Boyz II Men Evolution CD

Boyz II Men: Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Michael McCary, Shawn Stockman (vocals).
Additional personnel: Keith Crouch (various instruments); Babyface (guitar, sitar, keyboards, bass, programming); Michael Thompson, Reggie Griffin, John "Jubu" Smith, Sonny Lallerstedt (guitar); Greg Phillinganes, John Carroza (piano); Jamar Jones (Hammond B-3 organ); Nathan East, Jackie Street (bass); Scott Meder (drums); Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Randy Walker (programming).
Producers include: Boyz II Men, Shawn Stockman, Babyface, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Keith Crouch.
Engineers include: Jim "Jiff" Hinger, Manny Marroquinm, Paul Boutin.
Recorded at Stonecreek Studios, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania; Brandon's Way Recording, The Record Plant, and Studio 56 (B-Funk Lab), Los Angeles, California; Flyte Tyme Studios, Edina, Minnesota.
EVOLUTION was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
EVOLUCION contains Spanish language versions of Boyz II Men songs.
Boyz II Men: Shawn Stockman (vocals, various instruments); Nathan Morris, Michael McCary, Wanya Morris (vocals).
Additional personnel: Babyface (guitar, keyboards, bass, programming); Reggie Griffin, Michael Thompson (guitar); Greg Phillinganes (piano); Nathan East (bass); Randy Walker (programming).
Producers: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Babyface, Boyz II Men, Shawn Stockman.
Engineers include: Steve Hodge, Jim Hinger, Brad Gilderman.
Personnel: Babyface (guitar, sitar, keyboards, keyboard programming, drum programming); Sonny Lallerstedt, John Smith, Michael Thompson, Reggie Griffin (guitar); Greg Phillinganes, John Carrozza (piano); Scott Meeder (drums); Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Randy Walker (programming).
Audio Mixers: Dave Dillbeck; Aaron Lepley; Jim Hinger; Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander ; Booker T. Jones III; HG Hollans; Jon Gass; Ronnie Brookshire; Shawn Stockman; Steve Hodge; John Saylor.
Recording information: 16th Avenue Sound, Nashville, TN; Brandon's Way Recording, L.A., CA; Chicago Recording Company, Chicago, IL; Flyte Time Studios, Edina, MN; OceanWay Recording, Hollywood, CA; REcord Plant, L.A., CA; Sound On Sound, NY, NY; Stonecreek Studios, Gladwyne, PA; Studio 56, L.A., CA.
Photographers: George Holz; Aaron Rapoport; Riesig & Taylor.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Michael McCary; Nathan Morris; Wanya Morris.
Arrangers: Jimmy Jam; Babyface; Terry Lewis.
Evolution is supposed to capture Boyz II Men in full maturity, but it sounds surprisingly similar to their blockbuster II. Like that album, Evolution relies on ballads, downplaying the group's dance-pop side. There are still several up-tempo numbers on the record, but it's clear that the group and their producers were more concerned with smooth ballads like "4 Seasons of Loneliness" and "A Song for Mama," which they deliver with typical grace. However, Boyz II Men's signature sound is beginning to sound like a formula, especially since the group fails to offer any new twists on their trademark hip-hop doo wop. There's enough strong material on Evolution to satisfy Boyz II Men's large fan base, but they will truly need to evolve on their fourth album in order to stay viable. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
EVOLUTION proves to be a rather prophetic title for this release from the famed R&B quartet. The album finds Boyz II Men growing musically and emotionally, and all the songs here demonstrate the added depth that is the result of the group's artistic maturation. One thing that hasn't changed is the silky-smooth harmonies that are the band's trademark. Their elegantly intertwining voices lead you gently through ballads about both good times and bad. The production is state-of-the-art as usual, underlining the strength of the material. EVOLUTION finds the boys strutting their stuff as full-grown men.Vibe (11/97, p.144) - "...Boyz II Men have withstood personal tragedy, music industry ineptitude, and the dumbed-down...regression of contemporary black music....With grace and skill, the Boyz in the band have indeed morphed into Men, and they have the songs to prove it..."