by Lauren Bailey
Following in the footsteps of R&B crooners Boys 2 Men
and Jodeci, In Essence slides onto the R&B scene with
their debut album, The Master Plan. The five-member group
came together ten years ago and recently shot to success
after attending a New York City music conference where legendary
DJ Funkmaster Flex was slotted to appear.
The
group decided to take matters in their own hands at the
conference and boldly set up a stereo, pumping the group’s
music, directly in front of Flex’s venue. It wasn’t
long before Touch, Que, Dru, Smooth and Pops had the whole
crowd shaking a tail feather. By the end of their New York
trip, the Toronto-based group had Flex’s attention,
as well as a management deal with the renowned DJ. Flex
added the group’s ‘You Will Never Find’
to his Funkmaster Flex’s Mix Tape Vol. 4. The song
became an instant hit and proved to be the group’s
entry into the elusive U.S. market.
Fresh
off their label, BMG Canada, The Master Plan showcases 10
songs, including I.E, Friend of Mine and Closer. All three
songs enjoy heavy rotation on urban radio stations across
the U.S. and Canada. In addition, the album features six
interludes where each member tells a story, which unfortunately
are vapid. By the time you get to Smooth’s story,
third on the CD, you begin to yearn for the more creative
styles of entertainers like Mary J. Blige. The undisputed
Queen of R&B and Soul is famous for using interludes
to throw in a wild rap by an artist with mad skills. Although
all members have a great voice individually, together their
harmonies are weak. However, like true R&B artists,
In Essence drops well-pressed rhythms that hail from the
band’s Jamaican roots, along with Latin, rock and
tribal-based tempos that surprise their listeners into unexpected
enjoyment.
In
Essence is in Toronto to play with fellow R&B heartthrob
Shawn Desman and talented newcomer Keshia Chanté
at the Kool Haus on Saturday, September 27th.
Track
listing:
1.
Touch Interlude
2.
Who Are We
3.
You Will Never Find
4.
S.T. Interlude
5.
I.E.
6.
Friend of Mine
7.
MelodI.E.
8.
Smooth Interlude
9.
Do Whatcha Like
10.
Closer
11.
Pops Interlude
12.
Change
13.
Dru Interlude
14.
Go Ahead
15.
Lay You Down
16.
Que Interlude |
