More Classic Albums

All for Love is third studio album from Grammy-nominated R&B/Pop quintet New Edition, released by MCA Records on November 8, 1985. This would be group member’s Bobby Brown last album with the group until their 1996 comeback album, Home Again.

By spring 1985, New Edition were one of the biggest pop acts in the world after the success of their self-titled second album released the year before. The group, however, now was in mortgage to MCA Records, as a result of having borrowed money from the label to disentangle themselves from a stifling production deal they mistakenly signed during the recording of their previous album. As a result, All for Love would become the first in a cluster of albums the group would be forced to record during this period to work off its debt.

While most of the members were comfortable with the group’s direction, Bobby Brown was becoming increasingly discontent with its bubblegum pop image. Brown was also agitated at having not been more prominently featured as a lead vocalist on the album. Vincent Brantley, the albums main producer, had originally sought to give Brown more solo spots…MCA, however, balked at this idea—insisting that Ralph Tresvant continue to be used on principal vocals. During a national tour to promote the album, Brown often cut in on Tresvant’s leads, performing more raunchily onstage compared to his band mates, angering the group’s management. Growing tension between Brown and his band mates eventually reached a standstill, which contributed to his being terminated from the group in December 1985. Following Brown’s departure, New Edition would continue to promote All for Love as a quartet.

Posted by Mujay on 18 Dec 2010 • 0 Comments