Toni Braxton "How Could An Angel Break My Heart?"

The dynamic duo of Kenny G and Babyface made appearances in two hit songs from 1997: Toni Braxton's somber "How Could An Angel Break My Heart?" featured Kenny's saxophone and Babyface's soothing voice while and Babyface's "Every Time I Close My Eyes" also included the saxy sounds of Kenny G (accompanied by Mariah Carey).

Michael Bolton "Best of Love"

Michael Bolton got some help from Babyface in "Best of Love"--a sexy ballad from his All That Matters album.

Pebbles "Love Makes Things Happen"

Pebbles got some help from Babyface in her 1990 ballad "Love Makes Things Happen".

Olivia Newton-John "I Honestly Love You"

Which version of "I Honestly Love You" is your favorite?  Olivia Newton-John first charted the sappy ballad in 1974.  Then in 1998, she re-recorded that same tune with her pal Babyface.  Both versions spent time on the Adult Contemporary, Country, and Hot 100 Charts.

Toni Braxton - "Breathe Again"

Toni Braxton can thank Eddie Murphy's dramedy Boomerang for propelling her career -- but she can also thank Anita Baker for being pregnant.  Let's explain: in the '80s, Braxton originally performed with her sisters in a group named The Braxtons.  The five ladies didn't manage to breakthrough, but Toni's solo effort with "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" on the Boomerang Soundtrack happened by chance.  Anita Baker was supposed to sing the ballad, but she was pregnant at the time and recommended Braxton sing the tune.  The result was Braxton's first solo hit and a record deal with Babyface's LaFace Records.  A year later, Toni released her first solo album with "Breathe Again" achieving Top 5 status on the Adult Contemporary Chart.

Pebbles - "Girlfriend"

There was plenty of drama behind the scenes of the song "Girlfriend".  According to songwriter Antonio "L.A." Reid, he and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds intended the song for Vanessa Williams' debut album.  However, Pebbles heard the song and offered Reid more money and two cars for the opportunity to record the song.  Pebbles won and Williams never got to record the song.  "Girlfriend" became Pebbles' signature tune as she turned it into a smash in 1987 (#5 on the Hot 100).  Oh, and as a result Vanessa Williams never spoke to Reid again.

After 7 - "Ready or Not"

Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds had his hands all over R&B music during the late-80s and 90s.  He was part of the '80s group Deele and later became a super producer responsible for hits from Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, and Madonna.  Babyface also founded Soda Pop Records and co-founded LaFace Records -- a record label responsible for TLC, Usher, and Toni Braxton.  Heck, the state of Indiana even renamed a portion of I-65 in Indianapolis after the successful singer, songwriter, producer, and Hoosier.  As someone who has driven I-65 numerous times, I am well aware how little there is to see aside from the creepy wind farm.  His brothers, Melvin and Kevon, performed in After 7 and produced the Top 10 hit "Ready or Not" in 1990.

The Deele - "Two Occasions"

Earlier this month over Labor Day weekend, I caught the Class Reunion Lunch feature on Indianapolis' B105.7.  During their Class of 1988 segment, Deele's R&B ballad "Two Occasions" sparked several memories of my sixth grade.  Sixth grade stands out in my mind as the year I made the transition from Catholic school to public school (see: big fish in little pond to small fish in HUGE pond).  I went from a class of 30 to 500.  After some early transitional hiccups, I couldn't be happier with my parent's decision.

Babyface - "Everytime I Close My Eyes"

Babyface got some help from fellow '90s pop stars Mariah Carey and Kenny G for his soulful tune "Everytime I Close My Eyes".

Babyface - "When Can I See You?"

Growing up in Indiana, I had to do a project in the 4th grade about famous people from the state of Indiana.  I chose the great Tim Stoddard, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched in one game for the White Sox in 1975.  I had his baseball card and noticed that he was from East Chicago, Indiana--hear my home.  I remember standing in front of my 4th grade class tediously reading stats from the back of Stoddard's baseball card.  Instead, I should have chose Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds for my project.  Born in Indianapolis, Babyface wrote and produced for Boyz II Men, Whitney Houston, Pink, Phil Collins and numerous other acts (Wikipedia lists over 40 different artists).  Babyface had a big hit himself in 1994 with the acoustic ballad "When Can I See You".