Ahhh, the 90’s and boy bands. How they go hand-to-hand. Following on the success of boybands of the late 1980s like New Kids on the Block and New Edition, Troop was formed in hopes to blend the two with its popish R&B sound called “new jack swing”. Troop formed in 1987 with five members” Steve “Random” Russell, Allen McNeil, John Harreld, Rodney Benford, and Reggie Warren. They released their self-titled album in 1988, which reached #17 on the R&B album charts. Their debut single “Mamacita” debuted at the #2 spot on the R&B single charts. However, Troop didn’t get their first number one until early spring of 1990 with the single “Spread My Wings”.
The band is sort of active these days; they got back together in 2004 and then in 2006. Some of the members have decided to focus primarily on their solo careers. You might recognize Steve Russell as he produces songs for various artists like Jordin Sparks, Chris Brown, and etc. Do you remember “No Air” by Jordin Sparks or “Invisible” by Jennifer Hudson? He wrote those. He also sings on various motion picture soundtracks like “Dreamgirls”. He and Allen McNeil released their debut albums in 2011. McNell also acts but hasn’t been in any TV shows or movies yet. It is uncertain if John Harreld, Rodney Benford, and Reggie Warren all have careers in the music/entertainment industry as the internet doesn’t have much information on them.
“Spread My Wings” is a song that was composed on the veins of anything produced by Babyface, Bobby Brown, Bruce Hornsby and The Range, and Chuckii Baker. Don’t let the suave vocals convince you other wise. The song is heavily influenced by the new jack style, that was popular in the 90s, by the heavy use of the drum kit, the good old piano, and the way the vocals are handle. Unlike how the official music video portrays it, this song is not really a dance song. I won’t dance to this song with those moves shown in the video. No way! But, “Spread My Wings” is more like an easy listening song that you could listen while you go on a drive, just surfing the internet, or doing chores. The feel good attitude of “Spread My Wings” won’t put you to sleep for sure.
