Deep Groove Encyclopedia

Force MD's

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Click below for a Force MDs sample:

Force MD's never got respect in their day, but time has revealed their blending of doo-wop harmony and street vibe to be a trailblazing force that has been emulated by dozens of acts that followed in their wake. The Staten Island natives appeared on the scene with 1984's "Tears," a sensitive ballad that was one of Tommy Boy's first r&b hits. They performed "Itchin' For A Scratch" for the Beat Street soundtrack, providing evidence of their comfort with the emerging rap genre. Another hip-hop movie, Krush Groove, gave them their biggest crossover success. "Tender Love" paired them with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and soared the charts, as did "Here I Go Again." "Love Is A House" was their first #1 single, another Jam and Lewis production.

They seemed primed to be one of the top new jack swing acts, but infighting prevented them from taking advantage of a style that was suited for their strengths. Several members died in the early 90s. Wu-Tang Clan hooked them up with a record deal that resulted in The Reunion.

Force MD's Deepest Grooves

Love Letters (Tommy Boy, 1984)

Chillin' (Tommy Boy, 1986)

Touch and Go (Tommy Boy, 1987)

Step to Me (Tommy Boy, 1990)

For Lovers and Others: Greatest Hits (Tommy Boy, 1992)
Compiles "Tender Love" and "Love Is A House" along with the ones you forgot about: "Forgive Me Girl," "Couldn't Care Less" and "One Plus One" among them.

The Reunion (Mad Love, 2000)

Let Me Love You (Tommy Boy, 2001)
Another best-of set, done in conjunction with Tommy Boy's massive reissue campaign.