Throwback Thursday- Groove Theory

If you’re old enough to remember Karl Kani clothing, Pelle Pelle attire, and First Down Jackets- then you more than likely rocked to the music of Groove Theory. The year was 1995; and with their respective forces combined, Bryce Wilson and Amel Larrieux were (in this writer’s opinion) one of the most impactful duos of the decade. They were the perfect mesh of Hip-Hop and R&B, and by far, the best that the genre had to offer; A marriage between the heart and soul of both Philly and New York. Bryce’s hard-hitting beats, mixed with Amel’s angelic vocal tone/riffs, were exactly what we needed to hear at that particular time in music. (As I’m writing this it puts a smile on my face to know that I came along in an era of music where we had Groove Theory putting out music at the same time as The Fugees, but I digress).

With their self-titled debut, the two created music that accurately provided an insight into what the culture was in the Mid-Nineties. Listening to each track, you can practically see the overly baggy clothes and Timbaland boots that were more than likely present for the making of this album. (In fact, if you listen closely some of those fashions may be even contributing a rap verse, hidden deeply in one of the tracks.)

What separates this album from the myriad of classics of that same period (with the exception of The Score) was that it really had something for everyone. Guys could groove to it because the beats were unquestionably street; and girls could get behind it because of Amel’s stunning lyrical and vocal prowess. It was one of the few albums that girlfriends could listen to with their boyfriends, and it not be considered too soft or too rough.

 “The streets will never love you like I do. You won’t find out until you’re alone; The streets will never love you like I do; So leave that all behind and come home.”

-          From Come Home

Enjoy this trip in time back to a much simpler time, October 1995