Various Artists - Smooth Grooves: A Sensual Collection, Volume 1 (1995)

A collection of old school slow jams released in the mid-'90s by Rhino Records. Songs on this volume are from the years 1975-1985. Purchased solely for the second track; it turns out to be a spectacular compilation, full of songs from my youth.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart:  Did not chart
Peak on Billboard R&B albums chart: #52

Tracks:

• Reasons (Live Version) - Earth, Wind & Fire (1975)
  This live version doesn't stray far from the studio original, but they add a nice extended alto solo from Don Myrick.
• Always And Forever - Heatwave (1977, #2 R&B, #18 pop)
  THE BEST SLOW JAM OF ALL TIME! Here we're treated to the full 6+ minute version instead of the truncated 4.5 minute edit. Music by Rod Temperton (who would go on to write some hit songs on a little album called Thriller) and exquisite vocals by Johnnie Wilder, Jr. Did I mention that this ballad is THE BEST SLOW JAM OF ALL TIME?
• Forever Mine - The O'Jays (1979, #4 R&B, #28 pop)
  Classic Gamble and Huff Philly soul. I don't remember this song from 1979, but glad I came across it here.
• One In A Million You - Larry Graham: I loved this song back in the summer of 1980 and it's great to hear it again. Graham was the bass player for Sly And The Family Stone and has a great voice that has similarities to Barry White.
• Shining Star - Manhattans (1980, #4 R&B, #5 pop)
  Not as good as Kiss And Say Goodbye, but a big hit for them. This song reminds me of going to swim meets in the summer of 1980.
• How 'Bout Us - Champaign (1981, #4 R&B, #12 pop)
  Wow, this is a great compilation. This a great song, too bad the band never really followed it up with anything worth mentioning. The harmony vocals by Rena Jones get me every time.
• Love's Train - Con Funk Shun (1982)
  I read that this is a fan favorite, but it sounds fairly average to me. Maybe that's because it is surrounded on this disc by much better tunes.
• Love T.K.O. - Teddy Pendergrass (1980, #2 R&B, #44 pop)
  A slow jam classic that surprisingly never cracked the Top 40 when it was released in 1980. Since then, however, this song has been covered and sampled many, many times.
• A Love Of Your Own - Average White Band (1976, #35 R&B, #101 pop)
  The weakest cut on the disc, this thing never goes anywhere.
• If You Only Knew - Patti LaBelle (1983, #1 R&B, #46 pop)
  Here's another one I don't recall hearing before, but am glad to have discovered it here. Great Fender Rhodes part.
• Out On A Limb (12" Single Version) - Teena Marie (1984, #56 R&B)
  What a voice. Teena Marie was always underrated in my book. She could teach Brittney and Christina a few things, fo sho. Plus, she wrote most of her own material. Teena Marie died in December, 2010. What a loss.
• Silly - Deniece Williams (1981, #11 R&B, #53 pop)
  A nice waltz to close the album. When this song was released in 1981, I thought it was sung by Diana Ross. I wasn't really aware of Williams until Let's Hear It For The Boy from the Footloose soundtrack.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: When I was 13 years old and trying desperately to figure out how to woo women, I would imagine myself singing One In A Million You to a girl in attempts to gain favor. I never tried it for reals, but I think it might have worked except for the fact that, at the time, I couldn't sing as low as Larry Graham. It's funny that I chose One In A Million You over Always And Forever since the latter is THE BEST SLOW JAM OF ALL TIME.