Delicious Pop

Love this hot new track from off SWV’s new studio album, I Missed Us. It’s “Better Than I,” a joint that addresses the fact that you really don’t have to look to far to find the perfect mate. The lyrics are fun and clever, “I’m a keep it 100. She ain’t got nothing. I can prove why. She ain’t got nothin’ on my Ooh-Ah. Don’t go thinkin’ she’s better than I.”

And the rest of the album is great, too, especially for SWV fans. There are a few cuts that pay homage to the group’s old-school style and swagger, in cuts like, “All About You.” On their first studio album in 15 years, the infamous girl group —now grown women— are working with producer Cainon Lamb, who co-produced music for Keyshia Cole, Beyonce, Monica and Jasmine Sullivan. In fact, you can imagine Sullivan singing one of the new tracks called “Keep You Home.”

Fans will enjoy the soulful songbirds rendition of Patti LaBelle’s 1983 hit, “If Only You Knew,” and if you’re looking for a traditional quiet storm jam, then check out “Time to Go.”  This album is an accurate representation of authentic R&B music, something few, new artists have been able to truly capture.   

Listen to “Better Than I,” and download SWV’s new album, I Missed Us —and you’ll discover why we missed them.

Vesta Williams, a popular R&B diva in the 80s, was found dead on Thursday, Sept. 22, in an El Segundo hotel room. An autopsy will determine the cause of death, but officials at coroner’s office in Los Angeles County, suspect it was a drug overdose that claimed her life at 53 years old.

Vesta got her start as a member of the group Wild Honey, and she was also a backup singer for Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Anita Baker and others.

She will always be remembered for her great sense of humor, magnetic personality and of course, her vocal talent. Some of her Top 10 R&B hits include, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” “Sweet Sweet Love,” “Special” and “Congratulations.”

On a more personal note, Vesta Williams was one of the first female artists I followed as a teenager. And this will probably date me by admitting this, but Vesta had me with her awesome sense of humor as witnessed when she made her first appearance on BET’s Video Soul, hosted by Donnie Simpson.  Much like most of her fans, I also witnessed her transformation from a voluptuous, full-figured woman to a slender, sexier celeb.

So today, Delicious Pop remembers Vesta Williams. Listen to an extended mix of “Don’t Blow a Good Thing,” one of my favorite songs by this fabulous diva, who will be sorely missed.

Well, there’s no DPop pick for this this week’s Flashback Friday, but this Rahsaan Patterson tune, “6AM,” has an old feel reminiscent of the S.O.S. Band or a joint produced by the 80’s producing duo, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

Rahsaan Patterson is best known for playing “The Kid” on the popular children’s TV show, Kids Incorporated (1983-1992). After the show ended, he sung background for Martika — remember “Toy Soldier”? Rahsaan penned a few tunes, including Brandy’s “Baby” and Tevin Campbell’s “Back to the World”.

In 1997, Rahsaan’s solo musical career started with the release of his self-titled album. During the last 15 years, he has worked with and collaborated with several renowned recording artists, including Van Hunt and Keith Crouch, on his solo projects. Currently, the Bronx native is touring to promote his new album Bleuphoria, which has captured the ears of this music lover.

Listen to Rahsaan Patterson’s “6AM,” and check out his new album if you’re looking for soulful, “quiet storm” music. His voice soothes your rattled soul’s nerves after stressful day. Just take one Rahsaan, and call me in the morning. You can thank me later.

Listen to Brian McKnight’s “Anytime.” It’s Delicious Pop’s belated Flashback Friday pick. I decided to choose a song by the R&B crooner because his new album, Just Me, is scheduled to drop on Tuesday, July 12. So until then, relax and listen to this slow jam from 1997.

We haven’t heard from Kelly Price in almost 4 years, but her voice still has its rich, soulful quality — something that’s been missing in R&B for awhile now.

You may recall Kelly from Grammy-nominated hits, including the remake of As We Lay, He Proposed and her collaboration with Whitney Houston and Faith Evans on Heartbreak Hotel.

Her new single, Tired, is a powerful song that truly showcases her powerhouse voice. It’s the first single off her self-entitled album coming out soon.

Delicious Alert: Kelly says she’s in the process of pulling together a tour with Faith Evans. The details haven’t been ironed out yet, but DP will keep you posted.