Throwback Thursday- New Edition
Happy Thursday Folks! All I’ve got to say is that if you’re a music lover, and you haven’t watched The New Edition Story on BET, last month, then you seriously need to rethink your life choices! To celebrate their career, we look back on one of their most underrated albums:
The year was 1996, and the sound of mainstream music, as a whole, had once again reached yet another zenith. Sonically speaking, no one can question that ‘96 was undoubtedly the best year in the entire decade for new music. To that effect, no comeback was more anticipated or needed than that of New Edition….whose members by this point, each had crazy success in both solo and side projects; but hadn’t released an official album together since 1988’s Heartbreak. The Home Again album is monumental because it marks the first (and only) album to feature all 6 members….with every member getting a chance to shine at some point. First of all, how many singing groups can you name in modern R&B that operate as a sextet; and Secondly, how often do you get to hear from each of its members, often on every song. It just isn’t done. More importantly, this album stood as the culmination of over 13 years of hard work and perseverance; making the shift from pre-pubescent, kiddie group; to young adults; to grown men…..a feat only ever achieved previously (and perhaps since) by The Jackson 5.
To me, what made this album stand out the most was the fact that, as a listener, you got to recognize and appreciate the unique and special elements that each member brought to the table; proving that they were always clearly at their best when they were together. Ralph was the “smooth and sensitive one (pun intended);” Mike and Ronny clearly provided the Hip-Hop flavor; Ricky was “the Soul”; Bobby brought the over-the-top the “front-man superstar” appeal; and Johnny fulfilled the “Grown and Sexy” role that the group lacked prior to his arrival. Let’s face it, we all know that Johnny Gill has been singing like a 55-year old man since he was in his teens.
Enjoy this trip 21 years back in time the album’s first single, “Hit Me Off.”
