Babyface
The New Jack Swing Era owes a substantial part of its foundation to Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and the signature ‘Laface’ sound, crafted with ex-Deele bandmates L.A. Reid, Daryl Simmons, and Kayo. The Babyface touch was first felt on the hit “Rock Steady” by the Whispers in 1987; after that, his lyrics and melodies were being enlisted for acts including Bobby Brown, Pebbles, Whitney Houston, and much more. An interesting thing about Babyface was he made a habit of making other artists sound like him; it’s especially on Bobby Brown’s “Rock Witcha” that one can successfully imagine Babyface singing instead.
As a solo artist, Babyface was the consummate sensitive lover man in the late 80s. His double platinum sophomore effort ‘Tender Lover’ contained the hits “It’s No Crime”, “Whip Appeal”, the title track, and “Soon As I Get Home”. With a voice as soft and smooth as creamy molasses, urban audiences truly appreciated the ultra-plush recordings that Babyface churned out during the New Jack Swing Era.
Notable New Jack Era ‘Babyface’ songs include: “My My My” (Johnny Gill), “Love Makes Things Happen” (Pebbles & Babyface), “Superwoman” (Karyn White), “Every Little Step” (Bobby Brown) and “Dial My Heart” (The Boys).
By the time the New Jack Swing Era came to an end, Babyface had included hits by Boyz II Men, TLC and Toni Braxton into his repertoire, and circa 1993 released ‘For The Cool In You’. This album was a notable departure from the trademark LaFace sound, entering a new phase in Babyface’s solo career – his less rhythmic, more acoustic/straightforward approach. It was 1994’s summer hit “When Can I See You Again” that broke the fact that the urban audience already knew (that Babyface was special) to the mainstream.
Since then, Babyface has come to be recognized one of the most important figures in pop music history, particularly during the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s. Notable ‘Babyface’ songs during the 1990s are:
“Can We Talk” (Tevin Campbell), “Red Light Special” (TLC), “End Of The Road”, “I’ll Make Love To You”. “Water Runs Dry” (Boyz II Men), “Change The World” (Eric Clapton), and “Breath Again” (Toni Braxton).
Babyface has re-invented himself as an artist ready to tackle neo-soul on his latest album ‘Face To Face’ (2001). Whether Babyface’s audience will fully accept his new look and sound remains to be seen. But at this point, Babyface has nothing more to prove, and he can do whatever he wants. His songs have broken records, and his “midas touch” songwriting ability remains unrivaled. Babyface is among Pop/R&B’s finest producers ever.
Basic Black
This obscure Atlanta-based R&B group was released on Motown Records in 1990. Presented by *Gene Griffin (Teddy Riley's uncle and Guy's former management) only die-hard urban New Jack Swing fans know much about this group, their biggest hit being “Nothing But A Party”. The other two Basic Black hits were "Whatever It Takes", and "She's Mine".
The lead singer of Basic Black was Daryl "Dezo" Adams, who also went on to join the short-lived early 90s group ARB (you can find the ARB single "New Jack City" on 'New Jack Swing Mastercuts, Vol. 4). ARB was also a creation of Gene Griffin
Basic Black resembled Today in terms of their sound and style, but Dezo’s voice was more shrill than that of Today’s lead singer, Big Bub.
By the mid-1990s, Daryl "Dezo" Adams was working with Teddy Riley, and helped remix Blackstreet's "Fix" on the "Dezo Call Me Remix" which would eventually evole into "Call Me" which can be found on the 'Soul Food Soundtack' featuring Jay-Z. Then, Dezo became lead singer of a group called 911 which was set to be released on Teddy's Lil Man label before it folded. But 911 managed to release two singles: 1997's "In A Magazine" featuring Queen Pen on the 'Nothing To Lose Soundtrack', and "Cutie" -- both of which were produced by T.R.
Editor's Note: substantial information here was provided to Njs4ever by D. Perlberger. Thank you!!!
*and thank you to Zeyl Newsome for the other helpful info!
BBD - Bell Biv DeVoe
“Our Music Is Mentally Hip-Hop, Smoothed Out On The R&B Tip, With A Pop Feel Appeal To It…”
When Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant were planning solo projects, the remaining members of New Edition formed BBD, standing for the names of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie Devoe. BBD’s first album ‘Poison’ was an instant success, thanks to their fresh image, timing, and incredible production.
The singles “Poison”, “Do Me”, and “BBD (I Thought It Was Me)” all performed well on the Pop and R&B charts. After two more singles (“When Will I See You Smile Again”, “She’s Dope!”), BBD followed up in the fall of 1991 with the release of ‘WBBD: Bootcity! The Remix Album’, featuring their last New Jack Era hit, “Word To The Mutha”; a song that featured all six members of New Edition on one song for the first time.
BBD became noticeably absent for the next year or so. While the group performed sporadically (MTV New Years 1992, Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve 1992), songs like “Gangsta” and “Boot/Sneaker” never made it to their next release, 1993’s ‘Hootie Mack’.
‘Hootie Mack’ was a departure from BBD’s previously radio-friendly sound; instead the group had a rougher edge (probably in response to the dominance of Gangsta Rap at that point). The album was a critical and commercial failure, save for two songs: “Something In Your Eyes” (produced by Babyface), and “The Situation”, which would end up becoming the group’s most intriguing recording.
In December 2001, BBD returned with a self-titled album. While the first single “Da Hot Sh…” didn’t live up to industry expectations, perhaps “In My Crib” will, produced by Jagged Edge brothers Brandon and Brian Casey, featuring Ralph Tresvant.
BDP - Boogie Down Productions
Founded in 1986 by Kris Parker (KRS-One) and the late Scott Sterling (Scott LaRock), this group was an influential East Coast act that resonated well among urban audiences. Their most commercially successful New Jack Era hit was 1990’s “Love’s Gonna Get Cha (Material Love)”, a video banned on MTV, but aired somewhat regularly on Canada’s MuchMusic. BDP served as an excellent platform from which KRS-One (stands for Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone) communicated his message.
Big Daddy Kane
Originally a part of the ‘Juice Crew’, this NYC-bred rapper enjoyed his heyday primarily between 1986 and 1992. By 1989, Big Daddy Kane was an indispensable part of the New Jack Swing movement, with his Teddy Riley-produced “I Go To Work” being one of the most slammin songs to come out during that time period. Other notable Kane hits include, “Smooth Operator”, “It’s Hard Being The Kane”, and “Know The Ledge” from the Juice soundtrack, his last major hit. Kane is now considered a highly respected old-school artist, and he can still be heard on various mix-tapes.
Black Box
This group specialized in dance music, and they had three major hits in 1991, “Everybody, Everybody”, “I Don’t Know (Anybody Else)” and “Strike It Up”, all featuring vocals by Martha Wash (although you wouldn’t know it by watching the videos!)