The ’90s were good to the North Carolina r&b outfit Jodeci. All three of their albums in the decade charted well, and this 1995 record went platinum, too, and further widened their mainstream appeal.
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the album, this double LP version shows us again just why Jodeci landed at #1 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Album Chart.
The first proper song, “Bring On Da’ Funk”, brings plenty of beats, as the quartet blend their inimitable brand of soulful, hip-hop flavored r&b with a dance floor energy. “Fun 2 Nite” then uses dreamy guitar and bouncy bass for the harmonies and solos, and “S-More” finds itself in a setting with more emphasis on drumming for the romantic mood.
“Get On Up,” the last of the three singles, then brings hand clapping fun to the sing-alongs and rhythmic spirit, and “Can We Flo?” takes that lead into rich singing and thick bass lines that recruit an infectious energy.
Further on, the spacey sounds of “Let’s Do It All” bring a frisky atmosphere to the harmonic vocals, and “Pump It Back” continues the adult oriented theme of the record with falsetto vocals and a hazy back drop.
Arriving close to the end, “Love U 4 Life” is a textured album highlight that uses sophisticated keys to complement the powerful pipes, and “Good Luv” exits with acoustic guitar that highlights the outfit’s strengths in a more stripped back setting.
Jodeci are still very active to this day, which makes sense ’cause these 30-year-old songs fit right in with today’s r&b and hip-hop sounds. If you go the digital route with this anniversary edition, you get 12 bonus tracks that sure do suit The Show, The After Party and The Hotel.
