Vega (16)

Don't let Vega's Latin-sounding name confuse you. This male vocal quartet from Detroit is producer Dallas Austin's latest R&B protege , signed to his Freeworld Entertainment label through Capitol Records. The group's debut album, "Life On Earth," is set for release Feb. 29. "Dallas actually suggested the name Vega to us," explains group member Eugene Williams, whose brother Ahsohn Williams, cousin Jason Chenevert, and school friend Tennell Williams complete the lineup. "Vega is the brightest star in the northern constellation [Lyra]," he continues. "And since we're aspiring stars from the north-Detroit-the name pretty much fit. It also kind of ties in with the album's futuristic theme." If the whole thing sounds strangely reminiscent of George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic space age-inspired romps in the 1970s, it's all part of producer/label head Austin's marketing angle. "Dallas wanted to present us in a way that would stand us apart from other groups," Eugene explains. "I really enjoy it. It goes along with the theme of the millennium and gives us the chance to do characters. I'm pretty quiet and reserved in real life. But, of course, you can't be like that onstage. So when I'm out as Vega, I get to be something I'm not in everyday reality. I've always wanted to be a super-hero." Vega was first presented to Austin at a music industry convention in Atlanta via the quartet's manager/booking agent, Carlos Hatter. Duly impressed, the producer gave the then unnamed act a tape of unassigned backing tracks to take home and work with. "He sent for us a month later, heard what we'd written, and told us to pack our stuff and come on down to live in Atlanta," recalls Eugene. However, no sooner had the group members relocated to Atlanta than they had to move again-albeit temporarily-to Nashville. "We went down there to work on the album with Dallas and his team of writers," Eugene explains. "In Atlanta, everyone knows Dallas and his phone is ringing constantly. In Nashville, he could concentrate more on the project. Dallas had a specific vision of how he wanted the album to sound, so everyone worked around that." Working closely with such producers as Arnold Hennings, Tim and Bob, Rico Lumpkins, and Chuckie Charles, Vega crafted an album that's divided between uptempo party cuts (which incorporate futuristic sound effects) and touching, heartfelt ballads. Vega's music is published by Soundtron Tunes/V. Lyra Music (BMI). "The most personal song on the album is one we wrote," explains Eugene. "It's entitled "Heaven Needed You.' It's about a guy losing his girlfriend to death. Although we haven't lost a girlfriend, we have lost loved ones." Making guest appearances are JT Money (on "No Dough") and Austin's significant other, TLC's Chilli (Rozonda Thomas), who contributes to the pop, guitar-laced track "Spread My Wings." Vega will be working with Thomas again when the group joins the LaFace/Arista trio on a 13-city tour beginning Jan. 7 in Anaheim, Calif., and wrapping Jan. 29 in Atlanta. The first single from the "Life On Earth" project was "Let Me Get It." "We released that single a couple of months back," says Capitol's senior VP of marketing and promotion, David Linton. "And while it didn't break nationally, it was very well received in the South and parts of the Midwest. Now with their second single, "Mommie' [being released Feb. 1], we obviously want to build on that. "We partnered with Sister 2 Sister magazine and the Thurgood Marshall Fund for a black college tour, which has been incredibly successful," continues Linton. "Our goal is to keep Vega very visible. They've also been doing performances for radio stations" and EMI Music Distribution, Capitol's distributor. While ads for Vega's album will run in black teen magazines (Right On, Word Up, Black Beat, and Vibe), the foursome will also be featured editorially in the aforementioned publications, as well as in Honey, Upscale, J-14, Music Connection, and Behind the Scenes. This will supplement coverage that's already appeared in Impact, Urban Network, Atlanta Daily World, and Michigan Chronicle. "In addition we're sending out promotional items such as futuristic pens that are replicas of laser lights," adds Linton. "You can also expect other electronic gadgets to convey the same image that Dallas has created." Broadway Joe Booker, who programs KIPR Little Rock, Ark., agrees that the group's image is a strong advantage. "They have great stage presence and a great chance for success because they're different." "They've been well-known in the Midwest even before they got a deal," notes Barry Beal, owner of retailer Shantinique Records in Detroit. "There was a lot of interest with their first single, so I expect their album will do very well here."