The Evolution of Jodeci

Jodeci was a 1990's R&B group that consisted of four members. Two sets of real life brothers the went by the names of Joseph 'Jo Jo' Hailey, Cedric 'K-Ci' Hailey, 'Mr.' Dalvin DeGrate and Donald 'DeVante Swing' DeGrate. Growing up on the gospel scene, the set of brothers were brought together as teens with the same goal, to make music and history. So they left their hometowns of Hampton, VA and Charlotte, NC respectively to head up to New York where they would be found by hip-hop artist Heavy D. and Sean Combs 'Diddy' and signed to Uptown Records. It was there that they've recorded their only three albums. 'Forever My Lady', 'Diary of a Mad Band' and 'The Show, The After-Party, The Hotel'. As Jodeci evolved, so did their music as you can tell the differences between the three albums that they've released. Not to say that a change was a bad thing, but everyone has to go with the times, so hence the music direction had to change for the better. Or was it?

This was the first album ever that was made by Jodeci back in 1991. The music of this album was a mix of what was hot during those times. On side One you had all of your R&B songs where Side Two catered to the 'New Jack Swing' era which was still in it's prime. What I love about the album was that it showed you two sides to Jodeci. You have the soft and loving side which is Side One. Songs like the cover title, Come and Talk to Me and I’m Still Waiting made memories for those who went to their proms or even weddings. Some of these songs I even consider timeless classics for they can be heard today and still be a hit one way or another. Side Two on the other hand showed off their bad boy side. The songs on that side were very uplifting and easy to dance to. To me, there is not one bad song on that side if you like New Jack Swing music. It will have you do a little old school dance or two. Despite the fast tracks, they left the last song on a high lovable note, X’s We Share. After that song, it makes you want to switch back to Side One and play it all over again.

After an explosive debut, Jodeci had to step it up with the following two years later with the 1993's Diary of a Mad Band. As you listen to the entire CD, you'll notice that a few things have changed and that you know that there is going to be a little shift in music. Once again, the R&B side dominates. Beginning with 'My Heart Belongs 2 U', which I think is one of my personal favorite ballets. Very beautiful. But the hits that came from this side were 'Cry For U' and the very sexy 'Feenin'. Those two songs have kept Jodeci on the map as one of R&B's greats. Even the little hit 'Alone' can still make noise today. Side two is once again the fast track/ dancing side. You can hear that they've shed away the New Jack Swing sound for it was already not relevant for a more 'Boom Bap' sound. But as you go deeper into Side two, you can hear the shift of the East Coast sound to more of a West Coast. You can even hear it on Side one's 'What About Us' and 'Alone'. Although the musical direction was beginning to change, Jodeci couldn't sound much more better that with this album. It could've been one of their best had it not been for the poor promotion of the album when it released.

Now the change has come to full circle with the 1995's The Show, The After-Party, The Hotel. You can tell how much of a difference the sound is here as compared to 'Forever My Lady'. This heavily-influenced West Coast sound this album has is based on the fact that Jodeci was technically not a part of Uptown Records anymore due to conflict from within but was still a part of the MCA label. They've just about ditched most of their East Coast sound and a part of thanks goes to their new friend Marion 'Suge' Knight, who was running high and mighty with Death Row Records at the time. They even gave a thanks to him inside the CD sleeve. But let's get to the album. I know I'm a big time Jodeci fan and that what they do can't be wrong, but at the same time, if I see and hear something wrong, I'm going to address it no matter how I love it. So with that said, this is probably the lease favorite album out of the bunch based solely on Side one. But don't get me wrong, there are a few on that side that are gems like the upbeat and uplifting 'Get On Up' and the slick, sexy 'Pump It Back'. This time around, they've added a lot of intros to their songs where at the time a lot of artist were doing the same so I can't really complain about that, but I can't just go through this side without skipping a song or two. Side two is what makes this album and makes me forget about how bad it is. From the extended version of 'Freek N' U' to the lovable, walking down the aisle song 'Love U 4 Life', side two just saved the albums life. Even the final song 'Good Luv' let us all know that they were going out on top and they did. Despite what I've said about the album, I think that this is still a must have based on Side two alone.