Terri & Monica | Systa
Terri & Monica | Systa
This 1993 Epic Records debut, is an album I myself consider to be among the FIRST releases of a then unnamed genre of Urban music called Neo Soul ... whatever that is. It's just a wonderful collection of good music that has something for everyone ! The Hip Hoppers, The Lovers, The Mellow Minded Folk, The Smooth Out R&B Tipped Appreciators, you name it, this album has it !
Consisting of beautiful and talented singer/songwriters, Ms. Terri Robinson & Ms. Monica Payne, along with the help of some very talented musicians, and contributing writers, they produced one of the most promising debuts that year. One major songwriting contributor on this album, is one from their one time band member, Ms. Tara Geter-Tillman.
All three ladies were once part a collective called "The Gyrlz" signed to Andre Harrell's then Uptown Records, through a production & distribution agreement with Capitol Records in 1988. Their album "Love Me Or Leave Me" spawned a R&B hit in, "If It's Games You're Playing". Actually and factually, they were considered to be the FIRST "New Jill Swing" group that spawned countless others that followed this album.
First track, "Uh Huh" (video above), is a Hip Hop drummed beat fueled, tambourine laced, sound effect trip type of song ! ... and what a nice funky trip it is ! Passionately sung lyrics of how a systa appreciate what their man do for them, will make us bruthas say, "YEA !!" ...... Ummmm ?!?! ... and what that "what" is ?? .... You'll have to use your imagination on that one ! ..... and on behalf of us "Nubian Brothas" ?!?! ... YOU'RE VERY WELCOME !! ... AND WE LOVE YOU TOO !!!
On the Grand Puba of the seminal Hip Hop group Brand Nubian produced track, "Over It", is a wah wah guitared, tenor saxophone'd, electric bass guitar, & once again, Hip Hop drum beat programmed song. Lyrics of how a systa dealt with a breakup with a man she thought she knew, and she got over his, and I would assume this from a woman's perspective, TRIFLIN' !! , is the prime subject matter here.
The groove heavy "Next Time", and one of the best cuts on this funky joint !!, consisted of LIVE INSTRUMENTATION !! .... THANK YOU LORD !!! .... This is all I ask !! ..... This track, produced by wunderkind tunesmith, Groove Theory's Bryce Wilson, NAILED IT !! ... Whether the drums were programmed or not, IT KICKED !!, live electric bass, that ever present wah wah guitar, and the chops of the Hammond B3 organist, Bryce I assume performing this, OMG !!! KICKED ASS !!!! .. and how could I forget the soulful lead and background vocals !!! SLAMMING !!
"I Need Your Love", is a Gordon Chambers produced track. Gordon's a songwriter extraordinaire. Please refer to Brownstone's 1995's hit single "If You Love Me", that's Gordon. Once again, you'll hear live festive instrumentation. Bass guitar, rhythm guitar, a hot trumpet solo, nice percussion work, and the GOD BLESS filled ladened vocals of Terri & Monica ! Frankly, this track is a Soul Lover's Paradise !
My MOST FAVORITE song off this album, ...... and probably one of my most favorite songs of all time is, the Horace Brown produced, "The Way You Make Me Feel". Co-written by the QUADumivirate group of writers of Terri, Monica, Tara, and Horace Brown {Whom himself was a one time Motown Recording artist in his own right. Remember 1996's "Taste Your Love" ?} This song is for the "The Smooth Out R&B Tipped Appreciators" as I previously mentioned. The bass synth performance, the hard hitting snare drum, the light, but effective Hi Hat, and the major chords played on the piano (Presumably performed by Horace himself), still moves me today as it did when I first heard it 1993. Hopefully, it'll have that same effect on you .... THAT IS WHEN BUY IT ON AMAZON.COM !
"Where Are You Now", another Horace Brown produced gem, co-written by the same QUADumvirate as the previously reviewed track, "The Way You Make Me Feel". But this time around, the tempo is slowed down a tad to get that bubble bath drawned, scented candles thing going on Sexy whispery lead vocal of Terri sounds like a purring cat ready to be petted ..... Take your minds out the gutter, that's not what I meant ! The last thing I need is for Terri & Monica to call me a dirty ol man .... Hee ! Hee ! Check out the bridge of this song ! They took it to "chuch" a little bit on there ! SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL !
I guess this project was light years ahead of it's time to be appreciated by the masses in 1993. Now in 2010, 17 years later .... and not to make y'all sound old or anything like that .... and especially to you Terri & Monica ! You ladies still got it going on !! , this is an album that stood, and will continue to stand the test of time. Hear it for yourselves when you buy it at Amazon.Com. There are still some copies left ... I just checked !
Happy Listening !
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 3/23/2010 10:41 AM 
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
Randy great review, i was watching the video, and wasn't that flex and Bryce before they came famous.
Reply to this
Thank You Marvin, 'preciated bro ! ... Yep, that was Flex & Bryce
Reply to this
This was a great review! I felt the exact same way when I purchased this album. It has everything any soul music lover would expect in a good project. The Gyrlz/Terri & Monica were one of the best groups and it's good to know that others appreciated their work just as much as i did and continue to this day.
Reply to this
@Howard Ingram
Thank you very much ! I'm glad you enjoyed the review. It is truly indeed a great record. Unfortunately the follow up was never released, and that's a shame because it would've taken their career to next level .... record companies, don't you just love them ?
Anyway, I appreciate your kind words !
Peace,
Randy Holmes
Reply to this
I played guitar on Uh Huh and Intentions, the 2 singles from this album as well as on most of their second un-released album. Thanks for the nice review. Uh-huh had heavy rotation on the video channels. Never understood the lack of sales.
Reply to this
Hey what's up BG !
Thank you for your kind comments brother, I appreciate them ! The sales aspect of this great album baffles me still, it should've sold much more than it did.
Peace,
Randy Holmes
Reply to this