Donell Jones-90's Artist of the week

"I said I left my baby girl a message / Sayin' I won't be coming home / I'd rather be alone."  If you know the next line to that classic song then you won't be suprised by our 90's artist of the week.  Classic albums are like warm blankets; comforting and always right on time.  And the difference between and artist who has a legitimate classic and an artist with hits is the difference between famous and timeless.  Donell Jones will forever hold a place in the hearts of any 90's R&B fan.

First on the scene in 1996 with his debut album, My Heart, Jones was the total package.  Able to write, produce, and perform his own music; Donell scored some modest success with his first single "In The Hood."  But his second single was where he knocked it out of the park (pun intended.)  Covers are always a tricky proposition and successful covers have to do balance two very tricky things.  You need to evoke the spirit of a timeless classic while at the same time putting your own memorable stamp on it.  Donell Jones' second single managed the impossible in covering Stevie Wonder's timeless classic "Knocks Me Off My Feet."  Not only had Donell successfully debuted himself but he had set the stage for bigger things to come.

The next few years would see Donell become an in demand songwriter and producer.  He lent his talented pen to hits from acts like Usher & 702 among others. While working with others he found time to record and produce his next LP for legendary Atlanta record label, LaFace.  Where I Wanna Be was released in 1999 and was an immediate smash. 

The first single entitled "U Know What's Up" featured Lisa Lopes (TLC) and shot to number one on the R&B charts.  The success of that party anthem was soon overshadowed by the release of the second single from the album. The title track "Where I Wanna Be" was the type of introspective, well-written slow jam that was missing from much of the R&B scene in the late 90s.  An instant classic It was Donell's second chart-topper and instantly solidified him as one of the most successful artists in the latter half of the decade.  Where I Wanna Be would go on to place two more singles in the charts and be certified Platinum by the RIAA. It would also garner Jones an American Music Award.

Donell Jones is our 90s Artist of the Week.  And don't think his success ended at the end of the 90s. Check out Journey of a Gemini (2006) for some of the finest grown & sexy R&B available.

-- KP