Brand New Heavies

Years in the making, The Brand New Heavies sounds today almost as good as it did in the early '90s, the heyday of the so-called acid jazz movement, and the beginning of a return of sorts to natural sounds and the kind of sexy syncopation that only a live drum kit can generate. The group's powerful instrumental alchemy (the Heavies' main lineup had been jamming together in the West London suburb of Ealing since 1985) was bolstered by the regal vocals of Atlanta, Georgia, native N'Dea Davenport. Although her involvement with the group remained sporadic throughout the years, Davenport quickly became the Heavies' most memorable persona.

With its overblown gallery of guest rappers, the much-anticipated followup Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1 was an ambitious, cluttered affair -- the kind of conceptual record that sounds better on paper than in real life. Two years later, the Heavies emerged from the studio with Brother Sister, their ultimate funk manifesto and a bona fide commercial success. One listen to the jubilant "Back to Love" was proof enough that Davenport and company had grown up listening to the right records. Granted, there was nothing new and innovative about their festive R&B revival. So tight and life affirming was the Heavies' groove, however, that it was virtually impossible to stop dancing and question the validity of it all.

That sobering moment came in 1997 with Shelter. Slicker than its predecessors and with a new vocalist to boot (Siedah Garrett) it went platinum in the U.K. with a fun, still-energetic sound that was slowly beginning to feel formulaic. Not much has been heard since then from the Heavies, except for the release of a compilation that included (surprise, surprise) a newly recorded cut with the ever-excellent Davenport. (ERNESTO LECHNER)

From 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide