Album Notes

R&B, a diamond in the rough per say of the music industry has been instrumental with an equalizing calmness about it. Many genres of music sample of R&B like Hip Hop, Pop, and some selective contemporary styles such as Soul and Gospel. However, this particular style of music in a nutshell is on an island of its own! Dallas native group Southern Relative (SR) acquiring a various amount of innovative ideas recaptures, excavates, and illuminates the industry with their style and finesse making them capable to compete on the level of many multi-platinum groups such as Jagged Edge, Jodeci, and Boyz II Men. Southern Relative however, touches many different styles, which ultimately makes the debut album "I Want You To Know" genuine and more diverse than the average group. (Not taking away from the accomplishments of the groups named above being that they are all major influences of SR and have already earned their keep and respect in the industry.)

SR began their journey just over 10 years ago as students at Franklin Delano Roosevelt high school in Dallas , TX . In the school year of 1993-1994, the group was formed to participate in a talent show hosted by the school's world-renowned concert choir under the direction of Mrs. Billie K Roberts. Originally the group was named Swave (pronounced Suave) and had a fifth member, Reginald Collins who was the primary bass vocalist. Swave filled the halls, auditorium, and classrooms with harmony on many occasions as they performed routines such as sing-a-grams for Valentines Day, several talent shows, and a host of programs at the request of the school and program directors. As members of the

F.D.R. Concert Choir, Swave was privileged enough to take an international trip to perform in London England over the New Year Holidays in 1993, and entering the year of 1994. They then went on another year glowing with new confidence before they would lose first tenor Chris Pope at graduation the year of 1995. Chris went off to the U.S. Navy as the rest of the group went on to graduate the following school year. After graduation the remaining group members were privileged to make another international trip to Rio De Janeiro , Brazil with the concert choir and afterwards all went off to college to pursue the furthering of their education. Five years would pass before the group reunited only short one member of the original group. Sporadic practices here and there, but as a result of the layoff time their independent lives had grown in different directions and required time for each member to come to their own before they would reform seriously and take actions in accordance to their dreams of entering the music industry. However, they did manage to accomplish the goal of renaming the group to Southern Relative, and if need for an explanation is required, the name was embraced as a symbol of their ability to blend in culturally. Current status for the group is that they are still going! They have rekindled the friendship of a broken era between them and gone on to finish the much-anticipated album. Definitely, this group has a bright future in the R&B and Hip Hop community, and you will find yourself falling in love again for the first time with their music, please anticipate it! In the renewed form of mature voices, sharpened appearance, and undeniable stage presence, I present to you, Southern Relative.