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Groove Theory's debut effort is an exquisite, even innovative album. Not only did it (in retrospect) help to herald the progressive neo-soul movement, but its melding of decidedly hip-hop production techniques -- steady drum patterns, plentiful loops and samples (though mixed with live instrumentation), even a modicum of turntable scratching -- with the emotional impulses and themes of soul was still a novel approach to making R&B at the time. Just a year later, in fact, Aaliyah hit commercial and artistic pay dirt with her second album, One in a Million, which plays precisely as if Timbaland had heard and then used Groove Theory as its sonic blueprint, right down to the cool, prepossessing vocals, which are demure rather than ostentatious, unlike the flashy singers then-dominating the genre. But Groove Theory need not live in the shadow of any other record, since it has an abundance of its own virtues. Its main attribute may be that it introduced the world to Amel Larrieux, whose alluring vocal stylings enliven the proceedings considerably, giving them a certain laid-back radiance. Even without her in the mix, however, the musical valentines created by former Mantronix rapper Bryce Wilson are so butter-slick and slide down so easily that the album would have been worth the time regardless. The delicious trip-pop singles "Baby Luv" and "Tell Me" are two of the most seductive, romantic songs of 1995, energetic enough to adapt to the dancefloor or win over the normally R&B-averse heads on the street, but also perfect mood music to play behind those sweet nothings during pillow time. And they aren't the only treasures tucked away on Groove Theory. Groove is not, in fact, merely a hypothesis but a reality throughout, particularly on expansive gems like the drive-time chill-out of "Ride," or "Angel" and "You're Not the 1," which beautifully whisk through jazz-flavored atmospheres. Highly recommended to a wide range of music fans.
© Stanton Swihart /TiVo
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A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Vocal - Amel Stowell, Arranger - Angela Piva, Engineer - Angela Piva, Mixing Engineer - B., Wilson, Composer - B., Wilson, Lyricist - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Chris Geheringer, Mastering Engineer - Dave Kennedy, Engineer - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Eric Butler, Engineer - Groove Theory, Performer - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - K. Deane, Composer - K. Deane, Lyricist - Kevin Deane, Keyboards - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - Ron Banks, Engineer - Russel Elevado, Engineer
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Vocal - Angela Piva, Mixing Engineer - B. Wilson, Composer - B. Wilson, Lyricist - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Bryce Wilson, Keyboards - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - D. BROWN, Composer - D. BROWN, Lyricist - Darryl Brown, Electric Guitar - Darryl Brown, Keyboards - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Groove Theory, Performer - I. Lee, Composer - I. Lee, Lyricist - Ibo, Bass - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - L. Larrieux, Composer - L. Larrieux, Lyricist - Laru Larrieux, Vocal
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Vocal - B. Wilson, Composer - B. Wilson, Lyricist - Bryce P. Wilson, Background Vocal - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Bryce Wilson, Keyboards - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - D. BROWN, Composer - D. BROWN, Lyricist - Darryl Brown, Bass - Darryl Brown, Keyboards - Dave Kennedy, Mixing Engineer - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Eric "Ibo" Butler, Recording Engineer - Groove Theory, Performer - I. Lee, Composer - I. Lee, Lyricist - Jean, Vocal - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - S. Jasper, Composer - S. Jasper, Lyricist - Sean Jasper, Background Vocal
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Vocal - B. Wilson, Composer - B. Wilson, Lyricist - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Bryce Wilson, Keyboards - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - D. BROWN, Composer - D. BROWN, Lyricist - Darryl Brown, Bass - Darryl Brown, Guitar - Darryl Brown, Keyboards - Dave Kennedy, Mixing Engineer - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Eric "Ibo" Butler, Recording Engineer - Groove Theory, Performer - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Vocal - B. Wilson, Composer - B. Wilson, Lyricist - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Bryce Wilson, Keyboards - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - D. BROWN, Composer - D. BROWN, Lyricist - Darryl Brown, Co-Producer - Darryl Brown, Keyboards - Dave Kennedy, Mixing Engineer - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Eric "Ibo" Butler, Recording Engineer - Groove Theory, Performer - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - Sean Jasper, Background Vocal
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Composer - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Vocal Arranger - Angela Piva, Mixing Engineer - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Bryce Wilson, Composer - Bryce Wilson, Keyboards - Bryce Wilson, Lyricist - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - Darryl Brown, Composer - Darryl Brown, Electric Guitar - Darryl Brown, Keyboards - Darryl Brown, Lyricist - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Eric "Ibo" Butler, Recording Engineer - Groove Theory, Performer - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - Trey Lorenz, Background Vocal
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Vocal Arranger - Angela Piva, Mixing Engineer - B. Wilson, Composer - B. Wilson, Lyricist - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Bryce Wilson, Keyboards - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - D. BROWN, Composer - D. BROWN, Lyricist - Darryl Brown, Bass - Darryl Brown, Co-Producer - Darryl Brown, Guitar - Darryl Brown, Keyboards - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Eric "Ibo" Butler, Recording Engineer - Groove Theory, Performer - Ibo, Bass - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - Darryl Brown, Keyboards - Darryl Brown, Percussion - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Gary Montoute, Keyboards - Groove Theory, Performer - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - Kirk Lyons, Bass - Lamont Boloes, Co-Producer - Mike "Dino" Campbell, Guitar - Mike Phillips, Saxophone - Ralph Rolle, Drums - Russel Elevado, Mixing Engineer - Russel Elevado, Recording Engineer - Todd Rundgren, Composer - Todd Rundgren, Lyricist
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Vocal Arranger - B. Wilson, Composer - B. Wilson, Lyricist - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Vocal Arranger - Bryce Wilson, Keyboards - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - D. BROWN, Composer - D. BROWN, Lyricist - Darryl Brown, Guitar - Darryl Brown, Keyboards - Dave Kennedy, Mixing Engineer - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Eric "Ibo" Butler, Recording Engineer - Groove Theory, Performer - Ibo, Bass - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - L. Larrieux, Composer - L. Larrieux, Lyricist - Laru Larrieux, Vocal Arranger - Sean Jasper, Vocal Arranger
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Vocal Arranger - B. Wilson, Composer - B. Wilson, Lyricist - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Keyboards - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - D. BROWN, Composer - D. BROWN, Lyricist - Darryl Brown, Keyboards - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Eric "Ibo" Butler, Recording Engineer - Groove Theory, Performer - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - Ron Banks, Mixing Engineer - Wincey Gleason, Background Vocal
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Keyboards - Amel Larrieux, Mixing Engineer - Amel Larrieux, Synthesizer - Amel Larrieux, Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Vocal Arranger - B. Wilson, Composer - B. Wilson, Lyricist - Bahnamous Bowie, Piano - Bryce P. Wilson, Keyboards - Byron Moore, Bass - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Eric "Ibo" Butler, Bass - Groove Theory, Performer - Jamaki, Drums - Karsh Kole, Tabla - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - L. Larrieux, Composer - L. Larrieux, Lyricist - Laru Larrieux, Background Vocal - Laru Larrieux, Drum Programmer - Laru Larrieux, Executive Producer - Laru Larrieux, Keyboards - Laru Larrieux, Mixing Engineer - Laru Larrieux, Percussion - Laru Larrieux, Synthesizer - Laru Larrieux, Vocal Arranger - Ron Banks, Mixing Engineer - Sky Larrieux, Performer
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Vocal Arranger - B. Wilson, Composer - B. Wilson, Lyricist - Bryce P. Wilson, Drums - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Keyboards - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Vocal Arranger - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - D. BROWN, Composer - D. BROWN, Lyricist - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Eric "Ibo" Butler, Bass - Groove Theory, Performer - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - Laru Larrieux, Vocal Arranger - Ron Banks, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Vocal - Angela Piva, Mixing Engineer - B. Wilson, Composer - B. Wilson, Lyricist - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Bryce Wilson, Keyboards - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Groove Theory, Performer - Ibo, Recording Engineer - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - L. Larrieux, Composer - L. Larrieux, Lyricist - Laru Larrieux, Vocal - Troy Montgomery, Background Vocal
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
A. Larrieux, Composer - A. Larrieux, Lyricist - Amel Larrieux, Background Vocal - Amel Larrieux, Co-Producer - Amel Larrieux, Executive Producer - Amel Larrieux, Vocal Arranger - B. Wilson, Composer - B. Wilson, Lyricist - Bryce P. Wilson, Executive Producer - Bryce P. Wilson, Producer - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer - D. BROWN, Composer - D. BROWN, Lyricist - Darryl Brown, Co-Producer - Darryl Brown, Keyboards - Donald Wood, Coordinator - Eric "Ibo" Butler, Recording Engineer - Groove Theory, Performer - Ibo, Bass - Jimmy Henchmen, Executive Producer - Kim Lumpkin, Coordinator - Ron Banks, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1995 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Album review
Groove Theory's debut effort is an exquisite, even innovative album. Not only did it (in retrospect) help to herald the progressive neo-soul movement, but its melding of decidedly hip-hop production techniques -- steady drum patterns, plentiful loops and samples (though mixed with live instrumentation), even a modicum of turntable scratching -- with the emotional impulses and themes of soul was still a novel approach to making R&B at the time. Just a year later, in fact, Aaliyah hit commercial and artistic pay dirt with her second album, One in a Million, which plays precisely as if Timbaland had heard and then used Groove Theory as its sonic blueprint, right down to the cool, prepossessing vocals, which are demure rather than ostentatious, unlike the flashy singers then-dominating the genre. But Groove Theory need not live in the shadow of any other record, since it has an abundance of its own virtues. Its main attribute may be that it introduced the world to Amel Larrieux, whose alluring vocal stylings enliven the proceedings considerably, giving them a certain laid-back radiance. Even without her in the mix, however, the musical valentines created by former Mantronix rapper Bryce Wilson are so butter-slick and slide down so easily that the album would have been worth the time regardless. The delicious trip-pop singles "Baby Luv" and "Tell Me" are two of the most seductive, romantic songs of 1995, energetic enough to adapt to the dancefloor or win over the normally R&B-averse heads on the street, but also perfect mood music to play behind those sweet nothings during pillow time. And they aren't the only treasures tucked away on Groove Theory. Groove is not, in fact, merely a hypothesis but a reality throughout, particularly on expansive gems like the drive-time chill-out of "Ride," or "Angel" and "You're Not the 1," which beautifully whisk through jazz-flavored atmospheres. Highly recommended to a wide range of music fans.
© Stanton Swihart /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
- Total length: 01:04:21
- Main artists: Groove Theory
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Epic
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B R&B
(P) 1995 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
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