I really, really miss this type of singing. Trey Lorenz has the type of voice that will make you remove your shoe and throw it across the room at the tv. Audiences were first introduced to Trey as Mariah Carey’s protege’ on Mariah’s amazing remake of the Jackson 5 classic “I’ll Be There”. From then on, we needed to hear more, and Trey’s response was 1992′s self titled disc.
The set opens with the hit single, “Someone to Hold”. This is the type of track that sounded good when it was initially released, but it sounds even better now- especially in this age in which you have to hunt to find good music on the radio. One of the things that I always say is, “If you’re going to do a remake, put your foot all of the way into that remake”. Thank God that Trey does just that on his remake of The Commodores “Just to Be Close to You”. Trey takes the classic tune and laces it with his multi-octave range. The result is remake gold.
Grown Folks Music caught up with ’90s R&B singer Christopher Williams, after a recent performance in Atlanta. Williams talked about where he’s been over the years, the music industry today and of course a return to recording and a new project.
Where he’s been: Christopher Williams has been starring in urban theatre plays where he’s been acting and singing. (Remember his acting debut in the urban classic movie, New Jack City? The #1 single, “I’m Dreamin”, from the movie soundtrack is now a twenty-year-old classic.) He has a love for acting and calls himself an actor who sings.
About the music industry now and young artists: Williams said he believes there are talented artists today, but due to instantaneous fame vehicles–namely reality tv, anyone can become an artist rather quickly and the development of the artist is suffering and/or missing.
Why he’s coming out with a new project: Williams said he was inspired by El Debarge’s return to music and feels that his chapter two in music is more about the fans this time around as he is not a young artist looking for his first record deal. He has experienced success in the business and has the opportunity to write this next chapter just the way he wants to. He said that with his new project he hopes to have a “smorgasbord” of songs and make music that moves people to love each other again. He’s currently recording and working with some hot new producers and hopes to have the project out soon.
Christopher Williams performs November 2011, Atlanta, GA
Christopher Williams shows a fan some love, November 2011, Atlanta, GA
Why Grown Folks Music is missin’ Christopher Williams: Christopher Williams is one of the best male vocalists to ever pick up a microphone. Not one of the best R&B male vocalists, but one of the best male vocalists period.
Arguably, the best example of his excellence as a vocalist is his third CD Not A Perfect Man. A mature album–right up there with the maturity of Luther Vandross’ work at the time– was perhaps ahead of Williams’ time. Not a comment about the man himself, but about the project being a departure from the new jack swing and urban R&B sound of his previous album Changes, which, mid decade (1995) he could’ve easily continued to ride the wave of. Instead, Not A Perfect Man went beyond. With contributions from Gordon Chambers, Brian McKnight, James Stroud, Rashaan Patterson and Diane Warren among others, this could have/should have been Christopher Williams’ crossover album. Not that it was ever his goal, but the album showed enough growth, versatility and ability to do so. Williams left everything he had on the studio floor and proved he wasn’t just a R&B heartthrob, but a vocal performer on songs like “If You Say”, “Learning To Love Again”, “Not A Perfect Man”, “We Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye”, as well as a cover of the country song, “Down On My Knees”. But the album failed to launch and to take him to the next level.
The good news is 22 years after his debut album Adventures In Paradise, Williams’ voice remains in tact. He still sings with power and range. It’s not only that he can sing; he also knows how to sing. He’s never been too handsome or too cool to open up his mouth and let go. He’s a throwback to a time when singers stood flatfooted and just sang with no sound tricks and no stage gimmicks. If ever presented with the opportunity to see him perform live–get there. Williams has been talking about a releasing new project for a while now, but seems more passionate than ever about making it a reality. We wish him all the best.
When you mention female r&b talent of yester year you have to mention New Jersey native Sybil Lynch. Sybil has been recording since 1986 and still exemplifies true talent. Commonly known for her Dionne Warrick remakes “Walk On By” and “Don’t Make Me Over“, Sybil’s previous and current releases (albums and singles) have earned her great success not only in the U.S. but particularly in the U.K. as well.
Between 1987 and 1993 Sybil put out 4 albums; with her second album entitled “Sybil” having the most singles released she still seemed to only have moderate success in the U.S. Sybil has continued to make music and most recently (2008) released a single entitled “Shining Star” (available on Itunes). (more…)
The New Jack Swing era was definitely a period in time that no music partisan could ever forget. All thanks to Mr. Bernard Belle and Teddy Riley (who’s Bernard Belle? do your homework!). Originally dubbed The Gents (consisting of former members Ronald Scruggs and William McNeir) the group put out one song, “For You My Baby Love”, and shortly after, broke up. Two [new] members joined the remaining fellas; they soon signed to MCA Records and thus began the birth of the group Today.
The Englewood, New Jersey childhood friends, Frederick Lee “Bubba” Drakeford, Larry Singletary, Wesley Adams, and Larry McCain, were discovered by none other than Mr. Teddy Riley, who actually re-named the quartet and helped them ink a deal with MCA Records. Not long after signing, Jheryl Busby, head of MCA’s urban department, moved over to Motown Records and Today followed.
They released their self-entitled debut album and dropped their first single, “Him or Me” (do you want hiiiiiiiiiim….) and followed up with another successful single, “Girl I Got My Eyes On You”. The group toured the states along with other artists signed to Motown, at the time, and became very well-known. (more…)
Even if you are a little familiar with West Coast artists in the late 80’s/early 90’s, whether it be rap or r&b, this young lady definitely stands out as one of [the] most conspicuous voices, literally; both speaking and singing, of all time. Although her girly voice was that of a falsetto tone and a distinctive contrast to her singing voice, her womanly vocals proved her to be well ahead of her time.
I can remember listening to “Turn off the Lights” by the World Class Wreckin’ Crew (you know w/Dr. Dre, before N.W.A and the gangsta ways and the Chronic) and trying my best to get up all the air in my lungs and sound just like her singing that hook. “before you turn off the lights, let’s get one thing understoooood…” (what the hell-o did I know about turning off somebody lights?*side-eye*)
Her voice was strong, it bodacious, it was what a singer should sound like; it was everything that hook needed to be to make the song as infamous as it was.
It was none other than 18 year old Michel’le Toussaint aka Meesh-a-lay.
In 1989 Michel’le hit the scene with a well known singing reputation from her early days with the World Class Wreckin’ Crew and signed to the late Eazy E’s record label Ruthless Records. She released her self-entitled debut album and dropped popular dance/up-tempo songs like ‘No More Lies”, ‘Nicety” and “Keep Watching”. Her fourth single “Something in My Heart” was a very soulful and sultry ballad that had great success and became one of Michel’le’s most popular songs to date. (more…)
Talent shows have come and gone. But back in the day everyone who wanted that eminent recognition or reeeeally wanted to become a star knew they had to grace one stage, if no other, to showcase their talent. No matter how good they felt they were or how many people applauded their talent that first taste of notoriety didn’t come until they appeared on [the] talent show of ALL talent shows…Star Search. Making her appearance on the famous showcase at an early age, the blooming songbird performed Whitney Houston’s classic, “How Will I Know” and received four stars. Her voice would set the bar for young female singers to follow and she would also become the youngest female artists to sign a record deal.
Before Aaliyah (RIP), before Brandy or Monica or Chrisette Michelle or the “creole wonder” Beyonce, there was the one and only Tracie Spencer. (more…)
I’m baaaaaaaaack! Sorry for the delay GFM family. I missed YALL!!!! I hope yall missed me too. And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming…
Upon my return, I decided to mix it up and bring a little island reminisce twist to the series this week. “YA MON!” (in my loud Ja-faican voice)
Who could forget those “dookie” braids, her daisy duke shorts and that fierce dancing; slow wind, then tick, then wind, then tick. Aye, didn’t she invent the butterfly? (the dance not the “OTHER” butterfly-for the GROWN FOLKS). Moving along…
Born to the world as Dorothy Smith, this Westmoreland/Kingston Jamaica native was introduced to us Yankees Americans when she appeared on Shabba Rank’s song “Family Affair”.
In 1993, Patra released her solo debut album Queen Of The Pack and her popular singles, “Think about it”, “Romantic Call” featuring Yo-Yo and “Worker Man”, reached the top of the charts. Patra became an instant sensation in the states and her album reached #1 on the reggae album charts.
Two years later Patra dropped her sophomore album Scent Of Attraction, which reached #2 on the reggae album charts and #28 on the Billboards R&B/Hip-Hop. The 1st single off the album was her rendition of Grace Jone’s Pull up to the Bumper. The single featured the r&b group Guy’s front man Aaron Hall and managed to keep the queen on top. Patra went on to release the title track off her album “Scent of Attraction” which did fairly well but not enough to keep her afloat. (more…)
Heeeeeere Weeeeeeeee Goooooo,(singing) going thru the same thaaang; HERE WE GO AGAIN!
I still chant that line either out loud or in my head almost every time someone either says it [here we go again] or when I find myself in a repeated asinine situation (keep in mind I’m not the one looking for the asininity. It finds me). And that’s pretty frequent. And 9 x’s outta 10, if anyone is around that hears me they immediately chime in and then the question comes right after; whatever happened to Portrait?
This Los Angeles quartet hit the scene in 1992 with their self entitled debut album and the new jack swing hit single “Here We Go Again”. The four members, Michael Angelo Saulsberry, Phillip Johnson, Eric Kirkland and Irvin Washington III, actually managed to bump Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” down the charts after lasting 20 weeks at the top. Their follow up singles “Honey Dip” and “Day by Day” also topped the charts and led the group to platinum status. (more…)
and her popular singles, “Think about it”, “Romantic Call” featuring Yo-Yo and “Worker Man”, reached the top of the charts. Patra became an instant sensation in the states and her album reached #1 on the reggae album charts.
