New Edition HOME AGAIN

New Edition: Johnny Gill (vocals, acoustic guitar); Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Mike Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell (vocals).
Additional personnel: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Dinky Bingham, Stan Jones (various instruments); Mike Scott (guitar); Caroline Daws, Brenda Mickens, Helen Foli, Dick Massman, Laurie Hippen, Julia Persitz, Andrea Een, Liz Sobieski (violin); Alice Preves, Hasan Sumen (viola); Josh Koestenbaum, Laura Sewell (cello); Greg Hippen (acoustic bass); Edwin Nicholas (keyboards, drums, programming); Stokely (percussion); Alex Richbourg, Jeff Taylor (drum programming).
Producers include: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Silky, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Chucky Thompson, Jermaine Dupri.
The inevitable reunion of one of the 1980s' biggest pop groups was a long time in the making. The seeds were sown in 1991, when solo stars Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant joined their three former bandmates, who had found stardom as Bell Biv DeVoe, on a version of the BBD single "Word To The Mutha" (on WBBD - BOOT CITY! THE REMIX ALBUM). The results were overwhelming, and demand for a full-fledged reunion began. Now, eight years after the last New Edition album, the band is back HOME AGAIN.
Much has changed in pop music since the group's 1983 debut, but somehow New Edition seems to stay current, and get better, with each album. The ballads are more mature now; "One More Day" sounds like Babyface-style soul. "Hit Me Off" is HOME AGAIN's Candy Girl-Cool It Now-Count Me Out-If It Isn't Love pop song, and it has a new jack swing to it--not too hip-hoppy, but just enough to keep up with the times. Whether it be Johnny's strong, gospel-influenced vocals, Ralph's soft-toned harmonies or Bobby's crooning, each member adds his own flavor to this band's recipe, and the combined talent makes this reunion truly delicious.
Personnel: Ralph Tresvant (vocals, background vocals); Ricky Bell, Bobby Brown (vocals); Mike Scott (guitar); Johnny Gill (acoustic guitar); Andrea Een, Liz Sobieski, Julia Persitz, Brenda Mickens, Helen Foli, Carolyn Daws (violin); Hasan Sumen, Alice Preves (viola); Laura Sewell, Joshua Koestenbaum (cello); Edwin Nicholas (keyboards, drums, keyboard programming); Stokely (percussion); Jeff Taylor , Alexander Richbourg (drum programming).
Audio Mixers: Dinky Bingham; Greg Royal; Jermaine Dupri; Johnny Gill; Jon Gass; Kevin KD Davis; Phil Tan; Silky; Steve Hodge; Axel Niehaus; Tony Maserati .
Recording information: Daddy's House Recording Studios, New York, NY; East Hill Studios, New York, NY; Flyte Tyme studios, Edina, MN; KorssWire Studio, Atlanta, GA; Larrabee Studios, North Hollywood, CA; Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA; Trusty City, Los Angeles, CA.
Editor: Greg Royal.
Photographer: Albert Watson .
Arrangers: Jimmy Jam; Terry Lewis.
After the careers of all of the former New Edition members stalled in the early '90s, the group reunited in 1996 for Home Again. All of the original members of the group plus Bobby Brown's replacement, Johnny Gill, participated in the reunion, and instead of turning into a gargantuan clash of egos, Home Again is surprisingly even-handed and consistent. Essentially, the album sounds like it was compiled from the highlights of each member's unreleased solo project -- most of the cuts are very good, with very little filler on the record at all. Granted, Home Again isn't a cohesive effort; it's pieced together with various producers (Sean "Puffy" Combs, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Gerald LeVert, etc.) and songwriters, but the consistency of the performances makes that issue a minor one. Simply put, none of the members have sounded so fresh since the late '80s. They might not be breaking any new ground on Home Again, but they prove they can deliver gangsta-inflected hip-hop, smooth soul, and new jack R&B with style. ~ Leo Stanley

• Format: CD
• Genre: Pop