It's Been So Long Fellas!

I liked this new cd from New Edition. It was a mixture of new and old. Some of the songs fit into todays genre of music, but they didn't forget to take it back to the classic New Edition style, while still keeping the songs sounding fresh. Big ups to New Edition, and congrats to Ricky and Mike on their recent marriages.

New Edition Behind The Music On VH1 April 18, 2005

This album is definitely underrated. I can not believe that NE did not go triple platinum with this one. This album is a blend of NE, BBD, JG and RT, w/o losing that true NEW EDITION sound. Maturity and growth can defnitiely be seen on this album. This is a must have! If you're a true NE fan or a lover of GREAT music, you need to go pick up like 5 copies of this CD so you can have one in the house, one in the car, one at work and two on standby should something happen to any of the others. The CD is smooth, sexy and hip w/o being overt. My boys are at it again and I will make sure I'm in the house at their concert next

month.



PS Don't forget to watch their Behind The Music Special on VH1 04/28/05. It's a must see!

New Edition Between the Classic and the Modern

New Edition returned to the scene after a long hiatus away. I must say that I do not vividly remember New Edition. Of course, I have heard about them from my parents and in many musical circles, I really do not remember any of their music from back then. I was a product of the Hip-Hop and Pop of the late, late 90s and early 2000's. I decided to get their CD because I do know they are a veteran group who has influenced my favorite modern R&B group, Jagged Edge so why not get their CD. I remember hearing Johnny Gill in the 90s and who could forget BellBivDevoe or Bobby Brown Plus Hot2Nite was not a bad song.





BEEN SO LONG-Produced by Stevie J, this mid-tempo has a very live feel to it which I heard New Edition is a good group live. The song is a nice opener as it talks about the fact that although they have been away for some time, they are still loved and admired. The vocals are ok and the song is a good first song although there is nothing extremely unique about the song. A-



HOT2NITE- Produced by Ryan Leslie, the first single that took off but after a nice initial take-off fell off relatively fast. The song is hot. At first, I did not like it because it reminded me of old 90's music like this but after seeing the video so much and hearing it played so frequently on the local Urban Radio station, I started appreciating the song. The vocals are hot and on pitch throughout the track which strengthens and song. A



SEXY LADY- Produced by Stevie J and a mid-tempo, this song does not really do anything new. It sounds like something B2K or somebody in these younger groups would tackle. It is not until the bridge/chorus that the harmonies can through and save the song but it is a common, filler cut that anyone could do. B



LAST TIME- Produced by Steve Estiverne, the track is a mid-tempo with a haunting quality background horn/violin beat. It speaks about being hurt for the last time. The vocal arrangements fit the song and the production is not bad. The lead vocalists who is a whiner can sing and whine pretty good and does it ably on this cut but like the last track, there is nothing special about it although it does fit NE better than the latter song. B+



ALL ON yOU- Produced by Ron Freemster and Big Chuck, this semi-uptempo that has a beat kind of similar to HOT2NITE has a rapper that dominates most of the first part of the song. This cut is another filler and the vocals sound like something that any of these young singers could do. B



WILDEST DREAMS- Produced by Nisan Stewart, P Diddy and Mario Winans, aside from a couple of the last tracks, this song comes across as one that actually fits NE. They sound comfortable and in their element singing this kind of song which sounds modern and throwback at the same time- like something they could have sung back then. The vocals are on point. I like the topic in the song of blowing a girl's wildest dreams. Definitely a hot song. A



START TURNIN' ME ON- Produced by Andre Harris and Vidal Davis, this song confirms to me the importance of the producer as Harris and Davis are emerging as some prominent R&B producers, this is the first uptempo, faster cut next to HOT2NITE that fits NE. The background, harmonized "oooo's" sound hot and fit the song. They just sound good and unlike ALL ON yOU the rap fits here. A-



LOVE AGAIN- Produced by Richard Fierson, this midtempo is not a bad song but at the same time it is nothing spectacular. It sounds better than some of the other tracks that just do not fit NE at all but there is something about the song that I cannot get with probably the fact that it sounds like a weaker and faster version of WILDEST DREAMS. B



THAT'S WHY I LIED- Here NE goes again. This is classic NE although I fully do not know what that is. Produced by the Co-Stars who have made some pretty strong R&B songs, this mid-tempo with the water drops, the good vocals and the message that so many men grapple with of having to lie in order to keep the girl they want to stay with inspite the playing around or other relationship mess-ups. Many people can relate to this. A hot song. I could see a video for this even though it really is not a commercial, radio hit. A



COME HOME WITH ME- Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, prominent 1990's producers (Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle), this song shows that they need Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for some more songs. The song's title says it all on what the song about but Johnny Gill's vocals, the slow groove of the song, the harmonized vocals and the overall arrangement of the song makes it work unlike very few of the others. The song is sexual but it works all the way. Johnny lets loose at the end and makes me see why I miss him as an artist although I can only remember my parents listening to him when I was younger. A+



BEST MAN- Produced by Michael Winans Jr. and Chip Dixon, I am disappointed that this bland, unoriginal filler follows the very strong song that precedes it. The song just does not fit them as it is soemthing that ANYBODY could do and NE is not just anybody. B



RE-WRITE THE MEMORIES- Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. See they know what to do with NE unlike any others. This song which received minimal radio play as the second single is the reason I brought the CD. This throwback but modern ballad with the harmonized vocals, the good arrangement and the killer bridge lead by Johnny Gill makes this THE BEST song on the CD. So many people can relate to this of wanting to re-write or change memories in a relationship that goes sour. I just wish the song could have done better. A+



NEWNESS- Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Once again this CD should have had them all through it. This laidback, gentle midtempo sounds classic but modern at the same time. They take turns singing the song and sound all the way comfortable singing about the newness they see in the one they love. The song is a standout no doubt. A+



FEELIN' IT- Produced by Ryan Leslie and Richard Fierson, this filler should have not been included on the CD at all especially after those two standout Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis tracks. B-



LEAVE ME- Produced by Michael Winans Jr. and Chip Dixon, this heartfelt and emotive ballad about loving someone SO MUCH but knowing that the love is gone so it is time to just give it up. The vocals are on-point and they get the message across. I listen to this song so much and it does get at your emotions because it is something that many of us can relate to. A+



Overall, the CD shows that they would have been better scrapping some of the weaker filler tracks that anyone could do. New Edition is not anyone so they should not be singing anything so only a few of the mid-tempos work. Taken that R&B has currently been experiencing somewhat of a resurgence with the classics of R&B receiving emphasis like John Legend, Alicia Keys and many of the veteran artists last year like Teena Marie, Al Green, Luther, it would have been better if they would have emphasized that classical sound with a modern twist even with rappers if need be as some of the songs do. It is ridiculous how good the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced tracks sound especially in relation to the others many of which are weak. I am mad that the CD got lost in the mix and it did not live it up to its potential in sales nor in material. The men are all in good voice still and Johnny still blows it up. A good addition to anyone's CD.