On November 13, 2007 the Decca Label Group will be releasing a new Boyz II Men CD that will be a tribute to some of Motown's Classic songs including The Temptations "Just My Imagination", The Miracles "Tracks Of My Tears", The Four Tops "Reach Out I'll Be There" and more all produced by American Idol's Randy Jackson.
Boyz II Men is the most successful R&B male vocal group of all time. They've recorded five #1 R&B hits between 1992 and 1997 and have since sold more than 90 million albums and 50 million singles.
Three of their #1 hits, "End of the Road", "I'll Make Love to You", and "One Sweet Day" (with Mariah Carey), set and broke records for the longest period of time a single remained at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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More from Boyz II Men
 Cooleyhighharmony |  II |  Evolution |
 Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya |  Legacy: Greatest Hits Collection |  Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters |
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
By Michael Kerner "Michael Kerner" (Brooklyn, New York U.S.A.)
When it came to the Motown sound in the 90's, no act had really dominated that vibe like Boyz II Men. They really brought out the most into what true harmonies were like to a younger generation. With albums that thrived like II and Cooleyhighharmony, they just delivered strongly in R&B and music in general. Unfortunately, that seemed to be a longtime ago, with the 2000 decade arised, the group lost a lot of footing with audiences, in favor of acts like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Not only that, the group turned from a foursome to a trio, after the departure of bass vocalist Darius McCray who embattled scoliosis. So for the past few records, it has been nothing but covers for the group, and this second cover album says that point as well.
Boyz II Men's 2007 album Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville U.S.A., is a collection of classic covers of the Motown era that showcase the deep of what the roots our from Motown. This is also the groups Decca label debut. Aftre the covers that the group made out from Throwback on 2004, this album brings out the classic feel of covers that show fairly well on what the group can make as a trio, but not as a definite. Nevertheless, the collection does include classic rendiditions of Motown standards like Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me, and the lesser-known Debarge with All This Love, which beacons in a stronger feel, that Debarge missed out on in the 80's, and a cover of Marvin & Tammi Tarrell's Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing as a duet with Patti LaBelle which fairs well, but doesn't feel like anything spectacular. There also is a solid remake of The Commodores classic Easy, which the trio makes well as their own. The group also makes out a remake of a acapella version of their #1 smash End Of The Road, as a reintroduction to a whole new era, but just doesn't capture their classic from Eddie Murphy's movie Boomerang.
Unlike their Decca Records labelmate Deborah Cox, who made a solid cover album with Destination Moon earlier this year, Boyz II Men's Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville U.S.A., tries to capture their classic sound, but doesn't do enough to strongly bring in a newer era. It is great for die hard Boyz II Men fans who've still stood by Nathan, Shawn and Wanya through the years, but it is not a must buy for music lovers. This Motown sound makes the mark, but just does feel like it is completely signed, sealed and delivered enough to be yours.
Album Cover: B
Songs: C 1/2+
Price: C+
Mastering: B 1/2-
Overall: C+
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
By Derrick Dunn "DJ Aftermarh" (Lakenheath, England)
At one point Boyz II Men were the biggest R&B group in the world but as Hip Hop and Rap took, four part harmony and good old fashioned R&B sadly disappeared from the charts. With their eighth CD and second cover album, the Boyz II easily provides the listener with plenty of ear candy. The CD opens with an amazing cover of The Temptations' "Just My Imagination" where Shawn Stockmen's vocals are easily on par with Eddie Kendrick's classic falsetto. Other notable covers include Debarge's All This Love, The Commodores Easy and one of my personal favorite's Smokey Robinson's & The Miracles' The Tracks Of My Tears. Although impossible at this point to add anything to the likes of "It's the Same Old Song," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," or "Money (That's What I Want)" -- no matter how well they are handled, the Boyz easily get the listener's attention again with acapella covers of Ribbon In The Sky and their classic slow End Of The Road. All in all a great album for the young and the young at heart.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
By Salih C. Alexander (Portsmouth, Virginia)
It's disgusting and disheartening that a great group like Boyz II Men even has to MAKE a tribute album or that their last full-length album was released exclusively online and in Japan.
Worse yet is the seemingly rampant idea that the Boyz should stop recording because they "just don't sound the same" without Bass (Mike McCary).
Unforgivable is the statement by one idiotic reviewer (who, incidentally, can't even spell or use proper grammar) that this sounds like something a "soccer mom" would make and that it was cheesy because of Randy Jackson's involvement.
The fact of the matter is that people went out and made Ja Rule's remake/sampling of Stevie Wonder's "Do I do" (featuring Case-CASE!!!) a multi-platinum hit. No one complained about a classless rapper "tainting" an old song.
No one pointed out that Lauryn Hill's vocals on "Killing me Softly" were, well, SOFT and nowhere NEAR the original version.
I mean, really...PHARRELL comes out and gets FEATURED as a GUEST VOCALIST on rap songs...and people just laugh it off.
J. Lo, Britney Spears, Mya, Ciara...the list goes on and on of artists who are WHOLLY unworthy to even think about sampling great artists.
And let's not even THINK about forgetting good 'ole Mary J. Blige, who jacked a whole album worth of classic soul songs to PUT HERSELF ON THE MAP.
And with that, I begin my short argument.
First of all, Boyz II Men is--hands down--the greatest male vocal group of the past 17 years of R&B. It's not even close. ONE--JUST ONE--of their albums--II--sold more records and won more awards that Jagged Edge's and 112's ENTIRE CATALOGS PUT TOGETHER...
Second, before the Boyz even endeavored to make this and Throwback, they had already come out with FOUR studio albums, a Spanish album, a platinum Christmas album (that remains the best Christmas album of this generation), and a remix album. This doesn't include chart-topping or near hits that did NOT appear on their albums like "End of the Road", "One Sweet Day" with Mariah Carey, and "I Will Get There" (Prince of Egypt).
The Boyz didn't NEED to ESTABLISH themselves with this record. They merely RE-INTRODUCED some hits from Motown WHILE RE-INTRODUCING THEMSELVES.
Who else could sing "War" like the Boyz did here? Who else could do an acappella version of "End of the Road" featuring the incomparable singer (more comparable song-WRITER, lol), Brian McKnight? With whom else would Patti LaBelle perform "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" by Ashford and Simpson?
112? Not together.
Dru Hill? Too many personality issues...not together or on hiatus...
Jagged Edge? PLEASE. They sing WELL together, but there is NO HARMONY.
Who else IS there???
I realize that attrition is not the strongest argument, so how about this one...The album is actually a 4 1/2 star album.
The production is SUPPOSED TO SOUND DATED because the SONGS are from the 60's and 70's.
I'll admit that the only song I wasn't feeling was "Reach Out". The Boyz' voices don't fit that song. I also think that the Ribbon in the Sky acappella version was beautiful, but loses the individuality of the original and may upset some fans.
However...
"War" (what is-a good for, absolutely nothing) may make some newer listeners think about "Rush Hour"...but that song is SOOOOOOOO appropriate for the times.
"Got to be There" was a very beautiful song.
"Ain't nothing like the real thing--very soulful (actually this whole album has a lot more soul than we are used to from the Boyz and THAT IS GOOD.)
"Easy" was just magnificent--it's a tie between that one and "War" for the best song on the album.
"End of the Road"--yes, it's different without Mike, but he was never the centerpiece of the group...the other members sang all of the leads and his presence, while missed, is not fatal.
"All My Love"--wow...just WOW.
No, the album isn't perfect, but neither was "II"--which is considered the group's best.
It's more in line with "Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya", which was considered a very good album.
Pick it up and listen to it all the way through...This album made me think of my childhood (I'm 31) growing up with Mom (RIP) and Dad listening to these classics...what will it remind you of??
4 1/2 stars...Very good album--WAYYYYYYYYY better than any other male vocalists out there.
P.S. Please do not be so spoiled by the relative greatness of Boyz II Men's airtight vocals that you can't appreciate living (and still young--mid-thirties) legends. People do that with Take 6.
John Stephens may call himself a legend, but the Boyz don't have to--Let's stand up and give them the ovation they deserve--as LIVING LEGENDS.
Salih Alexander, Esquire
4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
By Michael Kerner "Michael Kerner" (Brooklyn, New York U.S.A.)
When it came to the Motown sound in the 90's, no act had really dominated that vibe like Boyz II Men. They really brought out the most into what true harmonies were like to a younger generation. With albums that thrived like II and Cooleyhighharmony, they just delivered strongly in R&B and music in general. Unfortunately, that seemed to be a longtime ago, with the 2000 decade arised, the group lost a lot of footing with audiences, in favor of acts like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Not only that, the group turned from a foursome to a trio, after the departure of bass vocalist Darius McCray who embattled scoliosis. So for the past few records, it has been nothing but covers for the group, and this second cover album says that point as well.
Boyz II Men's 2007 album Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville U.S.A., is a collection of classic covers of the Motown era that showcase the deep of what the roots our from Motown. This is also the groups Decca label debut. Aftre the covers that the group made out from Throwback on 2004, this album brings out the classic feel of covers that show fairly well on what the group can make as a trio, but not as a definite. Nevertheless, the collection does include classic rendiditions of Motown standards like Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me, and the lesser-known Debarge with All This Love, which beacons in a stronger feel, that Debarge missed out on in the 80's, and a cover of Marvin & Tammi Tarrell's Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing as a duet with Patti LaBelle which fairs well, but doesn't feel like anything spectacular. There also is a solid remake of The Commodores classic Easy, which the trio makes well as their own. The group also makes out a remake of a acapella version of their #1 smash End Of The Road, as a reintroduction to a whole new era, but just doesn't capture their classic from Eddie Murphy's movie Boomerang.
Unlike their Decca Records labelmate Deborah Cox, who made a solid cover album with Destination Moon earlier this year, Boyz II Men's Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville U.S.A., tries to capture their classic sound, but doesn't do enough to strongly bring in a newer era. It is great for die hard Boyz II Men fans who've still stood by Nathan, Shawn and Wanya through the years, but it is not a must buy for music lovers. This Motown sound makes the mark, but just does feel like it is completely signed, sealed and delivered enough to be yours.
Album Cover: B
Songs: C 1/2+
Price: C+
Mastering: B 1/2-
Overall: C+
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
By Derrick Dunn "DJ Aftermarh" (Lakenheath, England)
At one point Boyz II Men were the biggest R&B group in the world but as Hip Hop and Rap took, four part harmony and good old fashioned R&B sadly disappeared from the charts. With their eighth CD and second cover album, the Boyz II easily provides the listener with plenty of ear candy. The CD opens with an amazing cover of The Temptations' "Just My Imagination" where Shawn Stockmen's vocals are easily on par with Eddie Kendrick's classic falsetto. Other notable covers include Debarge's All This Love, The Commodores Easy and one of my personal favorite's Smokey Robinson's & The Miracles' The Tracks Of My Tears. Although impossible at this point to add anything to the likes of "It's the Same Old Song," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," or "Money (That's What I Want)" -- no matter how well they are handled, the Boyz easily get the listener's attention again with acapella covers of Ribbon In The Sky and their classic slow End Of The Road. All in all a great album for the young and the young at heart.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
By Salih C. Alexander (Portsmouth, Virginia)
It's disgusting and disheartening that a great group like Boyz II Men even has to MAKE a tribute album or that their last full-length album was released exclusively online and in Japan.
Worse yet is the seemingly rampant idea that the Boyz should stop recording because they "just don't sound the same" without Bass (Mike McCary).
Unforgivable is the statement by one idiotic reviewer (who, incidentally, can't even spell or use proper grammar) that this sounds like something a "soccer mom" would make and that it was cheesy because of Randy Jackson's involvement.
The fact of the matter is that people went out and made Ja Rule's remake/sampling of Stevie Wonder's "Do I do" (featuring Case-CASE!!!) a multi-platinum hit. No one complained about a classless rapper "tainting" an old song.
No one pointed out that Lauryn Hill's vocals on "Killing me Softly" were, well, SOFT and nowhere NEAR the original version.
I mean, really...PHARRELL comes out and gets FEATURED as a GUEST VOCALIST on rap songs...and people just laugh it off.
J. Lo, Britney Spears, Mya, Ciara...the list goes on and on of artists who are WHOLLY unworthy to even think about sampling great artists.
And let's not even THINK about forgetting good 'ole Mary J. Blige, who jacked a whole album worth of classic soul songs to PUT HERSELF ON THE MAP.
And with that, I begin my short argument.
First of all, Boyz II Men is--hands down--the greatest male vocal group of the past 17 years of R&B. It's not even close. ONE--JUST ONE--of their albums--II--sold more records and won more awards that Jagged Edge's and 112's ENTIRE CATALOGS PUT TOGETHER...
Second, before the Boyz even endeavored to make this and Throwback, they had already come out with FOUR studio albums, a Spanish album, a platinum Christmas album (that remains the best Christmas album of this generation), and a remix album. This doesn't include chart-topping or near hits that did NOT appear on their albums like "End of the Road", "One Sweet Day" with Mariah Carey, and "I Will Get There" (Prince of Egypt).
The Boyz didn't NEED to ESTABLISH themselves with this record. They merely RE-INTRODUCED some hits from Motown WHILE RE-INTRODUCING THEMSELVES.
Who else could sing "War" like the Boyz did here? Who else could do an acappella version of "End of the Road" featuring the incomparable singer (more comparable song-WRITER, lol), Brian McKnight? With whom else would Patti LaBelle perform "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" by Ashford and Simpson?
112? Not together.
Dru Hill? Too many personality issues...not together or on hiatus...
Jagged Edge? PLEASE. They sing WELL together, but there is NO HARMONY.
Who else IS there???
I realize that attrition is not the strongest argument, so how about this one...The album is actually a 4 1/2 star album.
The production is SUPPOSED TO SOUND DATED because the SONGS are from the 60's and 70's.
I'll admit that the only song I wasn't feeling was "Reach Out". The Boyz' voices don't fit that song. I also think that the Ribbon in the Sky acappella version was beautiful, but loses the individuality of the original and may upset some fans.
However...
"War" (what is-a good for, absolutely nothing) may make some newer listeners think about "Rush Hour"...but that song is SOOOOOOOO appropriate for the times.
"Got to be There" was a very beautiful song.
"Ain't nothing like the real thing--very soulful (actually this whole album has a lot more soul than we are used to from the Boyz and THAT IS GOOD.)
"Easy" was just magnificent--it's a tie between that one and "War" for the best song on the album.
"End of the Road"--yes, it's different without Mike, but he was never the centerpiece of the group...the other members sang all of the leads and his presence, while missed, is not fatal.
"All My Love"--wow...just WOW.
No, the album isn't perfect, but neither was "II"--which is considered the group's best.
It's more in line with "Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya", which was considered a very good album.
Pick it up and listen to it all the way through...This album made me think of my childhood (I'm 31) growing up with Mom (RIP) and Dad listening to these classics...what will it remind you of??
4 1/2 stars...Very good album--WAYYYYYYYYY better than any other male vocalists out there.
P.S. Please do not be so spoiled by the relative greatness of Boyz II Men's airtight vocals that you can't appreciate living (and still young--mid-thirties) legends. People do that with Take 6.
John Stephens may call himself a legend, but the Boyz don't have to--Let's stand up and give them the ovation they deserve--as LIVING LEGENDS.
Salih Alexander, Esquire
Get A Copy Of "Motown A Journey Through Hitsville USA By Boyz II Men"
 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Boyz II Men |  Legacy: Deluxe Edition |  20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Boyz II Men (Eco-Friendly Packaging) |
