Rated Next CD

Next is a suave, sexy R&B vocal trio equally at home on the dance-floor or the bedroom, as borne out by their debut recording RATED NEXT. While there's plenty of seductive crooning going on here, R.L., Tweety and T-Low aren't afraid to mix their smooth R&B sound with a little hip-hop, courtesy of their pals in Naughty By Nature, who make a guest appearance on the infectious "Penetration." Though they know how to accelerate the BPM and keep the party moving, it's the intimate, under-the-covers tunes that are the group's specialty. Titles like "Tastes So Good" and "Phone Sex" leave little room for confusion as to the main subject on Next's collective mind.

Producers include: KayGee, Darren Lighty, Lance Alexander, Prof T., Eddie Berkley.

Engineers include: KayGee, Darren Lighty, Ken Johnston, Prof T., Sheldon "So" Goode.

Engineers include: KayGee, Darren Lighty, Ken Johnston.

Personnel: Next (background vocals); Coffey Brown (vocals, background vocals); Duganz Shaloni (rap vocals); Kevin Pierce, Mike Campbell (guitar); Lamar Kronick (vocoder); Vernell Sales, Prof. T. (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Kay Gee; Kieran Walsh; Mike T.; Angela Piva.

Recording information: Da Mill, NJ; Electric Lady Studios, New York, NY; Flynt Tyme Studios, Edina, MN; NESYNC Studios, East Orange, NJ; Perfect Pair Studios, East Orange, NJ; The Hit Factory, New York, NY.

Photographer: Michael Benabib.

Next: R.L., Tweety, T-Low (vocals).

Additional personnel: Coffee Brown (vocals); Duganz Shalont (rap vocals); Mike Campbell, Kevin Pierce (guitar); Lamar Kronick (vocoder); Prof T. (background vocals); Naughty By Nature, Adina Howard.

Additional personnel: Coffee Brown (vocals); Duganz Shalont (rap); Mike Campbell, Kevin Pierce (guitar); Lamar Kronick (vocoder); Next, Prof T. (background vocals); Naughty By Nature, Adina Howard, Castro.

Q (1/01, p.133) - 3 out of 5 stars - "...Routine, loverman pleading on a par with Boyz II Men..."