Troop
Troop is an American R&B group formed in 1987 in Pasadena, California. The group, originally consisting of Rodney Benford, John Harreld, Steve Russell, Reggie Warren, and Allen McNeil, rose to fame with smooth harmonies and hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Troop started as childhood friends who won a televised talent contest called Puttin' on the Hits, lip-synching and dancing to New Edition's "Cool It Now," which drew record label interest. They signed with Atlantic Records, adopting the name TROOP as an acronym for "Total Respect Of Other People." Their debut album, Troop, arrived in 1988, featuring the top R&B single "Mamacita" at No. 2.
The 1989 follow-up Attitude went platinum, propelled by No. 1 R&B hits like their original "Spread My Wings" and a cover of the Jackson 5's "All I Do Is Think of You." They notched three No. 1 R&B singles and ten top-ten hits overall, with three gold albums and one platinum. Influences included the Temptations, Jackson 5, and New Edition.
Their 1992 album Deepa included another No. 1 cover, "Sweet November" (originally by the Deele). Follow-ups were A Lil' Sumpin' Sumpin' (1994) and Mayday (1998), reissued in 2005. Internal issues, like song publishing disputes and friendships fraying, led to a hiatus after 1998 as members pursued solo writing and production.
By 2013, after reconciliations, the group reunited for touring and released new music, maintaining a fanbase for their classic sound. They remain known for defining late '80s/early '90s R&B with nostalgic covers and choreography.
Attitude
Written-By – Dallas Austin, Joyce "Fenderella" Irby, Allen McNeil, Steve Russell
4:21
2 That's My Attitude
Written-By – Gerald Levert, Marc Gordon
4:51
3 I'm Not Soupped
Written-By – Chris Troy, Steve Russell, William Z. Harmon
4:19
4 My Love
Written-By – Dallas Austin, Joyce Irby
3:43
5 Spread My Wings
Written-By, Instruments, Arranged By [Rhythm] – Chuckii Booker
4:39
6 All I Do Is Think Of You
Written-By – Brian Holland, Michael Lovesmith
4:51
7 I Will Always Love You
Written-By – Dallas Austin, Joyce Irby, Steve Russell
4:03
8 Another Lover
Written-By – Allen McNeil, Steve Russell
4:57
9 For You
Programmed By [Keyboards] – Jim Salamone
4:25
10 Soupped Mix
Written-By – Chris Troy, Steve Russell, William Z. Harmon
4:34
11 Reprise (Spread My Wings)
Written-By, Instruments, Arranged By [Rhythm] – Chuckii Booker
3:04
Label: Atlantic – 7 82035-2,
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B, New Jack Swing
Released in 1989, Troop's Attitude is a quintessential late-80s/early-90s R&B and New Jack Swing album, widely praised for its vocal harmonies and hit singles like "Spread My Wings" and "All I Do Is Think of You". Featuring top-tier production from Chuckii Booker and Dallas Austin, the album is considered a standout, essential, and highly enjoyable record of that era.
The album features four major charting singles: "Spread My Wings" (No. 1 R&B), "All I Do Is Think of You" (No. 1 R&B), "I'm Not Soupped," and "That's My Attitude".
The album blends New Jack Swing with soulful R&B, with production credits including Chuckii Booker, Dallas Austin, and Levert. It is described as having a polished, catchy sound that defines the late 80s.
Critics and fans alike often highlight the group's strong, harmonious vocals and consider this album a high point in their career.
Often noted as a, if not the, best album from the group, it is considered a solid, "no-skip" album for fans of 90s R&B. Users frequently rate it as one of the best R&B albums of its era.