Jodeci THE SHOW,THE AFTER P

Jodeci: DeVante (vocals, various instruments); K-Ci Hailey, JoJo Hailey, Mr. Dalvin (vocals).
Additional personnel: Steven "Stevie J" Jordan, Darryl Pearson (various instruments); Derek "Duff" DeGrate, Cliff Coleson (bass); Timbaland, Misdemenor, Playa, Rolita (background vocals).
Producers: DeVante (tracks 1-3, 5, 7, 9-22); Mr. Dalvin (tracks 4, 6, 8).
Engineers include: DeVante, Gerhard P. Joost II (tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21); Gerhard P. Joost II (tracks 2, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22).
Recorded at Dajhelon Studios, Rochester, New York and Soundtracks, New York, New York.
All songs written or co-written by members of Jodeci. Samples include "I'm Glad You're Mine" (Al Green).
Personnel: Darryl Pearson (guitar); DeVante Swing (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Playa, Timbaland (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: DeVante Swing; Jimmy Douglass.
Recording information: Dajhelon Studios, Rochester, NY; Soundtracks, New York, NY.
Arrangers: Dalvin DeGrate; Missy Elliott.
On Jodeci's first two albums, the love songs reigned and there was only a glimpse of their "new jack swing." THE SHOW THE AFTER-PARTY THE HOTEL brings out the funkier side of Jodeci, and properly balances the two.
Jodeci's music is equally rooted in gospel, R&B and hip-hop forms, and, when JoJo, Mr. Dalvin, DeVante and K-Ci sing, each can be heard distinctly. Like most of the album's songs, "Can We Flo" blends an R&B groove and powerful vocals, but succeeds primarily beacuse of the singers' gorgeous harmonies. As background singers for Father MC, Jodeci became skilled in singing over hip-hop beats and they played a major role in the formation of R&B hip-hop. "Fun 2 Nite" epitomizes the genre, and even adapts a brief part of the chorus from Kool & The Gang's "Celebrate." And, as always, Jodeci ably express the sensual portions of their sound ("Freek 'N You").
THE SHOW THE AFTER-PARTY THE HOTEL is a wholly self-generated/produced project: DeVante Swing is responsible for a lion's share of the album's production, songwriting and concept. So, blame him for the fact that after rocking the performance at THE SHOW, Jodeci knowingly slow it down at THE AFTER-PARTY, then freak it at THE HOTEL.

• Format: CD
• Released: 7/18/1995
• Genre: Pop