Color Me Badd was the Grammy nominated R&B vocal quartet responsible for “I Wanna Sex You Up,” one of the most successful soul jams of 1991. In November 1993, Color Me Badd released their sophomore cd titled Time And Chance.

After the crazy, multi-platinum sales of both “I Wanna Sex You Up” and its parent album C.M.B., the group enlisted super-producers David Foster, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to craft material for the new cd. Foster helped Color Me Badd on three songs. One was the very well-conceived remake of Skylark’s 1972 hit ballad, “Wildflower,” that was the subject of a past review. Foster contemporized the classic hit of his first band with a respectful touch that enhanced the beautiful melody, thus giving the four singers the right scenario to work their superior vocal harmonies. The second Foster production was a catchy power ballad called, “Let’s Start With Forever” written by noted hitmaker Diane Warren. The last song  and the pick for this week’s review was “Close To Heaven,” a delicious Latin-tinged jam written by Color Me Badd with guitarist Gary James.

“Close To Heaven” was pure ear candy with its scrumptious melody, memorable refrain and the outstanding performance of the four singers trading delicate vocal harmonies. Foster’s stripped down arrangement was founded on great guitar work by co-writer James and session giant Michael Thompson. Time And Chance was certified gold and was the last cd of the group to leave a favorable mark on the charts with a couple of Top 40 hits.

Color Me Badd is still around today. Their line-up includes original members Bryan Abrams and Mark Calderon. 

Listen

• All Vocals: Color Me Badd – Bryan Abrams, Mark Calderon, Sam Watters & Kevin Thornton
• Keyboards: David Foster
• Guitar, Acoustic Guitar and Solo: Michael Thompson
• Synth Bass: Hamza Lee
• Synclavier Programming: Simon Franglen
• Acoustic Guitar: Dee Dee James
• Vocal Arrangement by Color Me Badd
• Produced & Arranged by David Foster 

Lyrics

You know you’re the only one for me
The thought of you
picks me up when I am lonely
I get all crazy when you call out my name
I’m close to heaven when your touching me

You say that you love me
Girl, I know it
I feel the same but still so afraid to show it
I get all crazy when you call out my name
I’m close to heaven when your touching me

It’s gotta be love, sweet love (love sweet love)
Whenever you’re near me
Ooh you make me happy, baby
Love, sweet love (love… sweet love)
Whenever you’re near me
Ooh you make me happy, baby

Me vuelvo loco pensando en
Tu amor
Cuandote veo, temblo por
Tu calor
Cerca del cielco, alma de
Mi corazon, mis ladios
Brillan llenos de emocion

It’s gotta be love, sweet love (love sweet love)
Whenever you’re near me
Ooh you make me happy, baby
Love, sweet love (love… sweet love)
Whenever you’re near me
Ooh you make me happy, baby

All I wanted
All I ever wanted was you
And for you to love me
You keep me warm
And you give me love
I know you’re the one for me

You know you’re the only one for me
The thought of you
picks me up when I am lonely
I get all crazy
When you call out my name
I’m close to heaven
When your touching me

It’s gotta be love, sweet love (love sweet love)
Whenever you’re near me
Ooh you make me happy, baby
Love, sweet love (love… sweet love)
Whenever you’re near me
Ooh you make me happy, baby

Mi vida sonyado asi
Esta cancion que estoy
Cantando es solo para ti
Mirate, tocarte, besarte asi
Ya no lo aguanto mas
Querida mi vida sonydo asi
Esta cancion que estoy
Cantando es solo para ti
Mirate, tocarte, besarte asi
Yo no o aguanto mas
( Heaven’s only one kiss away)

Color Me Badd started with a bang with their 1991 debut album “C.M.B.” It sold over 3 million copies and spawned a bunch of huge chart hits like “I Wanna Sex You Up” and “I Adore Mi Amor.” This talented vocal quartet released their sophomore album, “Time And Chance,” in the fall of 1993. For the new project the group collaborated with top producers like David Foster, Jimmy Jam and Terry Levis. The sounds of “Time And Chance” are quite refined and moved towards the classier pop/r&b zones with smooth grooves and sophisticated moods.
Foster produced and arranged three tracks for “Time And Chance.” “Close To Heaven,” written by Color Me Badd, is an acoustic ditty with a delicious Latin vibe. The group’s sweet vocal harmonies are in the spotlight here together with some beautiful acoustic guitar licks by Michael Thompson. “Let’s Start With Forever” is a Diane Warren ballad Foster arranged with his usual class. The last song Foster provided for the album is an enchanting remake of Skylark’s “Wildflower.” He took his old band’s hit single and reinvented it. The producer’s acoustic piano and effective orchestral arrangement underline the singer’s understated but effective performance. Michael Thompson once again plays his magical guitar as a counterpart to the group’s perfect vocal performances.
In 1994 Color Me Badd went to Japan with Foster as part of his “J.T. Superproducers” tour that included Celine Dion, Peabo Bryson, Warren Wiebe and Jay Graydon in the line-up. On that occasion the group recorded “Love Lights The World” with Dion and Bryson, which was co-written, arranged and produced by Foster.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/wildflower.mp3|titles=Wildflower|artists= Color Me Badd]

Vocals: Color Me Badd
Guitar: Michael Thompson
Synclavier Programming: Simon Franglen
Keyboards: David Foster
Vocals Arranged by Color Me Badd
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

She’s faced the hardest times
you could imagine
and many times her eyes fought back the tears
and when her youthful world
was about to fall in
each time her slender shoulders
bore the weight of all her fears
and a sorrow no one hears

still rings in midnight silence,
in her ears
Let her cry, for she’s a lady
let her dream, for she’s a child
let the rain fall down upon her
She’s a free and gentle flower,
growing wild

and if by chance I should hold her
let me hold her for a time
but if allowed just one possession
I would pick her from the garden,
to be mine

Be careful how you touch her,
for she’ll awaken
and sleep’s the only freedom that she knows
and when you walk into her eyes,
you won’t believe
the way she’s always paying
for a debt she never owes
and a silent wind still blows
that only she can hear and so she goes

Let her cry, for she’s a lady
let her dream, for she’s a child

let the rain fall down upon her
She’s a free and gentle flower,
growing wild