Silk Albums (3)
'Always and Forever'
Release Date 10/16/2006
Tracks 10
Label Shanachie
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This Atlanta bred foursome caught fire in the early '90s just as the R&B harmony craze was reaching a fever pitch; launching Keith Sweat's Keia label, Silk scored a monster hit in 1993 with "Freak Me" and hung throughout the decade with a handful of other memorable charting songs. Though the trend that fostered their success was long over, Silk was still around in the 2000s, though their albums were independently released and somewhat under the radar. Shanachie, a label noteworthy for great R&B influence, smooth jazz, and creating great old-school R&B cover albums, was the perfect home for the group to record Always and Forever, an ode to some of their favorite artists, some from before their time (Blue Magic) and others who scored hits during the same era (Al B. Sure!). Keeping the spotlight on those million dollar harmonies, Silk pays its best homage when mixing contemporary funk rhythms with creative harmonic mixtures (including cool vocal percussion textures) on tracks like "There Will Never Be," the System's "Don't Disturb This Groove" and Shalamar's "A Night to Remember," but they're also dynamite on traditional R&B productions of Prince's "Adore," "Sideshow" and "Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)." That's one of three Rod Temperton tunes in the mix, showing the composer's incredible influence on the modern R&B genre This exciting disc isn't about making a comeback, it's about showing love for the music that inspired Silk's heyday in the first place. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Silk was comprised of ex-Independents ("Leaving Me") Maurice Jackson and Aaron "Eric" Thomas, along with Arthur Reid. If price was the barometer, this should be a great album by a great group -- the nine tracks sell for 20 dollars discounted online, with their first single, "Party 1 & 2," at six minutes and 21 seconds, the longest. While not worthy of its inflated price, it's alright. David Porter (Isaac Hayes' old collaborator ["Soul Man"]) produced the LP in Jackson, MS, at Tommy Couch's renowned Malaco Studios with mostly Memphis musicians. Except for Porter's Southern jerker "Ain't No Need of Crying," Silk members wrote all the tunes, including jewel-case gems "I Know I Didn't Do You Wrong," which is sweet, gutty, and sincere, and "Let Him Go," which is lilting and passion-filled. And listeners won't skip past the LP's best dancer, "Give Yourself to Me," or the uplifting "Live While You Can." ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
