bit slower and smoother than their other stuff. Rather than rambling on I'm going to just tell you to check it out. Do you remember this?

Daily Boom Lost Hit: Shai - 'Comforter'

90's Nostalgia: Tevin Campbell - 'Can We Talk'

"Last night I,

I saw you standing,

And I started,

Started pretending,

I knew you and you knew me too,

And just like a roni,

You were too shy,

But you weren't the only,

Cause so was I,

And I've dreamed of you ever since,

Now I've built up my confidence,

Girl next,

Next time you come my way,

I'll know just what to say

Can we talk for a minute

Girl I want to know your name"

I'll never forget getting in a cab a few years ago. The driver was in his 40's and had big curly headbanger hair, still frosted as if it was 1988. He was wearing an old RATT concert tee that blended in with his sleeves of tattoos. He was on the phone at first trying to figure out who was going to get the Motley Crue tickets for him and his friends once they went on sale the next day and I instantly liked him. He was like a fossil leftover from the 80's but the thing was, he was the real deal. He stayed true to the music that he was raised on and had no desire to change any of that. Or at least that was my first impression. I've since learned never to think for certain that I have someone all figured out in a quick glance or three.

As the cab finally started to move he asked if I minded the radio and of course I didn't. Then he told me he didn't like what was on so he was switching over to a CD. The CD was Tevin Campbell and my jaw hit the floor. As "Can We Talk" started to play I told him I never expected to hear that in any cab, because years later most people don't seem to remember him let alone play his stuff. The driver loved him as much as I always have and we totally bonded over 3.5 songs before I got out of the cab.

Tevin first broke through in 1991 with his album T.E.V.I.N. but I wasn't hooked until he dropped I'm Ready in 1993. I think he was the artist that really convinced me to pay more attention to some of the slow jams peppering the charts, in between my Hole and Nirvana listening parties. The video for "Can We Talk" was shot in NYC's Central Park and I love it to this day. Check it out below.

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: H-Town- 'Knockin' Da Boots'

"I feel so good when I'm near you
That's why I always wanna be close to you
I'm so addicted, I'm so addicted
To makin' love to you, baby
All night long, baby, all night long, long, long, long"

H-Town's "Knockin' Da Boots" is one of my all-time favorite slow jams. The 1993 R&B classic hit Billboard's charts at the height of the New Jack Swing era and it sat near the top for several weeks in the spring of that year. Kristine Huskey, who is now a distinguished attorney and author actually appeared in the video as a dancer.

H-Town remained popular throughout much of the 90's and were putting the finishing touches on an album when lead singer Keven "Dino" Conner was killed in a car accident along with his pregnant girlfriend. The album was released nearly two years later but without Conner it didn't garner much airplay or distribution.  The remaining members of H-Town, Solomon Conner and Darryl Jackson perform some of their classics from time to time.

Currently Booming: Old School R&B Playlist

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Dan Hartman - 'I Can Dream About You'

"I can dream about you 
If I can't hold you tonight
I can dream about you
You know how to hold me just right
Moving sidewalks, I don't see under my feet
Rising up from down here below where the streets see
Me lonely for you."

It really is pretty amazing how one song can take you back in time. Dan Hartman's "I Can Dream About You" is certainly one of those songs for me. A little cheesy? Sure. But it was popular during the summer of seventh grade for me and 1984 is permanently benchmarked in my mind as my favorite childhood year. It represents bar-b-que chips, grilled cheese made under the broiler, and sneaking sips of beer in my friend's bathroom.

It represents neon accessories, summer vacations to Wildwood, NJ, and books filled with Scratch N Sniff stickers. Gold chains, seashell bracelets, and striped shorts. 1984 was all about the music- from watching videos on MTV to sitting outside with a boom box- music was always involved. Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, John Waite, and, of course, Dan Hartman. They were all in heavy rotation.

I can remember calling our local radio dedication hour and asking to hear "I Can Dream About You" on a whole bunch of occasions. The best part? I'm as happy to hear it now as I was back then!

Daily Boom 90's Nostalgia: En Vogue - 'Don't Let Go (Love)'

What's it gonna be 'cuz I can't pretend
Don't you want to be more than friends
Hold me tight and don't let go
Don't let go
You have the right to lose control
Don't let go

I love when every member of a girl group can hold their own vocally, don't you? Throughout most of the '90s no other girl group seemed to compare to En Vogue. When the ladies (Cindy Herron, Dawn Robinson, Maxine Jones, and Terry Ellis) first broke through with "Hold On" off their debut album Born To Sing in 1989 it was immediately clear that they would become a force to reckon with. From that first single on En Vogue found great success with nearly every track that they dropped and it didn't hurt that their videos were as hot as their music.

"Don't Let Go (Love)", released in 1996 on the Set It Off soundtrack is arguably the group's best vocal performance ever and it also marked the end of Dawn Robinson's stint with them. The single sold 1.3 million copies in the states alone and quickly became En Vogue's top international hit. It was also nominated for a Grammy in 1997, at a point when En Vogue's lineup and future were in a state of flux.

Years of legal wrangling followed the release of "Don't Let Go (Love)". Maxine Jones and Robinson both embarked on solo careers but fought for the right to still use the En Vogue name. It was a fairly unsuccessful plight and you can actually catch Ellis, Herron, and Rhona Bennett on tour now. The ladies are currently part of the lineup on various 80's tours that are winding their way across the country and yes, they still sound fantastic live!

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Atlantic Starr - 'Always'

"Girl you are to me, all that a woman should be
And I dedicate my life to you always
The love like yours is grand
It must have been sent from up above
And I know you'll stay this way, for always

And we both know, that our love will grow
And forever it will be you and me
Ooh your life is the sun
Chasing all the rain away."

Atlantic Starr had a female singer before they hired Barbara Weathers and singers have followed her, but none enjoyed similar success. Hers is the voice most closely associated with the group and it's her voice that you hear on songs like "Secret Lovers" and "If Your Heart Isn't In It". By the time the group's 1987 release rolled around great things were a foregone conclusion and the ballad "Always" totally delivered.

I was in tenth grade and it was the song for every couple that I knew, especially the ones that only made it three months. Let's face it, in high school a few months seemed like proof that it would last forever, didn't it?  I suspect "Always" still finds its way onto plenty of wedding playlists to this day. 

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Natalie Cole - 'Jump Start (My Heart)'

"Our love is running down, done fell into a slump

Give me a spark to get the fire burning

A get my engine moving, set these wheels a turning

Our love could use some rejuvenation

You bring the wine, I'll bring the sweet conversation

Romance is here to stay, I'll testify 'cause I need some today

So won't you

Jump start my heart

Charge me up when I'm running down

Oh, jump start my heart

Lift my feet up off the ground"

"Jump Start (My Heart)" is a bit of a lost hit for Natalie Cole. I think most people associate her with ballads and songs that serve as a tribute to her father (Nat King Cole). But by now, you know me and you know that I can't turn down a song that makes me want to move something. I mean, that's a good way to kick off the weekend right?  Check out the video below for "Jump Start (My Heart)". Do you remember it?

Daily Boom 80's Throwback: Teena Marie- 'Lovergirl'

Coffee, tea on me baby
Touche a la'
My opening line might be a bit passe
But don't think that I don't know I'm feeling for ya
Cause I got a vibe on you the first time that I saw you saw you

Yesterday I spent quite awhile listening to Teena Marie's Starchild from 1984. I have been on a real Tee kick lately, thanks to THIS GUY over here & his radio show, The Power Hour. It all started with my accidentally stumbling onto this clip of Jeanette Jurado's cover of "Portuguese Love" which just blew me away,

Once I realized that it was originally Teena Marie's song made me go back through Lady Tee's catalog of music and I had forgotten just how much of her stuff I actually love. I remember when Starchild first came out because her song "Lovergirl" was a huge hit. Like, it was played every 3.5 hours on the radio like clockwork and the video was constantly popping up on MTV. Not that I was supposed to know that because at that point in time my mom had banned MTV from our house. I remember sneaking it while upstairs and going to my grandmother's to freely watch videos.

The only problem there was that in 1984 my grandmother didn't have MTV so I was at the mercy of America's Top Ten countdown which had video clips and of course, Friday Night Videos. You remember that right? It came on at midnight and everyone tried to stay awake long enough to watch even if they had MTV, just because. 

So anyway, I knew that the video for "Lovergirl" was in heavy MTV rotation but I never caught a glimpse while at home. I had to finally see it late at night while at my grandmother's and I remember it being sandwiched between Madonna and Phil Collins. I was stunned that such a big, soulful voice came out of such a tiny pale chick. I knew Teena was tough though because she ran with Rick James and even though I was only 12-ish I totally understood what being his (sometimes) other half had to entail. 

While Starchild made me happy as a kid, as a grown woman I totally appreciate the unbelievable range of talent that Lady Tee had. It's a damn shame she left us so soon.