Customer Reviews

It's Goin Down

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

When 'It's Goin' Down' first dropped at the end of 1993 (along with Jodeci's 'Diary Of A Mad Band'), I was a bit worried. I mean, I saw (and bought) the "Who's The Mack" single but noticed that it wasn't getting any airplay. What bothered me even more was that there was no advance warning or buzz about the single. It was just there all of a sudden. I knew from then that things were not going to be good for 'It's Goin' Down.' And commercially, they weren't.

Now exactly 10 years later, I have a newfound appreciation for this album. I'm 26 years old now, and I can appreciate what it must feel like to want to express yourself...to be your true self. Prior to this album, Ralph Tresvant was the gentle, baby-voiced lead singer of New Edition, and then he became the smooth loverman thanks to "Sensitivity." This time around, his persona was a little more dynamic and edgy. But if there's one thing that is communicated on this album, it's honesty. And in my opinion, that's a beautiful thing.

I really didn't like the album when I bought it, as hard as I tried to. But all the Jam & Lewis cuts ("When I Need Somebody," "Who's The Mack," and "...-O") grabbed me the first time. Especially "When I Need Somebody," which was rightfully the 2nd single. The problem was by the spring of 1994, it was ALL about R. Kelly with "Bump'N'Grind," along with Jodeci's "Feenin," Blackstreet's "Before I Let You Go," and Death Row's 'Above The Rim' soundtrack. There was simply no room for Mr. Tresvant as a solo artist in this cluttered, gangsta-fied/more soulful R&B-oriented landscape (case in point, it wasn't until things lightened up in 1997 that the more "pop-oriented" Usher was finally able to break through after his 1994 debut was (for the most part) overlooked...so timing could have played a larger role in this album's lack of success than most critics seem to allow).

The other songs I loved the first time around were "Graveyard," "The Booty Affair", "...-Spot," (actually my fave) and "Love At First Sight" (let's just say I was taking notes). Listening to the album now, I like the whole thing. It's because Ralph decided to believe in himself, and make this project happen. I mean, he wrote, produced and arranged 10 of the 13 tracks featured. And some of the finest tracks "...-Spot," "Booty Affair," and "Graveyard" were ALL him. How many R&B stars (besides R. Kelly, of course) can say that?

If you're looking for objectivity in this review, unfortunately you're not going to find it here. Like Marques Houston after him, Ralph Tresvant is more of a "legacy" artist, in that he enjoys a passionate group of fans that have grown with him over the many years he has been in the business. If you're a music lover really looking to get an insight into the mind of Ralph Tresvant circa 1993-1994, then this is the album to get. And out of all the work to ever emerge from the New Edition camp, I don't think any of them come as close to reflecting the true spirit of its performer than this one. Well done Ralph.

Njs4ever (New Jack Swing 4Ever)

First...Ralph became the most respectable "true" member of NE.

With that said, "Its Goin' Down" is a solid piece of early-mid 90's R&B. RT writes, and produces most of what makes up the albums best parts. His words are nothing special, but when you hear it, you'll know its from his heart & soul.

"Its goin' Down" is much harder than "Ralph Tresvant" his first album...so if you enjoy RT's sound/delivery, you'll love this one. "Its Goin' Down" also has a West Coast feel to the production. Which most of the album was recorded in SF/Bay area. Check out "Rizzo the Mack" on his 2nd and last solo effort;)

Ralph took up most of the work as far as productiona and writing on this lp. Gotta respect that, would have preferred more songs written and produced by established producers and writers but gotta give Ralph respect for coming out the way he did after all the critical acclaim of his debut. A true leader. Now Who's the Mack!

THIS IS A VERY APPEALING CD RALPH T. YOU GET TO HEAR HIS REAL SOUND BECAUSE HE EITHER WRITES OR CO - WRITES ALKL BUT THEREE SONGS . ALL THE SONGS ARE WINNERS . THIS IS A MUST HAVE IF YOU ARE TRUE R&B FAN . ALSO GET THESE CD'S IN THE SAME GENRE : SILK -" LOVE SESSIONS", ANN NESBY - "PUT IT ON PAPER",REGINA BELLE - "THIS IS REGINA",TEVIN CAMPBELL-"TEVIN CAMPBELL",ANGELA BOFILL - "LOVE IN SLOW MOTION", AND KARYN WHITE -"MAKE HIM DO RIGHT".

This album was very well put together by Ralph,and Jam/Lewis. It lacked that one song to put it over the top. Ralph is very talented, and should make more solo projects.

Ralph Tresvant's second cd, "It's Goin' Down" is as good as his debut cd. The only difference is that he wrote and produced 10 out of the 13 songs. The three that he didn't write were done by the great award-winning team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. These ones were "Who's the Mack," "When I Need Somebody," and "...-O." Besides these smooth tracks, Ralph wrote plenty of cool songs like the opening track "Graveyard." This showcases his ghetto swing with smooth rhythm and blues flavor. He raps in this one, in "It's Goin' Down," and "The Booty Affair." My favorites are "When I Need Somebody," "My Aphrodisiac," "Shaky Ground," and the two ballads "Your Touch," and "...-O" although all the songs are worth listening to. As usual, MCA did not promote this cd very well. The radio airplay was almost nonexistent compared to his debut cd. Ralph Tresvant has the great vocal and artistic skills of Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, and Lionel Richie. He deserves to be recognized for his talents and if he could get the promotion that some of the current pop stars get, the world would see what incredible talent truly is. Buy this cd if you want cool music. It has a nice mix of fast, mid-tempo, and slow tracks. You won't regret buying this. Ralph Tresvant rules!ENDs

this is a Good Solid Disc that got Slept on.his First album was more accesible.but this album was better overall.better Produced with real Grit.Kc&Jo-Jo should Listen to this Album cuz this is where they are trying to get at.Ralph Tresvant is Just Like El Debarge alot of Talent but folks only want to Remember the Group days.but this Album Showcases a Brother with ablity to handle Styles.this album wasn't Promoted Right.Who's The Mack was The Cut.

Ralph Tresvant already had the benefit of being the frontman for New Edition, but strangely, it didn't seem to help to propel him into solo stardom the same way.. his first solo LP went platinum, but crossover attention was minimal.. there was even less Urban Airplay by the time this 2nd LP came around.. SOUNDSCAN was inaugurated, which gave albums less chart time, to be sure.. the production is mostly handled by TRESVANT himself, and he is surprisingly able.. abetted on a few cuts by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.. One wonders what could have been achieved with a complete Jam/Lewis project.. But by then, a new generation of R&B stylists, influenced as much by rap as classic soul, came to prominence: Aaron Hall (from the now defunct Guy), Jodeci, Boyz II Men, R. Kelly, and a host of early 90's clones that soon disappeared (Intro, Lo-Key?, UNV, Shai...); hence, the market was quite glutted.. MCA didn't seem to promote this LP too much, as it arrived in stores with little fanfare.. and during Christmastime, to boot.. I'm not sure if he toured, but if he did, it apparently didn't boost sales too much beyond Gold status, where it stalled.. on a more cynical level, could the name "Tresvant" be too left-field for pop audiences and jaded radio programmers to catch on to? Getting a stage name or relying just on "Ralph" would have been silly, though..

The bad thing is, Tresvant has never been known for the misadventures and legal problems of his bandmate Bobby Brown.. but he never achieved the solo fame that Brown had for a brief time in the late 80's..

At least New Edition is planning a reunion album (without Brown) for 2004, co-produced by Sean "P-Diddy" Combs...

Though not successful chart-wise, this album should have been a smash. It includes such songs as Who's The Mack, It's Goin' Down, When I Need Somebody, Graveyard and You'll Remember Me. This album is a definite must-have for any RT fans out there.

I am a fan of Ralph Tresvant and I picked up this cd but I was very disappointed with the content. Hopefully if he comes out with something again, it will be better than his previous products. YMMV! NEOSOUL06