#495 of 500
· Rolling Stone
“The back half of the RS500 is where the interesting debates live. Boyz II Men's II (1991) is soul/r&b that transcends its genre tag. The original pressing is the one to find — the kind of record that stops you mid-flip at the store.”
Boyz II Men emerged from Philadelphia in the early 1990s as one of the most successful R&B groups of the decade. The group—Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and original member Michael McCary—rose to prominence with their 1991 debut album 'Cooleyhighharmony,' which blended new jack swing with smooth harmonies and became a multi-platinum success. Their second album 'II' (1994) became one of the best-selling albums of the 1990s, anchored by the massive hit ballad 'End of the Road' and showcasing their evolution toward sophisticated, harmony-driven R&B. The group continued their commercial dominance through the late 1990s with albums like 'Evolution' (1997) and 'Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya' (1998), establishing themselves as pioneers of modern R&B and influencing countless vocal groups that followed.
Style
Boyz II Men are known for their silky smooth vocal harmonies, sophisticated arrangements blending R&B, soul, and pop sensibilities, and emotional ballads that became their signature sound. Their music evolved from new jack swing influences to more polished, contemporary R&B with prominent string arrangements and intricate layered vocals.
Significance
As one of the best-selling R&B groups of all time, Boyz II Men's albums are essential additions to vinyl collections representing 1990s R&B. Their records, particularly 'II' and 'Cooleyhighharmony,' showcase excellent production quality that translates beautifully to analog format and remain highly sought after by collectors.
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