| Men of Vizion | |
|---|---|
| Origin | U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, New Jack Swing |
| Years active | 1995-present |
| Labels | MJJ Music |
| Associated acts | Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, "Lil" Chris Smith |
| Members | |
| George Spencer III (G-Fly) Prathan Williams (Spanky) Anthony Fuller (Chill) Dwayne Jones (Stylz) Michael Best (Nitty Green) |
|
| Past members | |
| Brian Deramus Desmond Gregg Corley Randolph |
|
Men of Vizion is an R&B quintet that came to fame in 1996, with the debut album, Personal, which featured the songs "Housekeeper" and "Do Thangz", produced by Teddy Riley, "Lil" Chris Smith.
Contents |
This urban quintet combines R&B basics of harmony and soul to produce a sound characteristic of '90s R&B bands. With Prathan "Spanky" Williams on vocals and George Spencer III, Brian Deramus, Desmond Greggs and Corley Randolph backing him up, Men of Vizion produced several R&B chart singles such as "House Keeper," "Do Thangz," and "Do You Feel Me? (... Freak You)." Some of their more well-known songs include "You Told Me You Love Me," "Forgive Me" and "That's Alright." Many of their songs take on a ballad-type rhythm and harmony.
Men Of Vizion formed and is based in Brooklyn. The group began at La Guardia High School of Music and Art where the members attended school. Corley Randolph was training to be a classical pianist and sang frequently around the city in a jazz ensemble. Writing the first five part harmony selection for the group entitled " Kingdom on top of the world", Corley remains a writer and producer residing in Dallas Texas. In 2007 Corley Randolph opened The Vocal School of Texas. Desmond Greggs not only sings but also writes and produces the group's singles and albums. The group was formed by George "G-Fly" Spencer III along with Brian Deramus, Desmond Greggs, Corley Randolph, and original fifth member Courtney. The group started singing in gospel but later changed to R&B but Courtney felt uneasy about the decision and left the group to stay with gospel. The group down to a quartet started doing backup vocals and also danced with Queen Latifah along with high school classmate and actor Omar Epps. They were originally called Vizion. They then replaced Courtney with eventual lead singer and fellow Brooklyn native Prathan "Spanky" Williams. During the early years, the band played at parties, entered talent shows and performed at local nightclubs. Their persistence paid off when they were signed to Jade Productions. With the support of new jack swing vocalist Teddy Riley, the group was eventually signed with MJJ Music. As the group matured they changed their name to Men Of Vizion. Replacement members Anthony Fuller, Dwayne Jones, and Michael Best appeared in the 1989 biographical-drama film, Lean on Me starring Morgan Freeman.[1] as members of the R&B group Riff.
Their debut album, Personal, was released in 1996. Aside from the band's hits, Men of Vizion also worked with Tasha Scott, Sherri Blaire, "Lil" Chris Smith and Teddy Riley. Men of Vizion covered the 1977 Jackson Five hit "Show You the Way To Go." Deramus, Greggs and Randolph left the group after the first album's release and Deramus and Greggs eventually formed a duo called The Kraft. They were replaced by three members of the R&B Group Riff from Patterson, New Jersey, Anthony "Chill" Fuller, his brother Dwayne "Stylz" Jones, and Michael "Nitty Green" Best and the group released their second album MOV in 1999.