Jodeci Album: “Diary of a Mad Band”

I brought this album when it first came out and i still play it alot to this day ! .. This is their best album out of the the three .. Songwriting is incrediable, production is mad tight.. This album also introduced two unknows to the world

Missy Elliott and Tim Mosley AKA Timbaland.. Timbaland and Missy cowrote and coproduced tracks on this album.. The rest is history concerning Missy and Timbaland.. Devante Swing is actually the one that started the sound that Timbaland has perfected .. Just put this on and let it play.. it will take you away from My Heart Belongs to You to Feenin to Alone.. The whole album is tight if you missed out on it the first time dont miss out on it this time .. For the Jodeci fans get ready for the reunion comin later in 2000!

"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

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

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.

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 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