[ No. 21 ]

R&B's best brothers

by Cyclone Wehner

The male harmony group has been a constant since the birth of soul music. The golden age of soul saw its share of doo-wop ensembles, many now long forgotten, even if their legacy remains.

The 1990s have seen such outfits proliferate -- with every label developing at least one -- but few of these have made a lasting impression. Competition is all the more fierce given that Swing has become an international movement. Representing the UK are acts like Damage and Another Level, while Australia can push forward Past II Present, CDB and KPS-Jam. The growing tendency for multi-racial line-ups outside the US reflects not just the different societal boundaries, but also the universality of this music.

So who are the current hot tickets among R&B's male vocal groups?

[1] Jodeci: Freaky Southern Hip-Hop Soul
Homeboys with hardcore beats Still the one to beat in terms of influence and reverence in R&B circles. Initially signed to Andre Harrell's Uptown, Jodeci were groomed by a young A&R rep by name of Sean Combs (aka Puff Daddy). The Southerners combined their gospel roots, affinity to classic soul and harder street sensibilities to produce a trilogy of albums -- the first two of which ("Forever My Lady" and "Diary Of A Mad Band") are classics and the third ("The Show", "The Afterparty", "The Hotel", on MCA) flawed only by its lack of editing. While the bluesy K-Ci Hailey is among the finest soul singers of his generation (witness his solo cover of Bobby Womack's "If You Think You're Lonely Now", on the "Jason's Lyric" soundtrack), he is complemented by his equally soulful yet more introvert brother, JoJo, and the tight production prowess of the DeGrate brothers, DeVante Swing and Mr Dalvin. Taking an extended hiatus, all four continue to further their careers outside the group. Last year K-Ci and JoJo delivered the album "Love Always", which produced the runaway hit, "All My Life". A Jodeci reunion (and gospel album) is on the cards -- but not until after K-Ci and JoJo's next duo project. Classic tunes: "Stay", "Forever My Lady", "Lately", "Cry For You", "Feenin'", "Freek 'N You"

[2] Solo: leaders of New Classic Soul
A Temptations for the 90s, Solo came out with the slogan 'New Classic Soul' before any of those other neo-soul cats, like D'Angelo and Maxwell, had even arrived at the club. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis signed the East Coast ensemble to their A&M imprint, Perspective, and guided their self-titled first album. It proved to be the perfect vehicle for the two legendary producers. What's more, Solo were heralded as one of the most gifted new skool vocal outfits, with three distinctive singers (Eunique, Darnell and Daniele) and a double-bass player (Robert). When PolyGram executives pulled the plug on Perspective, prompting the departures of Jimmy and Terry, Solo were left in limbo. The label did little to promote Solo's recent sophomore, "4 Bruthas & A Bass", on which the group wrote and produced some fine material on their own. It's ironic that just as Solo have been dropped, things are picking up for them in the UK, whereas in Australia, Japan and Europe, they enjoy much devotion from soul lovers. Classic tunes: "Blowin' My Mind", "Touch Me"

[3] Boyz II Men: slick Pop-R&B foursome from Philly with a feel for Love Ballads
As the male vocal group that has most successfully crossed over to pop audiences, the Motown-affiliated Boyz II Men bring together the best of soul's old skool and modern production values in a sophisticated package. Although over time they have recorded their share of uptempos, BIIM's ballads remain their best work -- especially those produced by Babyface and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The relatively disappointing sales of their last album, "Evolution", has led to widespread speculation that the band are to leave Motown. The group have involved themselves with several extra-curricular projects including the launch of their (likewise teetering) Stonecreek label, along with its first act, Uncle Sam. Classic tunes: "End Of The Road", "I'll Make Love To You", "4 Seasons Of Loneliness"

[4] BLACKstreet: Super-producer Teddy Riley's current New Jack Swing vanguard
Teddy Riley's latest Swing vehicle has survived a major line-up transition (two of its original members quit), and produced a pair of slammin' albums. 1996's "Another Level" contained a welcome mix of ballads, midtempos and uptempos. A third LP is now due early next year. Classic tunes: "Before I Let You Go", "No Diggity", "Call Me (Fix Remix)"

[5] New Edition: Seminal Hip-Hop era vocal group dubbed The New Jacksons
Their reunion may have turned out to be a farce, with Bobby Brown publicly running down all the others after prematurely quitting the "Home Again" tour, but New Edition remain one of the most consistent, versatile and popular vocal groups of the past couple of decades, with each of its members showing individual flair, both within and outside the group. Michael Bivins even discovered Boyz II Men. MCA have since filed a law suit against New Edition (and the spin-off Bell Biv DeVoe) for not fulfilling their album deal. It can't end like this, fellas. Classic tunes: "Candy Girl", "Count Me Out", "Can You Stand the Rain", "Hit Me Off"'

[6] Next: Post-Jodeci Swing from Minneapolis
The most credible of the many post-Jodeci vocal acts. The Minneapolis-based trio Next have enjoyed ongoing success on the pop charts this year. Their debut album, "Rated Next", has now spawned a string of singles. The group didn't work with obvious producers - instead making use of their fellow Minnesotans Lance Alexander and Prof T (of Lo-Key?), along with KayGee (Naughty By Nature) -- and it's paid off. Next have their own sound. The group's RL shows promise as a songwriter. Of course, Next are also the flagship act for Divine Mill, KayGee's latest label endeavour. Classic tunes: "Penetration", "Butta Love", "Too Close"

[7] 112: Post-Boyz II Men Lovers' Soul from Atlanta The most credible of the many post-Boyz II Men acts. Somewhat surprisingly, this group from Atlanta are yet to cross over. 112 are aligned with Puff Daddy's Bad Boy label, for whom they have now delivered two albums. Just released in the US, 112's latest, "Room 112", sees them toughen up their image a little. 112 have also cut a few more club-oriented numbers. The members have moonlighted on various production and songwriting projects for their labelmates and others. Classic tunes: "Only You", "I'll Be Missing You" (with Puffy and Faith Evans), "All Cried Out" (duet with Allure)

  [8] Dru Hill: Deja vu Jodeci?
Today's most overrated vocal group, Baltimore's Dru Hill seem to be tripping on the fact that they are the new Jodeci. The husky Sisqo (he of the bleached hair) shows signs of greatness as a soloist, but needs to stop riffing just like K-Ci! Although Dru Hill's eponymous first album was a patchy affair -- with its singles saved by remixes - their latest, "Enter The Dru", offers a few strong moments, if it is at all possible to forgive the quartet for jacking the Jodeci steelo. Word is Dru Hill make up for it all as a live act. Still, it really makes you wonder where Solo would be now if they had the same kind of marketing push -- not to mention those over-the-top stylists. Classic tunes: "Tell Me", "In My Bed", "We're Not Making Love No More", "How Deep Is Your Love"

[9] Another Level: UK Swing
While Damage are locked in the studio working on their soph, their compatriots, Another Level, are blowing up in the UK with a solid eponymous LP, which showcases all their hit singles to date. This welcome multi-racial act have the R&B steelo but aren't so convincing as a live act. By contrast, Damage -- whose debut was, somewhat ironically, more of a crossover affair -- have the live thang in da can. Classic tunes: "Be Alone No More", "Freak Me"

[10] Take 6: Gospel Swing
The vocal group all the others cite as an influence. Take 6 started out as an acapella gospel outfit, but have gradually introduced more by way of instrumentation. The group have had limited success outside the US, where the market for gospel is strongest. Take 6's forthcoming LP promises to take things back to their acapella roots, which will no doubt delight their longtime fans. Classic tunes: "Spread Love", "Ridin' The Rails" (with kd lang)

Honourable mentions: Public Announcement, Ultimate Kaos, As Yet, Damage, Playa, 98 Degrees, Voices Of Theory

Missing in action: Today, Guy, Hi Five, Bell Biv DeVoe, Tony! Toni! Tone!, MN8, All-4-One, Soul IV Real, Society Of Soul, Portrait, Shai, Intro, UNV, Kulcha, Public Demand, 911, Total Commitment

Super (vocal) groups: Milestone, LSG

Floundering: Color Me Badd, H-Town, Immature, Past II Present, 4.0, Nu Flavor, Joose, Skin Deep, Ol Skool, 7 Mile, Jagged Edge, Imajin

Set for a comeback: Boys In Black, CDB, KPS-Jam, After 7, Silk, Men Of Vizion, Mista

Current Pop acts with R&B pretensions: Backstreet Boys, Human Nature, Five

Old Skool vocal groups still going strong: The Temptations, The Isley Brothers, The O'Jays, The Whispers, Force MDs "