Solo Puts Soul Back in R&B

Solo brought soul music back with their 90s releases, and they plan on doing it again today.

R&B Guru: Members on the site have mentioned hearing a gospel version of the track Heaven. Was it intended to be a gospel song originally?

Dan: Your members are correct, there is a Gospel version of Heaven. It was never intended to be a gospel song, but it was co-written by Big Jim (of Sounds of Blackness fame). We did a million remixes of Heaven as an effort to get spins on the different types of stations and shows. The gospel version was a request that came from local Chicago station WGCI. They loved the song so much and were getting requests to play it on their gospel station, so they asked us to do a gospel version.

We were honored that it was being played with gospel music and were honored and happy to oblige. It was a natural fit. And stands as one of our favorite remixes.

Eunique: It might not have been intended to be a gospel song but it's like with any uplifting song - if its spiritual, that's gospel.

Rob: It's soul music, and soul and gospel go hand and hand.

R&B Guru: After the second album, Perspective Records folded and the group disappeared. What caused the group to go quiet?

Eunique: Ummm A&M.

Dan: Yeah, Perspective actually folded before the 2nd album ever got started and we were acquired by A&M records (our parent record company). Dealing with A&M records on the making and release of "4 Bruthas and a Bass" left a bad taste in our mouths. It was a struggle to go from a label that loved and respected what we did to a label that did not even understand what we did or why we chose to do it. Unfortunately we put our faith in a company that acquired us in a bad divorce. We felt like foster kids left to abusive and negligent foster parents. The whole experience of the 2nd album was traumatic and completely different from the first.

Tony: The label dropped the ball. The label, label, label.

R&B Guru: You guys had a lot of success touring, going on tours with R Kelly and even opening for Biggie Smalls. Was there ever a chance you could have signed with R Kelly after Perspective folded?

No matter what you remember Solo for, you can never forget their distinct bass.

Darnell: Short answer is No.

Dan: Long answer is Unfortunately touring with R-Kelly never allowed us the opportunity to get to know him as a man. Although we treasure the time we spent on the Down Low tour getting to know Biggie and LL, and Escape, it was not the social experience we anticipated when touring with someone we looked up to.

We are very down to earth kinda guys and thought that getting behind the velvet rope would bring with it the privilege of getting to know the many we treasured in the music industry. (As we did Jimmy and Terry, and Janet etc) But we would have loved to hang and get to know the real R.

R&B Guru: Did you ever get the chance to work with R. Kelly in the studio?

Dan: No, we were never invited, but would have killed for the chance. Think about it. He started singing on the streets of Chicago just like we did in NY. It would have been crazy!

R&B Guru: What have you guys been doing individually since the last album?

Solo: Eunique recorded a solo project and released it independently. Darnell has been working on a project with Hip Hop Icon Big Daddy Kane in addition to touring the cruise ship circuit. Rob has been performing Jazz in the NYC area, as well as going back to work as a craftsman for Steinway pianos. Dan produced a series of Bazooka Bubble Gum Television Commercials, has been writing, vocal producing, and arranging for up and coming acts (Like Latin sensation "Tha Heights"), and even went back to school for a Masters.

Check back for updates on Solo as they reestablish themselves in the industry.

R&B Guru: It's been a long time since your last album, so why return now?

Eunique: Why not?

Darnell: Cause it's 2010 and we gon' do it again!

Eunique: Because the state of music is in dire straits, there is no soul (or very little soul out there).

Dan: The fans have spoken and it is very simple it feels like the right time.

Rob: The industry is missing a SOLO.

Eunique: An industry without SOLO is an industry in search of a SOUL.

R&B Guru: What do you think of the current state of R&B?

Eunique: Its sick right now and we are part of the prescription to help make it better.

Dan: True that. I think it's on its way back. Truthfully it never died. It is cyclical just like everything else it. Look around. We got Maxwell, Sade, Ledisi, Neyo, Usher, and R Kelly never left. And with sites like R&B Haven doing what you do, R&B we're here to stay!

R&B Guru: What's your plan going forward?

Dan: To gain momentum and reintroduce the world to SOLO again. Touring, recording a new album, a book deal, reality show - you name it. We have a unique and interesting American story to tell.

Eunique: To touch the hearts of as many people as we can.

R&B Guru: How far along in the process are you guys?

Dan: We are in the early stages. We officially regrouped at the end of February this year.

R&B Guru:The group seems to really be embracing social media with a Facebook page and regular YouTube videos. How do you see this playing into your push going forward?

Dan: We love staying connected to our Fans and Friends. We see this as a major importance. We used to get fan mail from our record company like 6 months to a year after the fact. Now, it is immediate and we feel closer to our fan base. We can stay connected and not even have a record company involved. We love it. It's the computer equivalent of getting live feedback from a crowed street in SOHO.

For now, that's it from Solo. But of course, the group's return is only just beginning so check back regularly to see what the group is up to, and of course, visit Solo on Facebook and let them know it's good to have them back!