The Mix: Slow And Low Valentine Jams
Gerald Levert performs at the 98.7 Kiss FM's R&B Jam 2001 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Gerald Levert performs at the 98.7 Kiss FM's R&B Jam 2001 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
What is a slow jam? Is it any down-tempo ballad that speaks to the emotional ups and downs of a romantic relationship? Is it an R&B song about falling in love? How about a soul song that details exactly how badly the singer needs someone in his or her life? Do breakup songs count? Where does heartbreak figure in? What about beats per minute? Or is the determination more about when and where (and with whom) you listen to the song in question?
We know a few things, to be sure. It would not be a slow-jam mix without D'Angelo or SWV's "Weak." Gerald Levert is a hero. Teddy Pendergrass, Lenny Williams and Chico Buarque are titans in this field. Tony Toni Tone. Anita Baker. Keith Sweat. Oh, it's on.
You could debate the definition of a slow jam for hours, and are welcome to do so in the comments section below. Or you could click the listen link above, call your special someone and just see what happens.
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