Since their debut six years ago, Boyz II Men - Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, Mike McCary, and Nathan Morris-have matured along with their music, as fans can recognize in their latest Motown Records LP, appropriately titled Evolution.
A testimony to the power of romance, Evolution speaks to the heart and to the healing power of harmony. The first thing you'll notice is how comfortable the group sounds. With all the elements of production in place, every song seems to be a natural extension of Boyz II Men, who crafted the album in the enviroment in which they thrive best.
"If this record feels more rooted, it's because we planted our roots back home," says Wanya Morris. "We built our own studio just outside Philly; we call it Stonecreek. It was where much of this music was nourished and grown. We took a year and half to settle back in. We bought houses around Philly and reconnected with what's real in our lives-our values, our families, our sense of belonging, our graditude for our gifts."
That sense of belonging found it's way onto every song on this album. Produced by Jimmy Jamm & Terry Lewis, Babyface, and Boyz II Men, some great songs include the first single, "4 Seasons of Loneliness;" "Never"-about hope and love; "Girl in the Life Magazine," an old-fashioned, waltz-time motif that tell a poignant story about being in love. "A Song for Mama" found it way into the movie 'Soul Food' and is a tribute to mothers (get out the tissues because this one's a five-tissue tearjerker). There are some hip-hop type songs on the album: "Come On," "Can't Let Her Go," and "To the Limit." But, "Dear God" is probably the most meaningful song to them personally, because these deeply spiritual performers wanted to express graditude to God for their success and to remember the source of their blessings.
"We explored different musical vehicles this time," Nate shares. "We wrote or co-wrote 10 out of the 13 cuts on Evolution and we also worked with producers who gave us a different edge."
"Evolution is about slowing down our lives," Mike goes on to say. "We're not as hasty. We're more careful. When we first started out, we wanted to show the world we could really sing, so there were harmonies everywhere - melodies flipped around five different ways. This time we're sparser and simpler. That comes from confidence and knowing who we are."
This group has evolved through hard work, patience, and determination. Describing themselves as "the natural elements of the world," Shawn explains, "Wanya is the resounding tempest; Nate is the shifting wind, the fluttering breeze; I'm the water, the sea; Mike is the earth, the core, the ground we walk upon." Put those elements together and you have a chemistry that's unbeatable!