Diary Of A Mad Band was released on December 21, 1993 by Uptown/MCA Records. After achieving triple platinum status with their first release, Forever My Lady, Jodeci announced their return in resounding fashion with their sophomore album. Continuing their trademark sound centered on soulful balladry, Jodeci landed legions of adoring fans from both sexes alike for their real life lyrics and incredible musicianship contained inside of each song.
This album would see the group expanding their sound on the second half of the album by experimenting more with Hip Hop music infused with traditional R&B. The writing and production talents of Devante Swing were on full display once again with contributions from Mr. Dalvin, Timbaland and Missy Elliot. K-Ci’s vocal prowess was reminiscent of early 1970s soul singers such as Bobby Womack and his brother Jojo’s upper register delivered indelible notes that gave a distinguishable feel to each song, which set them aside from their contemporaries.
Jodeci consisted of the perfect amalgamation between the production and songwriting talents of the DeGrate brothers, Donald “Devante Swing” DeGrate and Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” DeGrate and the incomparable vocals of the Hailey Brothers, Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey and Joel “JoJo” Hailey. This album would propel the brothers into a new realm of superstardom and cement their legacy as one of the best R&B groups of not only the 1990s, but in the history of the genre.
The DeGrate and Hailey brothers came from families steeped in the gospel music tradition for years. Both sets of brothers traveled extensively on the gospel music circuit and were well accomplished performers and musicians.
The DeGrate brothers served as pianist and drummer for their father, Rev. Donald Degrate’s gospel group, The DeGrate Delegation. The Hailey Brothers were performers in their father’s gospel group, Little Cedric and The Hailey Singers. The pair of brothers met in the late 1980s and formed the group Jodeci in 1990. They eventually received their big break in the fall of the same year. Their debut album
Forever My Lady only foreshadowed what was to come from the group.
Between January 1993- August 1993
Diary Of A Mad Band was recorded in the Hit Factory Studios in Manhattan, New York.
SoulCulture recently sat down with Prince Charles Alexander, the audio engineer, mixer and studio musician for the album to give some insight on how the album became a success.
"... Mr Cole, you have arrived." Although this statement was made quite prematurely on his "Gladiators" collaborative effort with B.o.B in 2009, indeed now is the time for the North Carolina young gun to take his place on centre court. J. Cole - the self-christened Simba of Hip Hop - begins his first official steps to becoming a future king in the Hip Hop jungle.
From being a name touted in the underground to cutting his teeth on numerous mixtapes and collaborations, "light skinned Jermaine" now finds himself under the tutorship of the Michael Jordan of rap, JAY Z, who has already given Cole more than the co-sign which many would yearn for. Whilst the NBA lockout currently looks set to continue, it's game time for the 26 year old rookie as his first studio album Cole World: The Sideline Story plays out to a global audience. The question now remains as to whether Cole thrives under the spotlight or melts due to the pressure.