This week's 90's artist of the week didn't leave a huge body of work for us to scour through, but what they delivered was more than enough to remember them by. Jade was one of a handful of girl groups that arrived on the musical landscape in the wake of En Vogue success. Their first single appeared on the Class Act soundtrack in 1991 and was a welcome surprise. "I Wanna Love You," which was featured prominently in the movie, was a quick hit appearing on both the Billboard R&B and Top 100 charts. The catchy single was just the precursor for the album that was to come.
Jade To The Max was released November 17,
1992 preceded by the release of their second single. "Don't Walk Away"
would go on to be the biggest hit of their careers and their signature
song. Climbing to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the R&B
charts the song would chart in 7 different countries and go on to be
certified Platinum. One of those perfect 90's songs the intro was and
is instantly memorable with the keyboard and drum pattern filling dance
floors to this day. The success of the two singles along with the two
other charting songs from the album (One Woman and Looking For Mr. Do
Right) would land Jade To The Max a Platinum plaque.
Jade
would go on to follow up the success of their debut album with
a lengthy tour that included a show-stopping performance on the Arsenio
Hall Show. It was during this time frame that they were invited to
appear on the short-lived BET Listening Party to showcase music from
their album. The set was so successful that in an unprecedented move
BET released the show as an album that once again landed Jade in the
charts. To this day it remains the only album released from the series.
Jade would return to the studio 2 years after the release of their first album for a follow up 1994's Mind, Body & Song.
The album was a step forward in their career's as they also helped
co-write and produce for the project. The album was carried by two more
memorable 90's classic songs "5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)" and "Everyday
Of The Week." Both singles would go on to show up on the a R&B
Charts and Billboard Top 100 and once again led to high exposure to a
lot of exposure for the trio. None other than the FOX television
powerhouse shows Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place would use the
group's music on their shows. Jade was even given a guest starring role
on Beverly Hills 90210, at the time a cultural phenomenon all its own.
The
following year would see the group included in the all female posse cut
from the movie Panther. "Freedom" which would once again see the group a
part of a chart topping success. That same year Jade would be
nominated for a MTV Video Music Award. Unfortunately continued success
was not to be as group members would begin to seek careers outside of
the group eventually leading to the oft told story of breakups and
reunions so common with R&B groups. However, no matter how you
choose to look at it Jade has left an indelible mark on the landscape of
90's Era R&B and female groups in particular.
Take some time this week to check out our 90's artist of the week: Jade
--KP
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