Guy - Guy

CD Review

I would definitely do business with you in the future.

I received my package on time and in great condition. October 6, 2008

Three talented GUYS. 3 1/2 stars for the genesis of NEW JACK

Call Teddy Riley a mastermind for creating what would become one of the most popular sounds in R&B history, New Jack. Guy's self-titled debut is where that sound generated from. With their hits from this album which included "I Like", "Groove Me" and "Piece of My Love", there is no wonder why this sound became as popular as it did; the public just ate it up. This album is filled with songs that you can dance to and also resurface a slew of positive memories. In fact, the vast majority of these numbers are fast in tempo. Teddy Riley seemed to focus more so on the production of this album than the lyrics. What makes me say that? Well, some of the songs don't have many lyrics, but all of the tracks are very experimental (especially for that time, circa 1988). This album sounds dated from start to finish, but that doesn't necessarily serve as a problem because times do change, and believe me, The "New Jack" era had its heyday.

There is no filler on this compilation, but there are good songs and there are some songs that exceed good. "Spend the Night" and "Goodbye Love" are good at best. "Goodbye Love" is one of the few ballads found here. Aaron Hall has an incredible singing voice and he shines on every number. He does well with the lead vocals on "Goodbye Love." In fact, the other members don't hold a candle to Hall's vocals here or anywhere else on this album. They knew what they were doing when they made him the lead vocalist. "Don't Clap...Just Dance" and "You Can Call Me Crazy" are pretty good moments on the album, but the best songs were definitely released to radio. My favorite song is "Piece of My Love" because I love ballads, this song was not over-produced, and Hall sings the heck out of this song. The hook is great as well. "I Like" was a huge hit; I can still remember hearing it on the radio constantly. Teddy was very, very experimental on this track; I don't know how many instruments he toyed with on this song, but, somehow, it works. "Groove Me" was also very popular in the late 80s and early 90s. This song is so easy to dance to and the hook is simply infectious.

This album is a must for music lovers. It is by no means a perfect album but because there is history connected to it, your music collection would be remiss without it.

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "Piece of My Love"
2. "Groove Me"
3. "I Like"
4. "Don't Clap...Just Dance"
5. "Teddy's Jam"
May 16, 2008

Longing for old school...

For years I've been wanting to collect songs from the early 90's. I just happen to be browsing through Amazon and saw this Cd for a very reasonable price and I could not resist it. The Cd came quickly and I have been jamming every since. What I also love about buying from Amazon they tend to tell you what others bought when they make a purchase; which put me in touch with songs I had long forgotten! I am very pleased with both the product and the services of Amazon. Don't pass it up!!!!! May 8, 2008

New Jack Swing, Baby!!!

YO - this is the CD that kicked off the RnB sound of the 1990s - NEW JACK SWING!!
Hip-hop infused RnB changed the game completely and forever.

'Groove Me' - possibly the funkiest jam of all time??!

Teddy Riley and Co. are musical gods!

January 29, 2008

The Birth Of New Jack Swing

Back in the late 80's early 90's New Jack Swing was dominating the R&B charts, a subgenre blending R&B with Hip Hop beats. We all owe it to Teddy Riley that invented the genre one year prior to this when he produced Keith Sweat's debut album Make It Last Forever but he would be perfecting his invention with Guy's debut album from 1988 with a band that were singing far too more uptempo's then Sweat ever did which worked better with it's tough sound. He was also a member of this trio together with Timmy Gatling and Aaron Hall and thus having more impact on the sound then before. Like aformentioned, most songs are uptemopo's here, and who can forget "Groove Me" and the super catchy "Teddy's Jam" or "I Like" but that's not all this album has to offer, sweet ballads like "Piece of My Love" or "Goodbye My Love" pretty much make up for the abundance of uptempos. The rest of the songs are all good aswell, infact It's listenable throughout without skipping anything.

Although New Jack Swing is yesterdays's news and most of the songs are very retro it would have a huge impact on music at the time and inspiriring countless of copycats aswell as Riley expanding his genre and populizing it with Bobby Brown'sDon't Be Cruel that became a major crossover, something that Guy's album never managed. However, it goes back to the time when R&B really was R&B and not Pop and it's consumers mostly being of the same race. This album is a blueprint and would be recommended for anyone interested in exploring New Jack Swing or is a music collector. So what happened after?, Guy released another album The Future in 1990 before disbanding (later reuniting) that album wasn't bad but there were simply too many simular sounding bands out there at the time that it didn't stand out. Riley continued producing and founded Blackstreet, produced MJ's Dangerous and also discovered producers the Neptunes. 5 stars. Check it out. January 28, 2008

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