Manny King John
Once upon a time, there was a genre of music called Rhythm & Blues. Dating back to early decades, R&B music has been and will always be influential in American culture. Simplistic, perhaps vocally-layered, this is the music sung by those singers with big voices. If you’re lucky enough, you would know a few of the most memorable names in R&B such as Aretha Franklin, Al Green and Stevie Wonder. If you are really lucky, you would remember a few of the most memorable groups in R&B such as SWV, Jodeci, and Atlanta’s own Xscape.
As I flashback to “Understanding”; a song about consistent communication within a romantic relationship, I can’t help but to ask: Where the hell did R&B go? Visuals for the 1993 R&B single were black and white and vocally transparent. Choreography was minimal, and to be honest there wasn’t very much dancing at all. Finally one last caveat, Xscape members Latocha Scott, Tamika Scott, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, Kiesha Miles, and songwriter-singer Kandi Buruss, all had strong voices, which enabled them all to be lead singers. I don’t know but I think I need to get a better “Understanding” on where R&B has went, and how to get it back.
For more Xscape, just click here.
