The Harrell brothers are one of R&B music’s latest crazes. Their hit BET reality series “Brothers to Brutha” is amongst the channel’s highest rated and their debut album was released during 2008’s slow sunset. Jazze Pha, Shae Taylor, the Corna Boyz, the Heavyweights, and 112 founding member Daron Jones all appear here as songwriters for the brothers in Brutha (whom range in age from 19-25) and it makes for a smooth but exciting R&B record that sounds both contemporary and respectful to the history of the genre.
The first thing you notice about this album is how well these guys harmonize. Their voices, likely because they are blood, seem to flow naturally into each other. While their reality series spoke otherwise, the voices here flow so smoothly and naturally that you sometimes forget they are singing, as if they have become instruments. The inaugural track “Bang Bang” is the album’s highlight although it never really strays below the high bar set with it. “Bang Bang” has an R. Kelly feel to it, both in lyrical content and style. It’s easy to like and its dynamic music will quickly command your head to bob. The more suave style of “Like This” is another highlight, reminding me of the passionate vocal delivery of artists like Avant and Usher. Perhaps that’s the key to Brutha’s debut, they sound like one voice.
Overall this is a strong debut that commands respect from the R&B community. Brutha are very much a real force and I’m sure it won’t be long before the band explodes into the mainstream market. The mass appeal is evident with these guys and their music more than backs up their image, which is more than you can say for most R&B groups these days.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
