Jodeci/K-Ci & Jojo

The singing of Jodeci and its splinter duo, K-Ci & JoJo, is smoother than an economy-sized jar of peanut butter, but both groups are too saucy and sexualized to be classified as simply a Boyz II Men knock-off. So it's no surprise to hear K-Ci & JoJo on the hook to a street-level 2Pac classic ("How Do U Want It") or such slow-burning Jodeci gyrations as "Freek'n You," "Come & Talk to Me," and "Feenin'."

While they first came together creatively as one half of Jodeci, brothers Cedric and Joel Hailey have made quite a second career out of their side project, K-Ci & JoJo. So much so that it eventually became their full-time gig, as exemplified in such between-the-sheets jams as "Wanna Do You Right," "This Very Moment," and the guitar-spiced "Life." Natural collaborations with Mary J. Blige and hardcore hip-hop stars (The Notorious B.I.G., E-40, and Too $hort) make our playlist more than essential. Vital is more like it.

Trouble and myriad hit tracks have followed Jodeci ever since their solid demo tape of 29 songs was passed from the hands of Heavy D to Uptown Entertainment. In just five years (1991-95), the modern R&B quartet celebrated three platinum albums and standout stylish and sexy singles like the gold-certified "Come & Talk to Me," "Forever My Lady," and "Lately." Behind the scenes, K-Ci and Donald DeGrate had to deal with a 1993 lawsuit from a fan, and right around the same time Donald was robbed at gunpoint of $160,000 in jewelry and clothes. Neither incident kept the group from releasing its third and final gospel/R&B storyline, The Show, The After Party, The Hotel, and the ensuing career of K-Ci & JoJo continues to this day both in their own lavish love songs and the work of others.