Brownstone

Brownstone is an American female contemporary R&B group that was popular during the mid-1990s. They are best known for their 1994 hit single "If You Love Me", which was nominated for a Best R&B Performance Grammy Award. "Grapevyne", "5 Miles to Empty" and "Pass the Lovin'" also brought them some success, as well as their rendition of "I Can't Tell You Why", a song originally recorded by The Eagles.

In 2019, it was announced that Brownstone was to reunite with founding members Nicci Gilbert and Mimi Doby, alongside returning member Teisha Brown for the 25th anniversary of the Essence Festival in July, as well as the 25th anniversary of the group.

Career

The three original members of Brownstone were Monica "Mimi" Doby, Charmayne Maxena "Maxee" Maxwell, and Nichole "Nicci" Gilbert. Founded in Los Angeles, the singers met each other after attending various auditions around the city. They formed the group and were signed to Michael Jackson's MJJ Music record label less than a year later. The group soon recorded its debut album From the Bottom Up, which spawned the hit singles "If You Love Me" and "Grapevyne." In 1995, the group earned a Grammy Award nomination and a Billboard Music Award. After extensive touring around the globe, Doby left the group for health reasons; in an interview with BET Video Soul host Donnie Simpson, the problem was cited as bronchitis. The cause of her split from the group was later said (in radio interviews) to be internal strife with the other two members. She was replaced by Kina Cosper of Detroit; other members over the years include Kymberli Wright of Detroit, Racquel Roberts of Los Angeles, and Teisha Brown of Detroit.

After a difficult transition period, Brownstone released the song "5 Miles to Empty" from their sophomore album Still Climbing. In 1998, Brownstone was featured on the soundtrack for the film The Players Club with the song "Don't Play Me Wrong".

Charmayne Maxena "Maxee" Maxwell died on February 27, 2015, at age 46 following what has been reported publicly as an accidental fall.

2019: Brownstone's 25th anniversary

In February 2019, it was announced that Brownstone was to reunite for a one-off performance for the 25th anniversary of the Essence Music Festival with founding members Nicci Gilbert, Mimi Doby, and returning member Teisha Brown, as well as the 25th anniversary of the group. During an interview with former member Kina Cosper, she expressed that she was invited to perform alongside Gilbert and Doby, but that she "respectfully declined."

2022-present: New Music

During the Centennial Boule (July 2022), all three members were inducted into Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. On September 13, 2022, Brownstone's newest line-up, composed of founding member Nicci Gilbert, Teisha Brown, and new member Arin Jackson, announced the release of the group's new single "All I Want" on September 30, 2022. It has been announced, Teisha Brown has departed the group and has been replaced by Arin's sister Alexis Jones.

In 2023, Brownstone has released their live cover of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" from their upcoming Live covers album.

Discography

Studio albums

• From the Bottom Up (1995)

• Still Climbing (1997)

Members

Current members

• Nichole "Nicci" Gilbert (1994–1998, 2007–2015, 2019–present)

• Arin Jackson (2019–present)

• Alexis Jones (2022-present)

From the Bottom Up

From the Bottom Up is the debut studio album by American girl group Brownstone. It was released by Epic Records and Michael Jackson's MJJ Music on January 10, 1995, in the United States. Brownstone worked with a wide range of producers and songwriters on the album, including Jorge Corante, Dave "Jam" Hall, Soulshock & Karlin, and Gordon Chambers. From the Bottom Up spawned four singles, including the top 10 R&B hits "If You Love Me" and "Grapevyne," and a cover of The Eagles' "I Can't Tell You Why". In addition, "Sometimes Dancin'" was featured in the Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home soundtrack.

The album debuted at number 48 on the US Billboard 200 and peaked at number 29 on March 11, 1995. It spent 37 consecutive weeks on the chart and earned a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on August 16, 1995. From the Bottom Up received critical acclaim and garnered several accolades, including a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "If You Love Me," and five Billboard Music Award nominations, winning one for Top Hot R&B Single Airplay for "If You Love Me."

Critical reception

William Cooper from AllMusic called From the Bottom Up a "solid debut." He found that the album "showcases the group's considerable vocal talents, but Brownstone is somewhat distinctive in that the group's members also had a hand in writing their own material. Predictably, the album's songs alternate between R&B funk workouts and slinky slow jams, but the vocals rise above the material, making the album a delightful listen [...] From the Bottom Up is somewhat undermined by an overabundance of producers. But this doesn't take away from the quality of the songs and the solid vocal performances."