Search - Bell Biv Devoe :: Do Me! (Remixes CD-5 EP)

THE SONIC EPITOME OF NEW JACK SWING

Knyte | New York, NY | 12/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not sure which version is being sold here, but the following details every aspect of Bell Biv Devoe's most remixed single...the one and only "Do Me!"On a commercial level, the "Do Me!" single had it all: engaging lyrical content, charismatic vocals, top-notch musical production, and a beautiful set-up by "Poison", its wildly successful predecessor. Not to mention that 1990 was also a banner year for New Jack Swing. Easily the most outspoken release from the Poison album, "Do Me!" stands out on a creative level precisely because of who did most of the writing - Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe. As one of the only two songs co-written by BBD for the Poison album, "Do Me!" can be considered a more personal statement from the group than the majority of their other material. And what a statement it was.Produced with Carl E. Bourelly, the album version of "Do Me!" may be best described as a smooth and sexy mid-tempo affair laced with syncopated moans and heavy breathing. After a remarkably sultry opening verse by Ronnie, Ricky carries the rest of "Do Me!" with smolderingly emotive croons. Around the song's midsection, Ronnie and Mike spice things up with their utterly memorable "Backstage" and "Jacuzzi" raps. Then the album version of "Do Me!" comes to a satisfying conclusion as Ricky contributes a series of risqué ad-libs that are alternately sung and spoken.Years before P. Diddy 'invented' the remix, BBD recruited "Word To The Mutha" producers Richard Wolf & Brett "Epic" Mazur to re-tool "Do Me!" upon its release as a single. The first 'Wolf & Epic' version of "Do Me!" was the vigorously rhythmic 'Remix Radio Edit/Club Mix', a textbook example of New Jack Swing at its finest. Beginning with a rapid fire intro, this hyper-adrenalized version of "Do Me!" employs a dazzling bass groove, all new vocals (including an additional tag-team rap verse), a brilliant array of peculiar samples, and the best loop-enhanced drum programming of its era, hands down. Wisely, the 'Remix Radio Edit' was the version chosen to be featured in the "Do Me!" video.Wolf & Epic also managed to create a jazzy, lounge-inspired 'Smoothe' version, and a stripped down, electro-funk oriented 'Mental' version. Both of these remixes can be found on 1991's WBBD-Bootcity. However, trying to track town the 'Remix Radio Edit' is a different story altogether; the "Do Me!" maxi-single and 12-inch on which it had been available went out of print over 12 years ago."Do Me!" became so popular, even a trendy collection of T-shirts was inspired by the song. Perhaps it isn't too far fetched to suppose that Levi Strauss & Co. patterned their similarly-styled "Button Your Fly" T-shirt after witnessing the runaway success of the "Do Me!" collection.The 'Remix Radio Edit' of "Do Me!" represents Bell Biv DeVoe, and the commercial peak of the New Jack Swing movement, at its very best. Fittingly, the last words spoken in this version are: "Hip-Hop, Smoothed Out on the R&B Tip, with a Pop Feel, Appeal, to it!"Njs4ever (New Jack Swing 4Ever)"