Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 3 April 1997 — Page 12

The Muncie Times, April 3, 1997, Page 12

► ENTERTAINMENT Az Yet’s debut single “Last Night” reaches platinum

The members of Az Yet (Dion Allen, Darryl Anthony, Marc Nelson, Shawn Rivera and Kenny Terry)— the Philadelphia-born quintet responsible for the platinum—selling single “Last Night,” which hit number one on Billboard’s R&B singles chart and was currently a top 10 “Hot 100 Single”-leaned two important lessons this past year; it pays to trust friends and sometimes you can depend on the kindness of strangers. After several years of constantly calling LaFace Records, leaving messages and trying to get the attention of the label’s co-owner, Babyface, the group finally reached the producer/singer/songwriter through a circuitous route that involved a network of friends and strangers. “We gave our demo to a friend, who gave it to someone (whom we didn’t know), who gave it to someone, who gave it to Babyface’s mother-in-law, Jacqueline McQuam, who gave it to ‘Face,” said Az Yet member Dion Allen. Needless to say, when the quintet got a call from McQuam (now their manager) saying that LaFace Records was interested in signing them, they were more than a little surprised. “She said that ‘Face had heard our demo and if we sounded half as good live, as we did on the tape, we definitely had a deal,” says Kenny Terry. A few days later, Az Yet drove to meet with McQuam in Washington, D.C., where the group was greeted with another surprise: Babyface was headlining a fund-raising concert for boarder babies that evening. After hearing the group sing an a capella version of Brian McKnight’s “One Last Cry,” he asked them to open for him. “We were nervous, but we knew if we didn’t show charisma, if we didn't tear it up, we wouldn’t have a deal,” says group member Shawn Rivera. “So, we pulled out all the stops.” Az Yet not only managed to

finagle a deal with LaFace Records, they impressed Babyface so much that he committed himself to overseeing the production of the group’s self-titled debut. The Grammy Award-winning" producer’s decision to oversee Az Yet’s debut gives the quintet the distinction of being the first group (since his own group, the Deele) whose project he has been involved with from conception to finish. “He attended every studio session,” says group member Darryl Anthony of Babyface’s involvement. “He picked the songs and if he didn’t write or produce it, he would have a production meeting with whoever was going to work with us so they would know how to bring out the best in us.” While Babyface handled the bulk of the album’s production and writing, Az Yet members made their own contributions to the project. Marc

Nelson co-wrote, “Every Little Bit of My Heart” and “Time To End The Story,” while Shawn Rivera coproduced the a capella remake of Chicago’s “Hard To Say Em Sorry.” the group’s second single. All songwriters, the members of Az Yet have plans to work with other up-and-coming LaFace artists. Darryl is already working with recording artist Jon B. (who contributed “Secrets” to the group’s album) on his sophomore effort. Az Yet’s intricate harmonies and the fact that they are from Philadelphia have naturally, brought comparison s to the multi-platinum group Boyz II Men (whose biggest hit, “End of the Road,” was also penned and produced by Babyface). The group says, however, they don’t mind the comparison: they are flattered by them. “We know Boyz II Men. We were all youngsters together in Philly,”

says Dion. In fact, Az Yet group member Marc Nelson is a former member of Boyz II Men. He left the group to pursue a solo career just prior to their signing with Biv Ten Records. Though signing with LaFace Records has necessitated the group moving from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, they say that their hometown is still very much on their mind. “Philly has so much talent. What we really hope is that whatever success we have paves the way for other groups from home to success,” says Allen. “Ideally, we’ll be able to provide some opportunities, but, if nothing else, we hope we can help make folks aware that there is a lot of talent in Philly.”