Search - Rude Boys :: Rude Awakening

Just Smile and Smile and Smile and Smile for Me...

Enlightened | Atlanta Georgia | 12/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Rude Boyz was a new jack swing quartet discovered by Gerald Levert. Sad to say these men became one hit wonders but the song they made, Written All Over Your Face, is a monumental classic. I still ride to that song. With such a great melody, flawless beat, grooving rhythm, excellent songwriting, beautiful harmonizing...the song is quite simply a masterpiece. They also made some dance grooves reminiscent of the `New Jack Swing' era and the songs are some of the best. I Feel For You and Fool For You are tight songs. But they really shine on the ballads. I'm Going Thru, Are You Lonely For Me, and I Need You wouldn't sound out of place on one of today's albums. With sultry singing and harmonizing and great production on all these tracks they let you slip into a state of daydream. The kind where you just sit back and listen and forget that time is passing at all. Truly beautiful songs, Especially Are You Lonely For Me. This music holds up over time.This album takes me back to the good ol days as a child...and when music can do that to you...then it is truly something special. A treasured gem in my collection."

Bingo Bounce, Banks, and Little!

retro_styled_crooner | Tustin, CA USA | 10/08/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Rude Boys' debut album featured a few chart-topping singles, two of them charted big. The first chart-topper was the Philly Soul sounding/bingo bounce (a clone of The O'Jays' "Use Ta Be My Girl") "Written All Over Your Face," which was penned by group member Larry "Bingo" Marcus (cousin of B.B. King). The vocals of Joe Little, Buddy Banks and a cameo appearance by Gerald LeVert gave the single a nice ride on the charts for 31 weeks; No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B charts. The other huge hit was "Are You Lonely for Me." The well-rounded baritone of Joe Little and the towering tenor of Buddy Banks gave the single a missle launching start on the charts, without a video the single hit No. 1. The third and fourth release singles "Come on Lets Do This" and "Heaven" both broke into the top 40; the more soulful "Heaven" hit No. 15 and the more moderately-paced number "Come on Lets Do This" hit No. 38. The album also featured other great songs like the tight dance track "I Feel For You;" "I Need You" and "I'm Going Thru" are two potentially classic R&B ballads, emotional testimony at its best! Its not unusual for great vocalists to make great albums, outstanding singers with amazing delivery on every song, amazing."

Two great songs, several decent ones

retro_styled_crooner | 06/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Thank goodness for the Internet. I had this on tape years ago (the word "tape" should clue you in as to how long it's been), but I've since lost it and I couldn't remember anything about the album other than the name of the song "Written All Over Your Face." (The only reason I probably remembered this is because it's mentioned by A Tribe Called Quest on their best album, The Low End Theory.) Anyway, "Written All Over Your Face" and "Heaven" are two of the sweetest, most upbeat songs you'll ever hear. They always make me smile. The vocal harmonizing is outstanding and the rhythm is nice - mellow but still enough to make you tap your feet. I don't remember much else about the rest of the album but I'm going to buy it now just for its two great songs."