To urban contemporary listeners, Freddie Jackson is one of the biggest stars of the latter half of the ’80s, dominating the R&B charts. Jackson’s forte is sophisticated, romantic soul ballads aimed at adult audiences, but he is also capable of tackling urban contemporary dance fare and even the occasional jazz tune. Like many soul stars, Jackson was trained as a gospel singer from an early age, singing at the White Rock Baptist Church. There he met Paul Laurence, who would later become
To urban contemporary listeners, Freddie Jackson is one of the biggest stars of the latter half of the ’80s, dominating the R&B charts. Jackson’s forte is sophisticated, romantic soul ballads aimed at adult audiences, but he is also capable of tackling urban contemporary dance fare and even the occasional jazz tune. Like many soul stars, Jackson was trained as a gospel singer from an early age, singing at the White Rock Baptist Church. There he met Paul Laurence, who would later become his producer and songwriting partner.
In 1985, Jackson landed a record deal with Capitol and issued his debut album, Rock Me Tonight. The Laurence-penned title track stormed the R&B charts, spending a whopping six weeks at number one, and made Jackson an instant sensation on urban contemporary radio. “You Are My Lady” gave him a second straight R&B chart-topper. With “He’ll Never Love You (Like I Do)” and “Love Is Just a Touch Away” also hitting the R&B Top Ten , Rock Me Tonight topped the R&B album charts and went platinum. Another platinum-seller, his next album, Just Like the First Time, continued Jackson’s incredible dominance of the R&B singles charts; “Tasty Love,” “Have You Ever Loved Somebody,” and “Jam Tonight” all hit number one, while “I Don’t Want to Lose Your Love” went to number two. Later hits included “Hey Lover,” “Nice and Slow” and “Crazy (For Me).” The title track of 1990′s Do Me Again duplicated that feat.
