Originally published in 2003 on NE20.com (inactive)
“I wanna fulfill you, fulfill you, fulfill you
Oh I swear that I’ll thrill you, yeah
Give you all the love that cha need
May I take your order please?”
Gerald Levert and Edwin Nicholas wrote and produced this old-school slow jam featuring Ricky, Ralph and Johnny. The song unfolds like a well balanced, multi-course meal, with Ricky providing the appetizers and Ralph and Johnny serving the main course.
This song was just the beginning of Johnny’s collaborations with Levert. In 1997 Gill joined Levert and Keith Sweat to form LSG.
One thing I’ve always liked about NE is that they haven’t sung many songs in which they boast about their sexual prowess, which are a staple on many R&B albums. Nevertheless, I like this one a lot. Of all the songs on Home Again, this one has grown the most on me since the CD’s release.
“How Do You Like Your Love Served” is a perfect song for Johnny, but I’m more impressed with Ralph’s vocals. Ralph is a stylist and he holds his own with Johnny and gives a convincing, passionate performance.
Perhaps Ralph and Ricky’s presence keep Johnny from running away with the song, but Johnny gets the last word in as he closes with clever ad-libs (the “sunny side up/sunny side down” reference is great).
Will Leon 