Name this band and song

December 18, 2007 3:20 AM

Identify this song and band: American, male, R'n'B vocal group attaining brief mid-chart respectability in the UK in '92 or '93.

A tough one this:

I'm looking for a single by an American male R'n'B vocal group from the early nineties.

This would probably have been 1992/93. The band were part of that kind of doo-wop revival that Boyz II Men were part of, (standing around braziers on street corners, singing in terrifying close harmony...) I'm pretty sure it wasn't Boyz II Men, but the comparison is good: 4 or 5 members, identically dressed, probably a bit of rap in there, but mostly harmony vocal...I think their USP was that they were a vocal group that wasn't wussy.

I do remember that they *definately* appeared on "Later with Jools Holland" (In the UK) in appaling yellow leather tracksuits. They would have certainly been promoting their first UK single.

The song itself was a keyboard and drum loop kind of thing that I *think* might have borne a passing resemblance to The Roots "Next Movement" only with a bit of harmony vocal over the top and a wicked bit of modulation in the hook that really tweaked my ear (the only way I can describe the effect is in comparison to the beginning of the Beach Boys "Wouldn't it be nice" but not sounding anything like that.)

OK, so could I be any more vague? Help me chaps. It's driving me mad. What the hell was the song and who the hell were the band? Any and all suggestions welcome. The only thing I can't do is explain why I want to know this.

posted by Jofus to media & arts (20 comments total)

Bell Biv Devoe?
posted by chillmost at 3:39 AM on December 18, 2007

Yeah Bell Biv Devoe's a possible. More early 90's suggestions: Bone Thugz-n-Harmony ('94ish) fits your harmony-with-rap-not-wussy vibe. All-4-One fits the harmony part, definitely not the "not wussy" part. IMO.
posted by empyrean at 3:48 AM on December 18, 2007

The Pasadenas were big in 1992? They weren't American though.
posted by fire&wings at 3:53 AM on December 18, 2007

I think I'd remember Bel Biv Devoe - and this band were certainly brand new young guns back in 93. We're on the right track - but I think this band were more Bel Biv Devoe imitators.
posted by Jofus at 4:00 AM on December 18, 2007

Take 6? No rap, though.
posted by skylar at 4:23 AM on December 18, 2007

There's a genre on allmusic called new jack swing (I've never heard of that until just now) that the artist that you're looking for would fall under. At the least, it may narrow down your choices.

blackstreet or joe public sound like good possibilities.
posted by fizzix at 5:31 AM on December 18, 2007

New Edition, Troop, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Living Colour are other possibilities.
posted by iconomy at 5:31 AM on December 18, 2007

Living Colour? No, no, no.
posted by dirtdirt at 5:43 AM on December 18, 2007

[Derail: Oh come one Dirt Dirt. Funk Metal? Love Rears Up Its Ugly Head? Solace Of You? They were knockout. And, unless I miss my guess, Mick Jagger produced their first album. They were awesome :)

And no, I'm not ashamed. ]

New Jack Swing. Absolutely, that's the genre, but if anything, this song has a more retro Parliament vibe to it. (I'm absolutely clutching at straws here.)
posted by Jofus at 5:48 AM on December 18, 2007

Baby Be Mine by Blackstreet.
posted by goo at 5:50 AM on December 18, 2007

Oops I meant 'Dont Leave Me'
posted by goo at 5:52 AM on December 18, 2007

Actually I meant 'Don't Leave Me', and Living Color were awesome (philistine).
posted by goo at 5:58 AM on December 18, 2007

Holy living fuck. Goo nails it. And 1997, not 93.

Looking back on it, I've got to say: Why the hell has this song stayed with me? Well, I suppose it's a fool who looks for logic in the chambers of the human heart. Thanks everyone.
posted by Jofus at 6:04 AM on December 18, 2007

Um, iconomy, I know Living Colour is black and all, but they are a hard rock band.
posted by sneakin at 6:10 AM on December 18, 2007 [1 favorite]

Hello, and welcome to another episode of "Let's Have A Fight About Living Colour".
posted by Jofus at 6:13 AM on December 18, 2007 [1 favorite]

Um, iconomy, I know Living Colour is black and all, but they are a hard rock band.

UM. I'm not really familiar with any of the bands I suggested. I googled early 90s r'n'b and the bands I mentioned were ones that popped up repeatedly, besides Bell Biv Devoe and B II B. Don't shoot the messenger.

Hello, and welcome to another episode of "Let's Have A Fight About Living Colour".

I'm a lover, not a fighter ;)
posted by iconomy at 6:38 AM on December 18, 2007

He's a lover! Get him!
posted by Jofus at 6:46 AM on December 18, 2007

Or her. Whichever.
posted by Jofus at 6:49 AM on December 18, 2007

Aha, to clarify: Living Colour indeed may be the best or worst band ever, depending on who you ask, but it is rare for them to be lumped musically with Boyz II Men, Blackstreet, or Bel Biv Devoe. That was the source of my No no no.
posted by dirtdirt at 7:17 AM on December 18, 2007

iconomy, when you're relaying your own thoughts or ideas you're not just the messenger. I mean, you can't call "don't blame the messenger" as if you're hands are just typing out your brain's message. Sheesh.
posted by sneakin at 1:45 PM on December 18, 2007