Originally published in 2003 on NE20.com (inactive)
Once again, members of New Edition were involved in a major transition. They were one of the first groups ever to incorporate rap into an “traditional” song. Ronnie, Ricky and Mike took the synthesis to a new level and became major architects of New Jack Swing.
The debut album by Bell Biv DeVoe was a hit: it sold 3 million copies in the U.S. by the end of 1990 (it has since been certified quadruple platinum).
Although BBD describes their music as “mentally hip hop, smoothed out on the R&B tip with a pop feel appeal”, the album concept and production work of the Bomb Squad (Public Enemy, Ice Cube) and Dr. Freeze are straight hip hop.
The first seven songs are energetic and flow together perfectly. The songs are fun, playful and sexier than anything New Edition ever released. Poison is best known for the title track and “Do Me” (do you remember the video? Wow!) . “B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)” is an overlooked gem.
The spotlight shines on Ricky Bell as he sings two ballads at the end of the CD. “When Will I See You Smile Again?”, the stronger of the two, was released as a single.
The album was released in the middle of the Golden Age of Hip Hop (the period between the release of Run-DMC’s Raising Hell and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic). Poison is a great snapshot of the Golden Age and is an essential CD of the collection of NE fans and anyone who loves New Jack Swing.
Will Leon 