In Their Own Words

Nate Morris: "For Evolution, Puffy sent us a slew of tracks. We took one, 'To the Limit,' to a higher, sensual place. We talk about loving our lady so much you'll tenderly wash her hair. To us, that's a different kind of sensuality. The hottest sensuality is the most tender, the most loving. The songs should make you melt, not freak. Even sexual love is about respecting the beauty of a woman's soul."

Shawn Stockman: "Some see us as beggars for love, always on our hands and knees. But 'Doin' Just Fine' asserts our independance and says, yes, we can make it on our own."

Wanya Morris: "'A Song for Mama' is a gem we got from Babyface. It touches each member of the group on a personal level. The first respect we learned was respect for motherhood. That's the respect that bonds us. And the respect we show each other is what keeps us united and strong."

Mike McCary: "'Evolution' is about slowing down our lives. We're not as hasty. More careful."

Shawn: "We're always looking to dig deeper into ourselves, looking for songs that pierce the heart and explain the mysteries of love."

Mike: "They used to call us squares, 'cause we never got high, never got into trouble. In high school we were all about singing, classical, jazz-you name it. Now they're calling us rebels, because we're going against the tide of carrying guns and hardcore attitudes. Truth is, we never changed. Just got deeper into our music."

Wanya: "If Evolution feels more rooted, it's because we built our own studio in the country just outside Philly."

Nate: "Thank God for the serenity of our studio/ It made all the difference."

Mike: "Picture the grime and snarl of Philly traffic, then imagine, after driving under a bridge, arriving at a spot where nature comes alive. Trees and birds, a creek with cool, fast-running clear spring water. A little piece of paradise. A place where we can settle in and allow the brotherhood of the group to flower."

Wanya: "We call it Stonecreek and it's where much of this music was nourished and grown."

Mike: "We have a basketball court and a weight room and our individual spaces to create. When we come together, we come from a place of peacefulness."

Wanya: "We took a year-and-a-half to settle in. We bought houses around Philly and reconnected with what's real in our lives-our values, our families, our sense of belonging, our gratitude for our gifts."

Shawn: "The future is all about seeking a spiritual love. That love can come from your own significant other, from your family-even your fans. But the source of the love comes from a higher power. That's why Evolution concludes with 'Dear God.'"

Nate: "God is so deeply imbedded in all of us that we understand He is the one who takes us from point A to point B. We're His vehicles."

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