RICH, TONY PROJECT

The Tony Rich Project: Tony Rich (vocals, various instruments, programming); Nuri (vocals); Peter Moore, John Frye (acoustic guitar); Reggie Griffin (electric guitar); Joe Rich (keyboards); Colin Wolfe (bass). Engineers include: Neal H. Pogue, Blake Eisman, Shy Boy. Recorded at Studio LaCoCo and Doppler Studios, Atlanta, Georgia. WORDS includes a poem written by Tony Rich in memory of his father, Jose B. Jeffries. WORDS won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. The album earned three additional Grammy nominations: "Nobody Knows" was nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance; "Like A Woman" was nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance; and The Tony Rich Project was nominated for Best New Artist. The grooves are quiet, contemplative. The sound is subdued. The songs are masterful, loosely woven patterns. Call it "stream-of-consciousness soul" (Tony Rich, we are told, doesn't start composing until the tape machine starts running), and the final result is a compelling, potentially groundbreaking debut from this young, Atlanta-based artist. L.A. and Babyface gave Rich his first big break as a writer/producer for their LaFace label, but this gifted musician shines brightest as a performer. Often, his songs break down into simple, strummed acoustic guitar parts, layers of harmonized vocals, and raw, real lyrics--no syrup or false emotions here. Rich, who grew up in Detroit with a father who also sang and wrote music, favors a subtle, almost whispered approach, borne out in songs like "The Grass Is Green," and the single, "Nobody Knows." Add a welcome gospel touch on the hypnotic "Leavin'," and you've got one of 1996's strongest R&B records.

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