Brownstone | Still Climbing
Brownstone | Still Climbing
On Brownstone's 2nd release on the late Michael Jackson's imprint, MJJ Music, this time through a production and distribution deal with the then newly formed Sony Music distributed label, the Jordan Harris/Jeff Ayeroff led, THE WORK GROUP, we hear a much stronger and "take charge" vocally Brownstone. Following the Platinum success of their excellent 1994 MJJ/Epic release, "From The Bottom Up" fueled by the hit Gold certified single "If You Love Me" & "Grapevyne", we hear the fine vocals of new member Kina Cosper, replacing vocally, but NOT spiritually, the taken ill original member & dearly missed, group member wise, Monica "Mimi" Doby.
Though not as successful, sales wise, as it's predecessor, this is album had one, two ... possibly three non single released album cuts that could've been huge, if believed in. Original members Nicci Gilbert & Charmayne "Maxi" Maxwell, with Kina, all sound in perfect harmony with one another throughout the entire album. Let's explore this under appreciated "Diamond In The Rough" project.
Opening track, "Let's Get It Started", built on the guitar riff from the 1978 Herman Kelly classic, "Let's Dance To The Drummer's Beat", produced by hit maker Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, is a Hip Hop snare beat driven, electric guitar, kickdrum/cymbal crash, party song. All the ladies share lead &background vocal performances that are energetic, fiery, magnetic, and acrobatic. A rap verse thrown in by Mike Nitti caters to the Jeep cruising folk.
A single off this album, the Big Yam/Victor Merritt produced, "5 Miles To Empty", is a slowed down mellowed groove late night teaser. Lead vocals range from subtle & subdued to aggressive and sexy. Once again, the collective background vocals & fills, to a certain degree, take center stage. Lyrics of that of a woman yearning to be loved when the need is called for, will strike a familiar chord with the ladies.
The Rodney Jerkins produced, "Love Me Like You Do", had HIT SINGLE written all over it. Supplemented by the re-performed Average White Band's 1976 classic "A Love Of My Own", is yet another romantic, passionately, and lyrically sung beauty ! I love those "Supremes-esqe" background vocals and fills. Thick electric bass plucked notes, drum machine programmed hi-hat/snare/kick drum, synthesized acoustic piano performed lines and fills, and minimal DJ scratched drops, all work well here. Cool song !
The Swedish production duo known as Soulshock & Karlin, (Monica "Before You Walk Out Of My Life), produced, what I felt, was a BONAFIDE smash, "Foolish Pride". Beautifully played Fender Rhodes chords, MPC-60 programmed drum beats,synthesizer effects & fills, and magnificently sung lead vocals of Nicci pleading to a lover to not ruin a relationship because of his OVER INFLATED ego.
Another Big Yam/Victor Merritt produced gem, "Baby Love", is a nice vibrato oriented Fender Rhodes, drum programmed, mid tempo'd standout song. Vocals are performed to perfection as Nicci weaves &bobs around those heavenly pipes of hers.
My personal favorite cut off this album is the Tricky & Sean produced "All I Do". It's is a bass droned, hi-hat/snare programmed, guitar arpeggio chordal structured strummed performance. Nicci's lead vocal embellishes her upper alto register to keys I bet she never knew she had in her. .... but then again, I bet she did.Great rhythmically and moving song. One of the many strong songs here.
The Herb Middleton (SWV, Mary J.Blige, Kenny Lattimore, etc.) produced track, "You Give Good Love", (Not the 1985 Whitney Houston song of the same name), is a romantic evening, sentimentally felt, choral sung type of song. Again, lyrical subject matter is that of a woman appreciating the love given to her from her man, and it's expressed in earnest.
Closing song, the 1981 Alicia Myers R&B Quiet Storm classic, "If You Play Your Cards Right", produced by Nicci herself, and quite well if I may add, is a version that would make Alicia herself stand up and say, "Great job ladies ! I love the way you interpreted my song ! I'm proud of you all !! Now give me a hug !". The rhythm & vocal arrangement is pretty much intact. Not much to say here, but it's a wonderful and respectfully rendition.
"Still Climbing" for years lived in my CD player, and playing it again 13 years later, I had no idea how homesick it was.
Happy Listening !
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 2/21/2010 6:39 PM 
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Videos, New School Soul
Tags: Music Videos 90's Music
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Videos, New School Soul
Tags: Music Videos 90's Music
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