What do you get when you take a R&B group showdown and sprinkle in a little Mariah Carey on top?
The answer? This week’s From The Vault pick: Allure and 112‘s ‘All Cried Out.’
A powerful vocal quad, Allure were a female-group signed to Crave Records, a short-lived label founded by none other than Mariah Carey. During their brief but intense run, they managed to score several hits in 1998, including ‘Cried’ which peaked at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Official Singles Charts in the UK.
Interestingly, the track was actually a cover of a Top 10 Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam song, and the band’s mentor can be heard throughout the majority of the tune, providing powerful background vocals. She also co-produced the cut with Corey Rooney and former partner in crime Walter Afanasieff.
112’s presence elevated the the production to seismic heights.
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Directed by Christopher Erskin, the song’s visual focused on the fictional failling relationship of the groups’ respective lead singers. Though it is filled with happy memories of the couple, its ending echoed the poignant lyrics and left them at a point of no return.
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Sure times have changed, but there’s still nothing as moving as meaningful lyrics, and when the melody is as rich as this, it’s an inevitable home-run.
Thankfully in recent years, this strand of song has been making a slow and steady comeback courtesy of acts such as Adele et al.
And we’re genuinely appreciative, because as much as we love ourselves a good “turn-up” session, diversity will always be our favorite flavor. So, here’s hoping there continues to be a place and space for power ballads of this ilk.
