In 1999, via Epic's hit "Blue Streak" soundtrack single, "Damn (Should've Treated U Right)," the world received a tantalizing taste of So Plush, the first group signed to award winning producer/CEO, Rodney Jerkins, of Dark Child Entertainment. One year, and a new millennium later, So Plush confidently takes the debut album plunge with a scintillating self-titled set, brilliantly produced by Jerkins, whose platinum-plus credits also include studio wizardry for Toni Braxton, Will Smith, Brandy, Monica, Whitney Houston, Puff Daddy, Jennifer Lopez, and many more. Launched by the irresistible lead single "Yes," SO PLUSH the album takes you on an eclectic, R&B/hip-hop odyssey, easy to love, impossible to ignore.
"There is an intensity that all of us have to make every song we sing touch as many people as possible. So we put maximum effort into doing everything it takes to make that happen," says Raquel Campbell, (17), who early on patterned her vocal approach to that of superstar urban/pop divas Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Her So Plush sisters in song, TJ Lottie (18), Rhonda Russell (18) and Donielle Carter (17), wholeheartedly agree with Raquel's insight. "It all comes down to taking our work, not ourselves too seriously," Rhonda insists.
"That way," adds TJ, "we're able to make the best music we can, and at the same time, have fun doing it."
"But you know, it's kind of easy to make an album like that when you're working with a genius like Rodney Jerkins," declares Donielle, who claims vocal influences such as Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, and Etta James.
Fueled by four extraordinary voices that consistently deliver harmonic excellence and show-stopping leads, it's clear that in the timeless tradition of the Supremes, En Vogue, and TLC, So Plush has the style, beauty, intelligence, maturity and determination to break new female vocal group ground. Making an airtight case for their limitless potential and phenomenal sound, the So Plush CD line-up shines brighter than the Milky Way on a cloudless summer night.
In addition to the impressive hit-bound "What You Do To Me," featuring Fatz, a rising star also on the Darkchild label, other prime examples include: "More Than Life To Me," a passionate harmony filled, ballad, propelled by the amazing vocal skills of Los Angeles born and based Raquel, TJ, Rhonda and Donielle; "LA LA," a funkdadied, West Coast bounce track that lyrically pays tribute to So Plush's domestic roots; "Fire Burns," a 110 degree slow-jam featuring R&B crooner Keith Sweat, who brings a testosterone rush to the fierce feminine flavor that's truly So Plush; "Broke The Rules," a script flipping hip-hop/R&B jam, featuring lyrics from Da Brat; "Hatin' On Me," an off-the-meter declaration of defiance against those who have your worst interest in mind; and "Times Up," another upbeat track over which the ladies pump up the volume, expressing their views on love connections.
"We love this album, and as humbly as possible, we think there's not a song on it that can't be a single release," claims TJ. It was just three years ago that the still in high school foursome combined their respective voices to form the group.
That year, 1997, was the start of something they hoped would be big, with even bigger and better things to come. Hard work, sacrifice and artistic development has been their continuous work ethic.
"We practiced every day," recalls Raquel, who also credits the faith and vision of each of their parents, and the solid career guidance of their manager, John Atterberry, for helping them stay focused on their quest for recording success.
"So Plush has a kind of R&B crossover sound that has people comparing them to a new millennium En Vogue. But their attitude, flavor, wardrobe and mature image set them apart as trendsetters," says Atterberry, who took So Plush to Dark Child in 1998, and was elated that Rodney Jerkins was also impressed by them. "Signing them to Dark Child was one thing, making them the first act on his label, well.. that was icing on the cake."
The icing became even sweeter when the group was chosen to record "Damn (I Should Have Treated U Right)" for the boxoffice hit "Blue Streak," starring Martin Lawrence. "Hearing that song on the radio and seeing the video on BET," recalls Raquel, "was really exciting for us. The pride shown by our family and friends gave us even more motivation to make this album live up to the high standards we knew it had to be."
Speaking of So Plush's sensational 14-song set, in addition to Rodney Jerkins, who is responsible for the lion's share of its writing and production, Darkchild writer/producers Fred Jerkins (Rodney's brother), Harvey Mason, Jr. and LaShawn Daniels, also assisted in producing the self titled album SO PLUSH.
Overall, this fine introductory effort is a reflection of So Plush's ability to express a variety of enduring R&B/Pop signatures with refreshing hip-hop edges. It is evident that So Plush definitely brings an experienced wisdom to the table. Raquel elaborates, "We are very mature for our ages, especially musically. You get no bubble gum songs from us because we sing true R&B with lyrics that have a lot to say about real life and real relationships."
On the subject of image, TJ confirms "Our style of dress is definitely coming from the high fashion end. We think a female group can be well dressed and tastefully sexy without coming out half-naked in public." The naked truth is that the evocative, mass appeal vocals of So Plush and powerhouse, platinum attracting tracks of Rodney Jerkins and the Darkchild team, are an ideal musical marriage.
"What makes this group so deep and well balanced," concludes Rhonda, a young devotee of the jazz styling of legends like Sarah Vaughn and Billy Holiday, "is that all of us have strong, distinctive voices that complement each other. Also, everything we do is a group effort. We know that divided we fall, together we stand. Trust me, we plan to be standing together for a very long time to come."
