This year the MOBO Awards hosted the celebrations of Boyz II Men’s 20 year anniversary as they closed the ceremony  with an igniting. To cement the occasion they have released a new album. The aptly titled ‘Twenty’ consists of 12 original tracks including the new single ‘One Up For Love’ plus a second disc with newly recorded versions of their classics such as ‘End of the Road’ and unforgettably ‘I’ll Make Love to You’.  Considered to be the most successful R&B group of all time, their first three years saw them break records with ‘End of the Road’ which remained at number 1 for 13 weeks in the Billboard Charts and ‘I’ll Make Love to You’ at the top of the charts for 14 years. 

We haven’t seen new material from Boyz II Men in 10 years and they’ve teamed up with some of the big time producers that contributed to their success including Babyface and Teddy Riley. Twenty opens with a philosophical, uplifting dance-to track with ‘Believe’ which features Teddy Riley’s signature New Jack Swing sound. ‘So Amazing’ follows which is a serenading track of appreciation. Once again production wise there is a signature stamp this time from Tim & Bob with similar sounds to that of Bobby Valentino’s ‘Slow Down’.

'End of the Road' one of Boyz II Men's most famous hits which is featured on the new album

This album is not short of a slow jam with the seductive ‘Slowly’ and more heartfelt offerings such as ‘Will You Be There’.  ‘Benefit of a Fool’ along with the previously mentioned ‘Believe’ give the album balance in regards to tempo proving that they are more than just R&B crooners. 

The re-recorded tracks on the second disc will sound noticeably refreshed to anyone familiar with Boyz II Men’s music. ‘Motownphilly’ unlike the other tracks however was not recorded by the original producers. Initially Dallas Austin produced it but this time around Tim & Bob bring forward what was their debut single back in 1991 into 2011.  The absence of former member Michael McCary is very apparent in these new recordings has his baritone vocals are very distinctive. Although this element may be something Boyz II Men fans are familiar with and while it was an equal asset to the equation, this time around the tracks have a sense of renewal and freshness. 

'One Up for Love' the first single from 'Twenty'

Overall ‘Twenty’ is a great album to celebrate the career of an R&B group of this calibre. Having a second disc of their classics may lead people to believe this is another greatest hits, something which had previously been done in 2001 with the album ‘Legacy’. However it deserves a listen before assumptions. This album shows growth which is inevitable after a two decade career span.  Vocally they prove strongest in their new material which may be down to the fact that  you become familiar with a specific structure when listening back on the original recordings. ‘Twenty’ sees Boyz II Men bring their sounds into a new era bringing us new classics  for future nostalgia. 

'Twenty' the brand new album from Boyz II Men, is out now