- Audio CD (20 Mar 1999)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Universal / Island
- ASIN: B000026E4G
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 44,434 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. My Heart Belongs To U |
| 2. Cry For You |
| 3. Feenin' |
| 4. What About Us |
| 5. Ride & Slide |
| 6. Alone |
| 7. Lately |
| 8. You Got It |
| 9. Won't Waste You |
| 10. In The Meanwhile |
| 11. Gimme All You Got |
| 12. Sweaty |
| 13. Let's Go Through The Motions |
| 14. Jodecidal Hotline |
| 15. Success |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Much of the thrill of soul balladry is hearing a singer, especially a male singer, overcome the cultural emphasis on toughness and self-sufficiency and confess the most vulnerable of desires. In this hip-hop era of exaggerated toughness, there are greater obstacles to overcome and thus the potential for even more thrilling revelations. DeVante Swing, the mastermind behind the male vocal quartet Jodeci, seizes that potential more than once on the group's new album, Diary of a Mad Band. The group shares the vocal responsibilities but the credits on nine of the album's 13 tracks read, "Music and Lyrics by DeVante Swing; Vocal arrangement: DeVante Swing; DeVante Swing: All Instruments". Thus the challenge of juggling romantic vulnerability with street credibility comes down on DeVante's 23-year-old shoulders. He fumbles the ball on a few occasions--the dumb, juvenile demands for sex on "You Got It" and "Sweaty"--but more often than not he comes through with soul ballads in the classic mode, revealing the tender heart beneath the thickened skin. The first single, "Cry for You", hearkens back to the slow hymns of Jodeci's church backgrounds; the singers promise, "I would get on my knees for you" and the dizzying free fall of the melody underscores the total surrender of the lyrics. The next single, "Feenin'", is a similar confession but it's juiced up with tape-reverse percussion sounds, a Zapp-like vocorder riff and a gruff lead set against angelic harmonies. Even "Ride & Slide" and "Alone", rather frank sexual propositions, have the good grace to plead rather than demand; they even promise detailed attention to female erogenous zones. At its best, Jodeci is the most promising soul harmony group of the hip-hop generation. --Geoffrey Himes
Review
While they never hit the same commercial heights in the UK as achieved in the US, Jodeci were a blink-of-an-eye ensemble whose longer-term significance far outlasted their mid-90s prime.
Comprised of two sets of brothers – Donald ‘DeVante Swing’ and ‘Mr’ Dalvin DeGrate alongside Cedric ‘K-Ci’ and Joel ‘Jo-Jo’ Hailey – they set something of a template for the boybands that followed. Signed to Andre Harrell's Uptown Records after being heard by rapper Heavy D, Sean 'Puffy' Combs masterminded their early career, while future stars Missy Elliott, Timbaland and Ginuwine cut their teeth on Jodeci albums.
Their debut, 1991’s Forever My Love, was a runaway success, but it was nearly three years before the follow up, Diary of a Mad Band, was released in December of 1993. The band’s second, most-celebrated album stands as a snapshot of the R&B/hip hop interface in the mid 90s: slick, soulful, and assured.
It furthered the achievements of Forever My Love with its blend of sugar-sweet love songs (the stunning Cry for You and My Heart Belongs to U) and bad boy joints (Ride and Slide, the atonal grind of Sweaty). Feenin' steals the show, demonstrating their way with the rarely heard romantic side of hip hop – delivered in street language though it is, credible rhymes are married with a well-written soul pastiche: “All the chronic in the world couldn't even mess with you / You are the ultimate high / You know what I’m saying, baby?”
There was one further album – 1995’s The Show, The After Party, The Hotel – but that was it for Jodeci, and the four remain on hiatus after a failed attempt at a comeback. After their 90s successes, K-Ci and Jo-Jo went on to have a string of hits as a duo, while Dalvin and Devante moved into production. But nothing achieved by individual members has yet outshone their 1993 classic.
Diary of a Mad Band is their definitive album. It captures a moment in time perfectly and, unlike a lot of US R&B from the era, still sounds surprisingly fresh today. --Daryl Easlea
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I totally agree with the previous review. I am in love with this album. On new years day I got this album out and trust me i felt like i was gonna cry. The lyrics were so sweet and they touched me. It took me back in the day. They are coming to Birmingham on February 15th for a renunion. I will be there- ready and waiting. When I was a teenager I went to see them twice and I was hooked. This album is sensuous and lyrically bliss. If you are a fan of great music then this should be in your collection. Dont miss out and do the right thing, get it now people!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Jodeci quite simply are the greatest rnb group to have ever graced our ears.. and the 2nd effort in thier studio albums produced a classic. 'diary of' ooozes sex appeal.. every track hits you for six wether it be the the funkdelic 'gimme all you got' or the luscious 'feenin' the album would not look out of place in anybodys top 10 albums of all time. as fresh now as it was back in '93 when it 1st hit the streets. k-ci, jo-jo, devante and dalvin all came back a little more grown up.. a little wiser.. from thier debut 'forever my lady'.. and so it showed in the whole crispness and production of the album. a must for any r'n'b fan... that said.. any r'n'b fan who IS a fan of 'proper' r'n'b should already probably own this.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
All I can say is that this album was made for one thing.
To FREAK to.
Its one of my all time favourite albums and I can just bump this all day long. Out of their records this is probably the best.
Of course you've got some real good party thumping tracks. Everybody's favourite Feenin'.
One of the best groups of the 90's and best RNB bands of all time. They are the essence of the funky fun sound from those days and the tunes always take you back. Way back.
Was gutted when they came to Manchester and I missed them cos of work!
To FREAK to.
Its one of my all time favourite albums and I can just bump this all day long. Out of their records this is probably the best.
Of course you've got some real good party thumping tracks. Everybody's favourite Feenin'.
One of the best groups of the 90's and best RNB bands of all time. They are the essence of the funky fun sound from those days and the tunes always take you back. Way back.
Was gutted when they came to Manchester and I missed them cos of work!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
This album puts you in the mood for love
If this is your first time and your not a jodeci lover (like me ) this is a good place to start. This album will not disapoint. Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2009 by Rachel Smith
ooooh jodeci take me!!!
jodeci defiently deserve to be known as one of the best boy bands of all time! with this their platinum selling album, who on earth could argue?? Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2000
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