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.
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Harmonies, melody, range; the list could go on and on. But for Maxee, Mimi & Nicci those were a few of the key elements that brought this group’s vocal abilities so seamlessly together. This in turn, gave us the unforgettable sounds of Brownstone.

Formed in 1993 in Los Angeles, Ca, Charmayne Maxwell, Monica Doby and Nichole Gilbert met and after seeing each other on several auditions they’d attend around the city. Close to a year later the three formed and were soon signed to the late, Michael Jackson’s MJJ Music label (distributed through Epic Records). Their 1995 debut album From the Bottom Up was an instant success. Releasing singles like “Pass the Lovin”, “If You Love Me”, “Grapevyne” and their soulful remake of the Eagles classic “I Can’t Tell You Why”, the trio definitely made their mark and set a standard for other acts that followed.

What, in my opinion, also gave Brownstone a distinct added bonus was Nichole “Nicci” Gilbert’s contribution in co-writing 11 of the 12 songs on the album which rewardingly led to a 1995 Grammy nomination(for best female R&B group) and a Billboard Music Award.
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There are so many places I can began, things I could say, feelings I could express but I’ll simply start off by saying…SANG CHILE! That’s it.

I can remember being a young girl listening to KJLH radio (los angeles) late at night and waiting for one of her songs to come on. As soon as I heard that soothing and melodic voice, I’d close my eyes and drift off. Ms. Vesta Williams is among the many legendary women who have inspired my musical interest from very young to current. If there was a phrase in the dictionary called “lemme show you how it’s done”, her picture would sit right next to it.

Hailing from Coshocton, Ohio this singer/comedian got her start early performing in high school. After relocating to Los Angeles with her family, Vesta decided to start her solo career as a “sanger”. She was then asked by Ron Townsend (former Fifth Dimension member) to join his band Wild Honey. With a voice so powerful, it’s no wonder her gift became highly demanded. She soon found herself in studio working with acts like Stephanie Mills, Chaka Khan and the legendary Gladys Knight.

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Through my lyrical & literary journeys I’ve always wondered why reeeeeeally talented people don’t get the recognition they deserve. They seem to remain under the radar and instead, a lot of these wanna-be ballad belting buffoons that call themselves artists, seem to “vaseline shine” and continue to get the accolade.(my opinion) I guess it’s too much like right for REAL talent to stick around longer than the infamous “15 minutes”; anyway that’s a whole nutha story.

I was inspired to inquire about this Gary, Indiana church boy after recently attending a wedding and thinking to myself, how many weddings have you gone to and they [didn’t] play “You”? It’s almost like the song is an added bonus that comes with wedding package. Nevertheless, it’s a great song and will also be in musical attendance at my wedding. But I digress, again…

Jesse Powell’s voice was is nothing short of marvelous. With his distinctive melodic sound and outstanding replica’s of legendary classics like the Enchantment’s “Gloria” and “It’s you that I need”, The Debarge’s “I Like It” and the late great Michael Jackson’s “I Can’t Help It”, you would think his success wouldn’t have been so short lived.
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Ok, so as knowledgeable as I claaaaaim to be re: hip-hop , old skool r&b and other things unmentioned, WHY didn’t I know Cassandra Lucas was the chick singing in Sweet Tee’s 1988 video “Why did it have to be me”??? (That’s a throwback yall; if you remember that then I have to tip my wig to you. HA!) Anyway…

Hailing from the Concrete Jungle also known, to the untrained ear, as New York, this mid 90’s duo was introduced to us by no other than the “pied piper” himself, R. Kelly. While studying at NY’s Music and Art High School, Spanish Harlem native Cassandra Lucas and Bronx born Charisse Rose, teamed up to make music and give us the unforgettable sounds of Changing Faces.

With music still being the main objective, after high school, the two went their separate ways to pursue college and degrees. A few years later, they were reunited when they were hired on as touring background vocalists for the 90’s r&b singer Sybil (another GF missin’ nominee).
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Even if you are in the least bit familiar with R&B or hip hop you’ll know disappearing isn’t an unusual thing if you are or once were signed to Bad Boy Records (I’m just stating the facts, people). Sean “P.Diddy” Combs was known for signing great talent, it just seemed like the ink on the contract wasn’t even dry before fans were putting out APB’s on the artist. i.e. Carl Thomas. How could you forget about that song “Emotional”? The illusion video is as clear as day in my head; all that wind, the clouds in the background and those flowy clothes not to mention Stacy Dash’s guest appearance. “It was all a dream” (In my Biggie Smalls voice).

Carl Thomas stepped on the scene around 1999 with his memorable singles “I wish” and “Summer Rain” off his debut album “Emotional”. That album was so hot I couldn’t even get mad at the person who stole it from me. I’m just glad they knew what good music was. I don’t recall any other releases off that album but 5 years later (2004), his sophomore project “Let’s talk about it” was released. The reviews and fans seemed to have favored that cd as well but unfortunately it didn’t get much airtime.
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“Heat of the moment”, “Can’t Stop” and “Ready or Not” are just a few of the hits the Indianapolis trio gave us in the late 80’s. The group consisting of two brothers, Melvin and Kevon Edmonds (who are also the brothers to Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds) and Keith Mitchell (who was rumored to be their cousin but actually the cousin to L.A. Reid) made up the r&b group, After 7.

Signing to Virgin in 1989, they released their self-titled debut album and the Billboard# chart topper successfully went platinum. After 7 went on to record another celebrated hit off the 1991 soundtrack for the movie “Five Heartbeats”. The song entitled “Nights like this” became another chart topping hit; adding more great notoriety to the group’s reputation. Their sophomore album “Take my time”, released in 1992 also had success with singles like “Baby I’m for real” and “Kickin it”. After 7 dropped another album in 1995, entitled “Reflections” but soon after the release the group spilt due to creative differences. This group is definitely a part of that era where music was “memorable” so…
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From the TV One special, “Life After“. The show premiered last night, but airs every Sunday at 10p and 10:30p (est), check your local listings.

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