When Geffen released Hits early on in 2004, there were a few New Edition compilations previously available, each one with its own set of problems. Released in 1991, Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (looks like that second volume will never happen) threw in only 11 cuts; 1998's Lost in Love: The Best of Slow Jams obviously left out the upbeat numbers; 2000's All the Number Ones ignored a number of significant, albeit lower-performing, hits. More importantly, almost all of these sets -- including 1996'   [ read more ]

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An excellent idea that might be slightly disappointing in the execution, All the Number Ones collects 18 singles that topped Billboard magazine's R&B charts, all performed either by New Edition or its members in their various outside projects. That results in a terrific, endlessly playable collection of urban pop-soul and new jack swing, but it also means that several of the collective's best-known songs are left off simply because they didn't top the R&B charts. Missing in action are {$Bobb   [ read more ]

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This album marked New Edition's growth and maturity due in part to the production work of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and the addition of group newcomer Johnny Gill. The first single from the much anticipated album was "If Isn't Love." With its percussive rhythm and frigid keyboard effects, Ralph Tresvant applies his rigidly smooth tenor to this mid-tempo dance cut. The single peaked at number two and seven on the Billboard R&B and pop charts, respectively. The second single, {&"You're N   [ read more ]

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After the careers of all of the former New Edition members stalled in the early '90s, the group reunited in 1996 for Home Again. All of the original members of the group plus Bobby Brown's replacement, Johnny Gill, participated in the reunion, and instead of turning into a gargantuan clash of egos, Home Again is surprisingly even-handed and consistent. Essentially, the album sounds like it was compiled from the highlights of each member's unreleased solo project -- most of the cuts are very g   [ read more ]

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Maurice Starr's vision peaked with this second album by New Edition. They were now thoroughly Jackson 5 clones and were reaping similar commercial dividends thanks to the teen angst cuts "Cool It Now" and "Mr. Telephone Man." They earned their first platinum album, one Top Ten hit and another Top 20 pop single (both songs topped the R&B charts) and were among the hottest acts in either pop or R&B during this stretch. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

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When Maurice Starr uncovered the talents of a Roxbury vocal group in the early '80s, he envisioned a second Jackson 5. That was the direction he took New Edition in its early days, and this album includes such overt Jackson 5 ripoffs as "Candy Girl" and the title track. None of the toughness or street touches that emerged on their later material was evident on this slick, pop-oriented session. Ralph Tresvant, Ronald DeVoe, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, and Bobby Brown were all   [ read more ]

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Original issued in 1985 as Christmas All Over the World, this record was produced by Maurice Starr and company not only to serve as a stopgap between records, but to keep the New Edition name out there in the public eye. This aside, it's still a pretty good record, with both new and traditional holiday songs thrown in the mix. As a special bonus, Johnny Gill's "Give Love on Christmas Day" from the 1989 Motown Christmas Album is added on at the end. It's still a fun listen, however da   [ read more ]

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For those who missed out on New Edition's excellent Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 or their 2003 compilation simply entitled Hits, this 20th Century Masters collection is an economically sensible survey of the band's long and evolving career from their years as bubblegum kid crooners to serious new jack swingers to powerhouse R&B icons. All of the big hits are represented here: "Cool It Now," the Ray Parker, Jr.-penned "Mr. Telephone Man," "Earth Angel" (the big romantic number from    [ read more ]

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Changes were on the horizon for New Edition. They had become enormously successful by aping the Jackson 5, but were undergoing internal trauma as original member Bobby Brown bolted amid rumors of dissatisfaction with the group's direction. Under the Blue Moon featured their covers of '50s and '60s standards and was among early examples of the retro trend now so prominent in urban contemporary camps. While they didn't do this type of material nearly as well as the Force M.D.'s, they at l   [ read more ]

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The two-disc Gold is somewhat like 2004's Hits and 1996's New Edition Solo Hits combined into one package, albeit with some updating. Rather than separate the group hits from the solo hits, it runs in chronological order. So, for instance, Bobby Brown's "Don't Be Cruel" and "My Prerogative" come after "If It Isn't Love" and before "Can You Stand the Rain," and Bell Biv DeVoe's "Poison" falls between Brown's "On Our Own" and Johnny Gill's "Rub You the Right Way." Whi   [ read more ]

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