On a global mission, Motown's Men whose first name is Boyz, are glad to be back.
The outser of former Motown head, Andre Harrell, hasn't showed the hit juggernaut of the famous label's top recording act, Boyz II Men. With the Harrell controversy quelled, Boyz II Men's new album, Evolution, recently released, has the Motown marketing, promotion, and publicity departments working overtime.
The purpose is to build on the group's already strong U.S. fan base, and expand the clean cut quartet's international following. One top Motown exec recently told trade bible Billboard magazine that the Harrell controversy won't affect the project because, "Our plans were in place long before changes came. The act was 100 percent involved with all aspects of the project, from the act to their management (Los Angeles-based Southpaw), were all on the same team and share a common goal."
Commenting on the Harrell situation, Boyz' Wanya Morris said, "We've been so busy planning this project we haven't had a chance to think much about it."
"Fortunately," adds Shawn Stockman, "we have a strong fan base that should support us. Hopefully it won't affect the promotion, marketing, and sales of the project."
Among the international expansion plans for Evolution's success is a Spanish language version of the CD for Spain and Latin America, an early European tour, and a series of concert dates on the European continent.
Considering Boyz II Men's last album, II, sold three million copies outside of the U.S., the recent European gambit is well worth the trouble. Oh yeah, instead of more "End of the Road" type ballads, Evolution has a more uptempo focus, with an eye for the ears and dollars of a younger audience. "4 Seasons of Loneliness," the album's first single, is excpected to explode on the charts, and draw major Top 40, R&B, rhythm-crossover, and jazz/AC radio play.