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Chillin' (Force MDs album)

Chillin is a studio album by the American R&B vocal group Force MDs, released in 1985. The hit single "Tender Love" appears on the Krush Groove soundtrack.

The album peaked at No. 69 on the Billboard 200.

Production

The album was mostly produced by Tommy Boy house producer Robin Halpin, with the exception of two tracks. "Tender Love" was written by the production duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The album marked a shift in the group's sound, downplaying the rap songs in favor of more ballads. "Force MD's Meet the Fat Boys" is set to the theme song to Gilligan's Island.

Critical reception

Trouser Press wrote: "From the ridiculous rap of 'Force M.D.’s Meet the Fat Boys' (partially sung to the melody of 'Gilligan’s Island' and guest-starring the tubby three) to the catchy, falsetto-over-scratch-beats title track, the versatile M.D.’s mix credible urban savvy with enough smooth showbiz to please hard beatboys and mature soul fans alike." The Washington Post thought that "the Force M.D.'s give their intoxicating harmonies the believable edge of impatient desires and streetwise arrangements."

The Los Angeles Times opined: "More comfortable with dreamy balladry than razor-edged rapping, the M.D.'s may not look as harmless as New Edition, but its love songs are equally sweet." The Seattle Times praised the group's "smooth, polished sound," and called "One Plus One" "a high-powered tune influenced by [the] Jackson Five."

AllMusic declared that the group "quietly reinvented quiet storm/R&B for the '80s with their doo wop-heavy 'Tender Love'."

Track listing

Personnel

Force MDs

  • Jesse D (Jesse Daniels)
  • Antoine "T.C.D." Lundy
  • Stevie D (Steven Lundy)
  • Charles "Mercury" Nelson
  • Trisco Pearson

Musicians

  • Robin Halpin – keyboards (1–4, 7, 8), synthesizers (1–4), arrangements (1–4, 7, 8), string arrangements (2)
  • Vince Madison – keyboards (1–4, 7, 8), synthesizers (1–4, 7, 8), arrangements (4)
  • John "M.J." Hickman – keyboards (5)
  • Jimmy Jam – acoustic piano and keyboards [uncredited] (6)
  • Paul Pesco – guitars (1, 3, 4, 7), drum programming (1, 3, 7), additional drum programming (8)
  • Skip McDonald – guitars (2)
  • Doug Wimbish – bass (2)
  • Keith LeBlanc – drums (2)
  • Eric Calvi – drum programming (3, 4, 8), arrangements (4)
  • Bashiri Johnson – percussion (1, 3, 4, 7)
  • The Fat Boys – vocals (5)

Production

  • Tom Silverman – executive producer
  • Force MDs – BGV arrangements (1–4, 6–8)
  • Eric Calvi – engineer (1–4, 7, 8), editing (1, 3, 4, 6, 7), recording (5), mix engineer (5, 6), mixing (5), creative consultant
  • Tom Lord-Alge – mix engineer (1–3, 7, 8)
  • Robin Halpin – mixing (1–4, 7, 8), editing (1, 3, 4, 7), remixing (6), overdubs (6)
  • Joey Gardner – mixing (5), remixing (6), editing (6)
  • Bruce Miller – second engineer (2, 4)
  • Jon Smith – editing (8)
  • Herb Powers Jr. – mastering at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs (New York, NY)
  • Monica Lynch – art direction
  • Doug Rowell – photography

References