Customer Reviews

Diary of a Mad Band

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Quite possibly the BEST R&B album that ever came out in the 90s. Jodeci were the architects and prototypes of a genre of R&B that eventually mutated into the misguided raunchiness, juvenile bravado and posturing that sadly plagues the airwaves and culture today. It's not their fault that record companies tried to cash in and carbon copy our boys with a wave of one hit wonders and wannabees (many who didn't write their own material or let alone had the ability to sing). Luckily there's a multi-disc CD player in just about every automobile to switch off the radio, so that you can listen to "Alone", "Feenin'", "What About Us" and every other cut on the album. If you don't have Forever My Lady and Diary of a Mad Band - Your CD collection is not complete! Would it be fair to compare Jodeci to the Beatles? Yes, cos' these two albums are true classics and people will be rediscovering them for years to come.

...subtitled "Diary of a Mad Customer Reviewer".

I whole heartedly agree with all the reviewers below. I too still play the heck outta this. Ya'll know I'm a big voco(r)der fan and Devante Swing uses it frequently in his Jodeci productions; and it is also good to hear K-Ci and Jo Jo in their early years burning up the vocal tracks. Here's a little more trivia about the Swing/Missy/Timbaland connection. Devante produced a single by a 'round the way girl group called Sista which featured a young, young Missy Elliott. Now, that IS rare....

Anyway, with the exception of a few of the tracks near the end, this is one of the best CDs of the 90s...everything comes together perfectly and it would be interesting to see a Jodeci reunion of sorts since K-Ci and Jo Jo are still jamming.

Meanwhile, til that happens, we will be feenin' for that unique sound they had.

Well, I won't per se. I still have my copy of "Dairy..."

"Diary Of A Mad Band" is my favorite album by Jodeci. K-ci's voice is sexy and soulful and he be "sangin" his lil butt off! There aren't many groups that compare to Jodeci (maybe Dru Hill). I really miss them and keep hoping for a new album. Until then I will be groovin to this one. Songs like "Feenin", "Gimme all U got" and "Cry for you" are beautiful, but this is a CD you can play all the way through. They don't make music like this any more, and it's a damn shame! I've been a fan since 1992, when I was only 13. I love you K-ci, Dalvin, Jo-Jo and DeVante!!

Jodeci was the complete opposite of Boyz ll Men even if they both came out at the same time in the early 90's of New Jack Swing. While both bands from time to time did some uptempo it were their slow jams that captured people's interest. The thing that differed them most was that Jodeci was indeed a mad band with self confident attitude and recorded several sexually graphic songs while Boyz ll Men were the nice guys of R&B that mosly sang about love and relationships without getting too much into detail. The band was formed by two pair of brothers, Kci & Jojo Hailey and Dalvin & Donald "Devante Swing" DeGrate. The band would sign with Uptown where Diddy was working and he helped shape their sound and style. The plan was to create a new "Guy" and it's obvious that they're like most other bands at the time were influenced by Teddy Riley's trio. shortly after it was time for their debut album Forever My Lady and it was surprisingly successful with several big single hits like the title track, "Stay" and especially "Come Talk To Me" that reached #11 position. Another interesting thing about that album was that DeVante Swing both wrote and produced the music, quite fascinating if you look at how little impact musicians have today when top producer/songwriters are doing all of the job. Thier sophmore effort "Diary of a Mad Band" is slightly better then their debut and while it continues a simular path to their debut it's after that DeVante created "Swing Mob" a collective of artists where Timbaland, Ginuwine and Missy Elliott (that also appears here on "Sweaty") would all become successful artists on their own, thanks to Swing that launched their careers. On this album there were also a few big hits, but unfortunately it doeesn't feature their #4 cover version of Stevie Wonder's "Lately" that was released for MTV unplugged and became their all time biggest hit in 1993, just before this album saw daylight. However, it got songs like "Cry For You" which is one of the most romantic slow jams I ever heard where all the toghness is suddenly substituted for tenderness. "Feenin" continue with great romanticism and so does their other hit "What About Us" or "What About Us", all wonderful songs where Jodeci are at their best. The rest of the songs are mostly either uptempos or sexual songs which is a good mix of sensual emotions and rough street credability (something that Boyz ll Men never had). "Ride & Slide" and "Alone" are examples of when it works just fine while "You Got It" and the Missy collaboration "Sweaty" are just corny and un-neccesary (just like the editorial reviewer said). However, most songs are good and the few that are really good like "Cry For You" make uo for the few missteps on here. "Diary of a Mad Band" is their all time best album, but "Forever My Lady" is worth picking up aswell. Thier last album would be The Show, The After Party, The Hotel which was decent, after that a long hiatus followed and so far there haven't been any new albums since 1995 but as you'll know Kci and Jojo released albums together and had a big hit with "All My Life" in 1997, DeVante went on becoming a record producer but his former Protegé Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley (that even helped him produce some songs here) would later outshine him. However, if you want to relife some memories from the early 90's, check out this one which is one of the brightest R&B albums from that time.

I recently rediscovered "Diary of a Mad Band," my favorite of Jodeci's three releases. This CD is from the early 90's when hip hop production was just starting to be used by R&B groups. The members of Jodeci had their roots in church, yet they seemed a little dangerous with their bare chests, tattoos and boots. Their music often clashed with their rough appearance. On the intro to 'Cry for You' you hear Devante admitting to feeling worthless without his lady right before K.C. starts pleading for his woman to come back home because "It's been an hour since you've been gone." That mood continues on the next track, 'Feenin,' as Devante tell his woman that all the chronic in the world is no comparison to her because she's the ultimate high. Wow. It's thug love. LOL

Ladies love Jodeci because, like D'Angelo, they meld machismo swagger with tender emotional, sometimes tender, lyrics. They do get kind of raunchy on "Alone," but it's alright with me. These were the soul men for the new generation who could appreciate a Luther Vandross, but yearned for their contemporaries. This CD is back in heavy rotation at my house because there is nothing comparable on the radio. Now that brothers K.C. and Jo Jo have established a successful act together, I wonder if the group will ever reunite. That sure would be nice.

"Forever My Lady" introduced the world to those "sangin" boys from North Carolina, but "Diary of a Mad Band" defined who they were. This album is a must have for the true R&B lovers out there!

this jodeci album has my alltime favorite jodeci track feenin'. this album once again shows Devante's genius and K-ci & Jojo untouchable lead vocals. Cry for you, my heart belongs to you, and what about us became classic in my eyes from the moment I first heard them. Being in high school when this album came out was right on time because like jodeci, I too love the ladies. This is a great album that you can let play all the way through.

this album is absolutely GREAT! and is my favourite Jodeci album!! all the tracks are great and if you are looking for somethin' early 90's!? then this is a must have! and to them new fans of R&B, you all need to check out Jodeci and get this!

My Favourite Tracks are "My Heart Belongs To U" "Cry For You" "Feenin'" "What About Us" "Ride & Slide" "Alone" "In The Meanwhile" and "Gimme All You Got". there voices and the beats are like meant for eachother!! and i see not one reason not to purchase this, its definetly a must have!

this has to be one of the best albums in history. Jodeci hit u with some of the most soulful ballads, u will ever hear. They mix it up with some uptempo tunes that are off da hook. One thing I have to do, is give it up to Puffy! He may not be able to rap, but he is one of the greatest producers in history. Like so many other top albums this one has a special dedication to the man that found Jodeci, and Mary j blige, amongst many others.Just waiting for the long antcipated 4rth Jodeci album, with the now fully matured Mr Dalvin as producer. OOOhhhh my god thats one album that will be tight

Like Jodeci's first album, Forever My Lady, Diary of a Mad Band starts off wonderfully. My Heart Belongs to You, Cry For You, and Feenin are incredible songs just as Stay, Come and Talk to Me, and Forever My Lady were on the first album. These songs are obvious masterpieces. But after the first couple songs, the CD disappoints. Jodeci turns away from what made those songs great and once again sing about bumpin and grinding rather than making love. Their vocal talents are still immeasureable but the approach they take in the later songs on the CD are faulty. Try to find this CD used.