Riff Revives R&B Harmonies

So what all do you guys have planned for this twentieth anniversary? Are you making a new album now, gonna be touring some?

Mike: Well, like the fellows and I was saying, we're working on this album stuff. And once the album drops, hopefully we'll have a leadway to do more promotions and to promote the music of the 90s and come back with the new stuff. So that the fans and stuff out here can get a feel of what the singing of the 90s was like, which is missing right now. God willing, we'll be busy. We'll be working, hopefully the fans will like the new stuff that's coming out.

Dwayne: And Lean on Me has been a wonderful success for us because even without really being out there in the music scene. That movie has carried us a long way to the point where when people try to forget about Riff, they can't forget because it's always thrown up in their face in the bathroom singing the school song. That movie is really what's keeping us alive without even being out since 94/95.

So you guys talk about working on a new album and I know it's hard to guesstimate but when are you hoping to put it out there?

Mike: Well, it's like this. We're trying to make sure we got the right material. It's up in the air, you know what I mean? There's like a couple of offers on the table. The deal hasn't really been inked yet. Got a couple of labels that's ready to hear the music, but now it's changed. There's no artist development anymore. There's none of that. The stuff we had back in the 90s, it's not there.

You have to go into the record company with your album already done. And then, they'll tell you that's the song that we gonna put out and I think you need to work with one more hot producer and they'll pay for like one or two more songs to get done. It's a different ball game so right now, we're trying to get the music possible. So we're talking probably by winter, we'll probably be out and we probably gonna take over this time because it's in the cards. There's a reason. Because we just ain't thinking about coming back, we're trying to come back and show it. We're just as good as what's out there right now, you know what I mean?

So in the mean time, will you guys be doing any tour dates or anything?

Mike: Our manager, that is a key factor in the whole situation, that's what he does. So he wants us to get sharp, to go back out and do like a thirty minute set opening for different artists. He repped Michael Bolton and he used to represent Luther Vandross and stuff like that. Craig David from over in the UK. You know, he's worked with Silk.

So we have a show together right now because that's what he wants to do, to get back out there and doing it. But we're so busy. We wanna ink our deal first, and then go back out while we work on the album.

So how's the response been from your fans? I know you guys announced on your MySpace that you're planning on doing this stuff. Have you seen a lot of favorable reaction?

Anthony: Oh yes. I got a chance to be on MySpace and the page hit quite a few times from a lot of fans from out in the UK and even a lot of fans from out in Canada, which was two of our biggest markets in terms of album sales. Very excited about us coming back and it's just a matter of time before we do what we need to do to give back to them. That's motivation. Anytime you have a lot of fans hitting your page and excited about the return of Riff, that gives you much more motivation to do it.

So there are still people out there, who has been watching over the years looking out for Riff and trying to see what we've been up to, even without being in the music scene. So we do have a big fan base that are very excited about the return of Riff.

You mentioned something interesting there, you talked about the UK and Canada being strong fan bases. I know like Boyz II Men, they've always had a real strong presence in Japan. What do you think helps you with these global markets that makes them still big fans of these old school R&B groups where in the US, you won't see as much attachment?

Dwayne: You gotta understand, with the UK fans and the Canada market, even during the time of the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, all the Motown acts, these groups were loved in the European market. And these people, they're heartfelt people. I feel as though they understand the significance of soulful singing, that has a long lasting effect on them. Because one song can change a person's life, and during that time where you have these groups that were actually singing soulful, meaningful songs and lyrics that stick with people. Something that we were saying must have stuck with them and we appreciate that because lyrically, these were songs that was sung from the heart, they were written from the heart.

Mike: Right and, they bought records. I'm not like saying that the US just didn't buy records, I'm just saying they were quick to copy your cd. They would copy it you know what I mean? And like Canada and London, they'd buy their own cds. They'd buy two cds, don't open one and make you sign one. You understand what I'm saying? There's only a few people like that here I'm sorry. Right now, it's download city. So right now we have to take full fledge advantage.

Like right now, we have the opportunity. I think Riff is in a great position. I'm not really sure if a record company is the way to go. Because the fact is, the Internet is so powerful right now. You can do that thing. You can do your music and go hard on the Internet and be just as large. You can get bookings, you can do shows for promoters, you can sell your record right there. It's a lot of things open to us now.

To go back to what you was saying, the fans appreciate the music, they buy the records. So they know the music.

Pie: This is Pie, I'm not one of the group members but I think as far as the UK, the market is less political. You don't have to be a strong production team in order for people to embrace your music out there. Here, it's more who you are, how much money you spent to get your record spins and getting the radio stations to play your music and the video stations to play your music. Out there, people just embrace good music whether you go out there and send the fruit baskets to the program director or drop a few dollars on him. If it's good music, they embrace it. Here, if you don't have that certain name or that certain brand, the radio stations, which is the outlet where the audience gets to hear your music. I never forget, they had an experience with Men of Vizion, some of you guys did the BLS Christmas party, and because you wasn't one of the groups, every time they announced your name, your record was the only record they wouldn't play during the commercial.

No but it's true. That's pretty much how it is in the States, everything is so political. It's not even the talent that wins anymore. It's just whoever has the most money to spend.

That's all I've got for you question-wise. One last thing I like to do as fun- since I run R&B Haven, it's a 90s R&B site- I'd like to ask you guys, what were your favorite songs from the 90s? So can each one of you come out and say what tracks you liked the most in the 90s?

Mike: Alright I'm first, cause I love the 90s. I'm not [gonna name all of em], I'm just gonna do four. My favorite songs in the 90s was "She's Playing Hard to Get" by Hi-Five, "If It Isn't Love" by New Edition, "My Prerogative" by Bobby Brown… There was one more, oh! Riff. Straight up and down, Riff, you know, I was happy to see our stuff in there competing with these groups. I was happy to be on the same stage with these dudes.

Dwayne: Well, I mean like he said, those are well, well-respected artists as far as the 80s into the 90s. During that time, you know we were listening to like SWV. I mean you had like the Jodeci and remember Mint Condition was out of that time, remember that? (Still going strong ~Smoove) Tony Terry. I mean, I don't have one base artist that I was listening to. You know, I was dead up on Riff like this is the shit right here.

Anthony: Chilly Chill at your service. Groups like Guy, and I would say Silk, they was a great group. (Hey Chill, don't forget the Rude Boys neither. ~Dwayne). The Rude Boys yea. (Chill was the first one to bring that album to us ~Mike) . The Rude Boys, and Hi-Five, may Tony Thompson rest in peace. Color Me Badd, H-Town. I mean a lot of great groups that was out there in the 80s and 90s. Keith Sweat.

Mike: Hey Matt, you can't forget our boys, come straight from where we come from. Today. Smoove B, we're ready to pass Smoove B the mic.

Steven: Hey I'm just chilling listening to you all. For me, it was basically Will Downing, Mint Condition, Shai, The Rude Boys, Silk, Jodeci, Boyz II Men. And back then, I be listening to Ray Goodman and Brown, Al Green, you know if you want to take it back. I understand you was saying 80s and 90s but I was listening to that too.

Well that's all I got for you guys. Thanks a lot and I wish you the best of luck coming back now.

Riff: Thank you very much Matt. Thanks for taking the time out, we appreciate you, thank you.

Keep up to date with Riff at Riff's MySpace.