Personal (album)
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| Studio album by Men of Vizion | ||||
| Released | June 18, 1996 | |||
| Recorded | 1995–96; Future Recording Studios (Virginia Beach) | |||
| Genre | R&B, new jack swing | |||
| Length | 64:58 | |||
| Label | MJJ, 550, Epic | |||
| Producer | Rodney Jerkins, Gene Peoples, Alexander Richbourg, Teddy Riley (also exec.), Chris "Lil" Smith, Prathan Nathaniel "Spanky" Williams, Jerry Greenberg (exec.), Michael Jackson (exec.), Sydney "J.R." Joseph (exec.) | |||
| Men of Vizion chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Personal | ||||
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| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    |
Personal is the debut studio album by the American vocal group Men of Vizion. It was released on June 18, 1996 via Michael Jackson's record label, MJJ Music, after a demo tape was played to him by producer Teddy Riley. The album has been described as a "sumptuous blend" of vocal R&B and "90s production techniques", that alternates between smooth ballads and new jack swing.
Personal received mixed reviews from music critics, with some critics noting similarities between the group and Boyz II Men. Some critics felt as if the material was unmemorable versions of Boyz II Men songs, while others felt that Personal was highly different from the music at the time. The album only managed to chart in the United States, where it peaked at 14 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums, 29 on the Billboard R&B Albums and 186 on the Billboard Top 200. Two singles were released to promote the album: "House Keeper" and "Do Thangz". The former was a commercial success, peaking at number 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and at 67 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Composed of George Spencer III, Corley Randolph, Desmond T. Greggs, Brian L. Dermus and lead singer Prathan "Spanky" Williams, Men of Vizion were formed in the early 1990s in Brooklyn, New York. Their vocal R&B harmonies impressed American entertainer Michael Jackson, who signed the group to his record label, MJJ Music, after a demo tape was played to him by producer Teddy Riley in 1993. Greggs told Billboard magazine that the band is "here to prove that intimate songwriting in R&B is coming back". He concluded by stating that the band was writing songs "that everyone will understand".
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