It would be something he would eventually carry over to New Edition and his own music as the group progressed. On “Is It The End,” he really channels that heart-wrenching feeling of dealing with a breakup with his harrowing vocals on the chorus, even at such a young age that’s almost cathartic. If there’s one skill that Ralph Tresvant has perfected over the years, it’s his ability to convey deep emotions in his music whether he is singing about love or heartbreak. brethren, it’s certainly a standout that will strike a nerve.
While “Come Back” may not have been as iconic as other songs from his N.E. Bell smoothly reminisces over an ex and attempts to get her back. The song and the video set the mood for moments more special than Netflix and Chill.įor the uninitiated or the casual New Edition fan, this one is a song you might be sleeping on as many may have not been aware that Ricky Bell, one of the more underrated members of the crew, made his Ricardo Compana album in 2000. Don’t sleep on the sensational visuals behind “Rock Wit’cha” either, as it fully captures The King of R&B’s magnetic charisma and sex appeal as he awaits a young “tenderoni” (we’ll get to that one later) for a night of passion. It’s one that was likely responsible for children born in ’88 and ’89. A sensitive type, exactly like Ralph in every way that he masterfully translates into not only the lead single, but the entire album.įrom his breakout sophomore album, Don’t Be Cruel, Bobby Brown gives us one of his finest love making anthems with “Rock Wit’cha,” where he gets quite sensual and steamy for one of his most passionate performances in his catalog. He kicks it off with the New Jack Swing hit, “Sensitivity,” a song where he convinces women everywhere that they need a man who not only loves and honors them, but is also kind and understanding. On his self-titled debut album, Ralph proves he’s not the only one who can carry a solo project by himself. The reinvigorated New Edition sings so powerfully that whoever can’t feel this classic in their soul doesn’t seem to have one. The newcomer Johnny Gill sets the tone with his dominating and smooth baritone singing while having perfect chemistry with lead singer Ralph Tresvant and Ricky Bell’s vocals. Not only did it help their 1988 classic, Heartbreak, become double-platinum, but it aided them in their evolution into a much more mature sounding group in the midst of the departure and ascension of on again/off again member Bobby Brown.
New Edition: “Can You Stand The Rain” (1988)Īs arguably one of the most powerful love ballads in R&B history, “Can You Stand The Rain” is one of their most important songs in their history.
Although each of them stand out in their own ways, it could be argued than the majority of R&B singers and groups after a certain time period carries the majority of their significant traits, including their dynamic performance styles, precision, having more than one capable lead singer, and most importantly, their unique ability to create some of the most passionate, emotional, sexiest, deepest and most meaningful love songs.Ĭaleb McLaughlin On Winning Over New Edition's Ricky Bell has inspired an entire generation of the greatest and most popular bands and singers who came after them including Boyz II Men, New Kids On the Block, N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, Usher and countless others. They have produced one of the most successful, prolific and infamous R&B stars of all time in Bobby Brown, the groundbreaking R&B and hip-hop producer/CEO that is Michael Bivins, one of the most selfless and underrated solo vocalists in Ralph Tresvant, an unsung lead vocalist in Ricky Bell, a top-five-dead-or-alive R&B legend and the most consistent member in Johnny Gill, and perhaps one of the most important members who held the group together in Ronnie Devoe. When one takes a moment to reflect and analyze the group, you have to put this into perspective. How 'The New Edition Story' Made A Band Of Brothers (Digital Cover Story)įor over 30 years, New Edition has been dropping hit after hit, even when they were divided, and has grown to become one of the greatest and most influential R&B groups of all time next to The Jackson 5.