By DX21 Dasun

BREAKING NEWS EXCLUSIVELY ON SOULSUMMER.COM According to music mastermind and executive producer Jimmy “Henchmen” Rosemond, the hitmaking duo Groove Theory is back together and currently working on their reunion album. “It’s going well,” said Rosemond, whose Czar Entertainment firm also manages the likes of L.A. rapper, The Game. “They haven’t worked together in so long, and like most groups that break up, they’ve come into their own, so it’s almost like sharing that spotlight again, but it’s coming along. I’m excited.”

The world was first introduced to the velvety vocals of sultry singer-songwriter Amel Larrieux and the soulful sounds of producer-musician Bryce Wilson (formerly of Mantronix) in the fall of 1995. Collectively known as Groove Theory, their self-titled debut album and its lead single, “Tell Me,” along with the earlier release that summer of D’Aneglo’s “Brown Sugar,” formed the vanguard of what would become known as the Neo-Soul movement that ushered in the likes of Maxwell, Erykah Badu, and later, Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, and India.Arie.

Groove Theory’s first single and album were both RIAA gold-certified, but there was to be no follow-up disc. After a couple of soundtrack appearances—“Never Enough” on Love Jones in March of 1996 and “It’s Alright” on Sunset Park that April—the group drifted apart. Larrieux formally exited the group in 1999, releasing her debut solo single “Get Up” in October, the same month the Groove Theory album had dropped four years prior. She made her solo debut with 2000’s Infinite Possibilities, and has since released three albums, Bravebird in 2004, Morning in 2006, and a jazz standards album, Lovely Standards in 2007. She also appeared on the soundtracks for Barbershop in a duet with Glenn Lewis in 2002 and Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married with “No One Else” in 2005.

After Larrieux’s departure, Bryce continued on with Groove Theory, adding Makeda Davis as lead singer, but the reconfigured group failed to gain traction and put out a largely unnoticed EP, 4 Shure, in 2000 before officially disbanding in 2001. In 2003, he joined with Rosemond to found Czar Entertainment. Bryce continued his production, working with the likes of Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, and Toni Braxton and being involved in the creation of records that have sold tens of millions. Wilson also pursued an acting career that most notably included the role of James in 2005’s Beauty Shop.

Rosemond expects new Groove Theory joints to become public very soon. “In about two months, real light promo through the Internet and see how radio and people react to it,” says Rosemond. For him, although he’s literally and figuratively guiding “The Game,” there will always be a special place for Groove Theory. “It’s exciting to me because I started with them,” says Rosemond. “If I can make that work again that’ll be a complete circle for me because I don’t know how long I’m going to be in this music business. I just kind of think that 20 years in any business, you have to start thinking about your exit. If I can come full circle and do something real nice and good with them, I’d be very happy.”

[Be sure to leave a comment on this story if you're ready for another GT album in your life.]

Amel Larrieux . Bryce Wilson . Czar Entertainment . D'Angelo . Erykah Badu . Groove Theory . India Arie . Jill Scott . Jimmy Henchman . Jimmy Rosemand . Mantronix . R&B . Soul Artist Profiles . Breaking News