Twice (12)

Formed in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, in the early 90s, and comprising two pairs of identical twins, Twice are a concept act, described by their management as ‘a recording act that embodies a fashion-forward sense combined with musical abilities that has gained favourable reactions from women they’ve performed in front of.’ Signed to MCA Records subsidiary Silas, the group’s self-titled 1997 debut offered a sumptuous collection of R&B ballads, with vocal skills honed by the group members’ considerable experience of church singing. Comprising Lowell and Laval Jones (b. 13 July 1971) and Mike and Ike Owensby (b. 9 November 1968), the group’s efforts were overseen by a star-studded cast of producers, including Mike ‘Nice’ Chapman, Trent Thomas and Groove Theory’s Bryce Wilson. Of the record’s 10 songs, Twice themselves wrote five tracks and produced two. Meanwhile, Silas selected the group’s cover version of Cameo’s 1979 Top 10 R&B hit, ‘Sparkle’, as the album’s first promotional single. This was produced by Angie Stone and D’Angelo, ensuring it attracted attention among the cognoscenti of the R&B community.