Brownstone (group)

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Brownstone
Origin Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres R&B
Years active 1994–1998
2008–present
Labels MJJ Music/Epic (1994–1997)
Associated acts Michael Jackson
Tatyana Ali
Quo
Members Nicci Gilbert (1994-1998, 2007-)
Charmayne "Maxee" Maxwell (1994-1998, 2007-)
Teisha Brown (2008-)
Past members Mimi Doby (1994-1995)
Kina Cosper (1995-1998)
Racquel Roberts (2007-2008)

Brownstone is an American female contemporary R&B group that was popular during the mid-1990s. They are best known for their 1995 hit single "If You Love Me," which was nominated for a Best R&B Performance Grammy Award. "Grapevyne" 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.

History

The three original members of Brownstone were Monica "Mimi" Doby, Charmayne "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 single "If You Love Me." 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, and, after a difficult transition period, Brownstone made a brief showing with the single "5 Miles to Empty", and new album "Still Climbing".

The members of Brownstone are now engaged in varying pursuits. Doby left the music business altogether and became a teacher. Gilbert released a solo album and is currently producing Soul Kittens Cabaret, as well as a possible new Brownstone album. Maxwell had a sporadic career in Europe as a recording artist. As the group failed to match its previous successes, Kina decided to leave the band to pursue a solo career. Kina Cosper was replaced by Kymberli Wright. Wright is now the lead singer of the all-female Grammy-winning jazz group "Straight Ahead" and is recording and touring live with a host of dance/electronic dance producers. Cosper released a self-titled solo album and is currently working on a second album.

Brownstone attempted a comeback in 2007, which included new member Racquel Roberts (an international performing artist with theater credits in Hairspray, Rent and The Lion King. They performed in Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta.

In 2013, Gilbert announced that Brownstone was reuniting for a new album and tour.

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
US
[1]		 US
R&B
[1]		 AUS
[2]		 CAN
[3]		 GER
[4]		 NLD
[5]		 NZ
[6]		 UK
[7]
1995 From the Bottom Up 29 4 17 40 91 14 25 18
  • US: Platinum [8]
  • UK: Silver [9]
1997 Still Climbing
  • Released: June 24, 1997
  • Label: MJJ Music
  • Formats: CD, cassette
 51 16 — — — 73 — 19
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Singles

Year Title Peak Chart positions Album
US
[1]		 US
R&B
[1]		 US
Dan
[1]		 US
A/C
[1]		 AUS
[2]		 CAN
[3]		 FRA
[10]		 IRE
[11]		 NLD
[5]		 NZ
[6]		 UK
[7]
1994 "Pass the Lovin'" — 58 42 — — — — — — 22 — From the Bottom Up
"If You Love Me" 8 2 — 38 13 69 18 15 16 1 8
1995 "Grapevyne" 49 6 — — 44 — — — — 15 16
"I Can't Tell You Why" 54 22 — — — — — — — 6 27
1997 "5 Miles to Empty" 39 6 38 — — — — — — 5 12 Still Climbing
"Kiss and Tell" 102 41 — — — — — — — 47 21
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Featured singles

Year Title Artist Peak positions Album
US US
R&B
1995 "Freedom (Theme from Panther)" Various Artists 45 18 Panther

Awards and nominations

Year Award
1995 Billboard Music Award for Top Hot R&B Singles Airplay for "If You Love Me"
1995 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles Artist - Duos/Group
1995 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles Artist
1995 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top New R&B Artist
1995 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top R&B Artist - Duos/Group
1995 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles & Tracks for "If Your Love Me"
1995 Grammy Award nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Duo or Group ("If You Love Me")[12]
1995 Lady of Soul Music Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year for "If You Love Me" [13]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "US Charts > Brownstone". Billbaord. Retrieved 2012-10-13. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "AUS Charts > Brownstone". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2012-10-13. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "CAN Charts > Brownstone". RPM. Retrieved 2012-10-13. 
  4. ↑ "GER Charts > Brownstone". Media Control Charts. Retrieved 2012-10-13. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "NLD Charts > Brownstone". MegaCharts. Retrieved 2012-10-13. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "NZ Charts > Brownstone". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2012-10-13. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "UK Charts > Brownstone". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-10-13. 
  8. ↑ "US Certifications > Brownstone". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2012-10-13. 
  9. ↑ "UK Certified Awards Search > Brownstone". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2012-10-13. 
  10. ↑ "FRA Charts > Brownstone". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2012-10-13. 
  11. ↑ "IRE Charts Search > Brownstone". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 2012-10-13. 
  12. ↑ Theenvelope.latimes.com
  13. ↑ Billboard - Google Boeken. Books.google.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-04.

External links

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