As we celebrate the legacy of the King of Pop, I would like to use this week’s Second Listen Sunday to highlight not one of his solo albums but an act signed to his label, MJJ Productions. That act is Men of Vizion, who released their debut album “Personal” in the summer of 1996.
The group’s initial lineup included George Spencer III (G-Fly), Prathan Williams (Spanky), Desmond Greggs, Brian Deramus, and Corley Randolph. Staring out doing backing vocals for Hip-Hop legend Queen Latifah, the odds were in their favor when they caught the attention of New Jack Swing legend Teddy Riley, who brought them to the attention of Michael Jackson.
I was introduced to the group in the late fall of 1995 through their cover of The Jacksons’ “Show You The Way To Go,” which appeared on the soundtrack to “Money Train” featuring lead vocals by Corley and Spankey. Thanks to the production work of Teddy Riley, Lil’ Chris Smith, and Spankey, the song captures a ’90s aesthetic while maintaining the original theme of strength that comes from working together and supporting one another, ultimately leading to a sense of empowerment and achievement.
The group’s official first single, “House Keeper,” was produced by Teddy Riley and Spankey. Group members G-Fly penned the lyrics with It Riley and Sherri Blair. This sensual slow jam wisely avoids R. Kelly’s tropes, instead focusing on expressing a man’s deep affection and commitment to caring for a woman.
The vocals are split among group members as they highlight themes of love, devotion, and the willingness to embrace domestic roles traditionally associated with women. Three years later, it still holds up, but the sad thing is that if it were released today, the men would be called simps for recording it.
For the next single, “Do Thangz,” the group took it to the dance floor. Teddy produced this track featuring a few bars from underrated rapper Nutta Butta. Once again, produced by Riley, linked up with a young missy Elliot who was on the verge of blowing up herself. An infectious bop, “Do Thangz” is simply about living your best life without hesitation or apology. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fire remix from Rodney Jerkins that featured a Hot 16 from Missy Eillot.
Sadly, due to the overcrowding of the market for male R&B groups, the group didn’t get a third single. This is a shame because the album is full of solid tracks, from the opening ballad “That’s Alright” to the almost angelic “When You Need Someone” and the swing-infused “Instant Love.”
While Men of Vizion didn’t reach the heights it could have, this is a solid debut and worth revisiting.
Final Grade: B+
“Personal” is available on all streaming platforms.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit 2004 and highlight Romeo’s debut solo album, formerly of Immature. Titled “Food for Thought” and released on June 22nd, this project marked the singer’s change of name to Young Rome in an effort to distance himself from the youthful sound of his group, much like his bandmate Marques Houston had done a year earlier.
In the nineties, Hip-Hop reigned supreme, and every label CEO wanted a share of the lucrative R&B market. One strategy was to keep singers on their roster who could deliver catchy hooks, keeping everything in-house and saving money. Bad Boy had Carl Thomas, Death Row had Danny Boy, and Roc-A-Fella had Rell, our featured artist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday
Growing up in the eighties, I was surrounded by incredibly talented male R&B singers who could deliver unforgettable love songs. Artists like Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, and Peabo Bryson dominated the airwaves, but Freddie Jackson was another voice that truly deserved recognition.