Published: March 26, 1999
Blackstreet
Teddy Riley
Chauncey Hannibal
Eric Williams
Terrell Phillips
While rhythm and blues has never been more popular or commercially viable, it has also reached a creative impasse. Beats that were once innovative now seem formulaic as hit after hit reaches the airwaves but the record buying public is left still wanting ... feenin' for music that does more than taste great.
It is into this arena that Blackstreet releases their third CD, Finally. More than a follow-up to '96's phenomenally successful Another Level (which would go on to sell 6 million copies and spawn the chart busting and Grammy winning #1 smash "No Diggity"), Finally is, as the title might evoke, a definitive statement. A declaration for the end of the century. Or to put it more succinctly and less poetically, the bomb.
Featuring Blackstreet's finely honed harmonies and solo turns, and the incomparable, but thankfully never predictable production and songwriting (note that word) skills of Teddy Riley, Finally sets the template for what R&B must sound like as we enter the year 2000.
Although Blackstreet has enjoyed continuous acclaim since its platinum debut in 1994, the pressure was on when it came down to recording Finally. "It was all internal pressure," Teddy explains. "Because we really wanted this album to be it, we went back home," Teddy points to his heart, "here," he gestures out into the room, "and then we went into tomorrow. The sound and the styles of music on this CD are so broad. It sounds like such a cliché to say, 'there's something for everyone,' but there's so much here that everyone who hears this album is going to be able to say, 'That's the jam. That's the song. That's the one."'
Offers co-founding member Chauncey, "I kept thinking this time, we need to come out of the box with another 'No Diggity.' But the more we wrote and thought about it, the more I realized, 'No. Let's be different, again, like we were with 'No Diggity.' Let's not go by those record industry rules. Let's make some new ones up."'
One
listen to Finally and it's clear that the group has taken it to
the next level. From the pyrotechnic grooves of "Can You Feel It,"
which uses snippets of the Jackson's song of the same name, to the lowdown
grimy bass beats of "Don't Stop," the sweeping ballad "In
a Rush" (which boasts harmonica from Stevie Wonder) or the inspirational
message of the title track (featuring the renowned gospel star Hezekiah
Walker), Finally is about R&B that is willing to work without
a net. It is confident and schooled enough to give the people what they
want and deserve, like everything Teddy Riley has touched in his 15 years
making music, and not just a collection of dope ass beats. It is that
bag of chips and the possibilities and the promise of R&B, delivered
by four of its soulful practitioners.
Three of those practitioners are no doubt (no diggity) familiar to Blackstreet fans. The latest component of Blackstreet is Terrell Philips. A native of North Carolina and a seasoned studio and touring vet, Terrell's powerful singing style is showcased on the anguished track "Misery." "Finding someone like Terrell is a blessing," says Teddy.
Along with Blackstreet's studio skills, the group has emerged as a potent live act, notably in an age when track dates seem to be enough to get the job done. In 1996, Blackstreet was featured on the sold out New Edition reunion tour, often stealing the show from the headliners. Armed with time tested R&B polish and state-of-the-art hip hop swagger, Blackstreet's concerts were embraced by fans throughout the U.S. and Europe. In fact the group was invited to perform on MTV Unplugged in the summer of 1997 and the episode proved to be the highest rated of the summer season.
In between sessions for Finally (held, as always at Teddy's Future Recording Studio in Virginia Beach, VA), Blackstreet contributed the first single from the hot soundtrack for The Rugrats movie. "Take Me There," which also features Mya, Ma$e and Blinky Blink, is a joyous slice of pop, flavored by Blackstreet's gut bucket vocals. "We loved doing that song," Eric smiles. "We're thrilled to be Nickelodeon's favorite R&B group."
The choice of cool kids and their equally fly moms, dads, and everyone in between, Blackstreet have rightfully taken their place in the R&B hierarchy. Classy, conscious, low-down and nasty, beat-down and bluesy. Soulful and sassy, rocked out and rumpshaking. Be it ghetto fabulous or ghetto savvy, on Finally, Blackstreet take it ... there.
"This is the CD we've always wanted to make," offers Teddy. One listen and you'll know why.
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