Today, February 25, 2001 "Callin'" top the SoundClick.com Hip Hop/R&B Chart for the first time

Sexy, sassy and classy - those are the words that best describe Amari, the new three-women singing sensation from Washington DC.

Amari is sure to take the industry by storm with its debut album, "Sunshine," featuring addictive beats and smooth harmonies reminiscent of En Vogue, Boyz II Men and TLC - not to mention a memorable guest appearance by The Lost Boyz. The group's first single and video is the funky, creeping, "Callin," which is also on the soundtrack to Miramax's film, Ride. Some of the hottest producers in the industry, including James Mtume (K-Ci, Mary J. Blige), Rodney Jerkins (Brandy, Aaliyah), and LaFace's Jerome Jefferson, have contributed to "Sunshine," making Amari that rare thing: true artists singing real - not sampled - music.

Amari - which means "God Is Highest" in Swahili - boasts the talents of three women, Sneezy, Sherri and Pooh. The trio met in high school, where they all studied classical singing. But, Sherri says, "The friendship came first, then the music." Soon after they began performing in local talent shows, and a round-the-way-girl, Kellie Williams - best known as Urkel's true love, Laura, on the ABC sitcom, "Family Matters" - brought the group to the attention of her father, Ervin Williams. Recognizing unique talent, the Williams' became Amari's manager, and after the girls performed on Star Search, Showtime At The Apollo, and BET, they landed a record deal.

"Our strong point is harmonizing," Pooh says. "And everything is classy. A lot of my family is religious, and it makes me happy I could play my music around them."

But don't think "Sunshine" doesn't boast its share of sex appeal. "Callin," for example, is a saucy challenge to men who take their women for granted. "To me the song isn't male-bashing. We're just letting you know - appreciate me." Another cut on the album, "Get Down With Me," featuring Buckshot, was also on the Nothing To Lose soundtrack. Other memorable cuts include a cover of Natalie Cole's "I Got Love On My Mind," "I See No Reason," produced by the venerable James Mtume (whose producing credits include K-Ci, Roberta Flack, Phyllis Hyman and Mary J. Blige), the raucous "Funk You Up," and the seductive "I Like It," produced by Rodney Jerkins (Brandy, Aaliyah, Brownstone, Total). On "Be Out," which uses the chorus from Diana Ross' "Love Hangover" (the only sample on the entire album), the women of Amari make their debut as songwriters.

"Sunshine," produced by LaFace's Jerome Jefferson (and principle producer on this album), is Amari's trademark song. With its old school sound and heartfelt, innocent emotion, "Sunshine" offers an upbeat ode to love of all kinds.

"It's about reuniting with someone you love, not just to a man. It'll make your boyfriend, husband and grandmother say 'I love you,' it'll make you want to call your sister and tell her you love her," says Pooh.

Another cut Amari is particularly proud of is "You're All I Need," with the platinum selling rap group, The Lost Boyz. "Now that's the boogie song," Pooh says. "We recorded that song in New York, and it was a really good vibe. You do better work when the vibe is good." Sherri adds, "It was really exciting to work with them because they had a hit song - Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz - that we used to listen to before we performed to hype us."

Though you can catch everything from a party vibe to a peaceful one on Sunshine, Amari just wants to bring its fans positivity. "We're out to ease pain," Pooh says. Sneezy agrees. "We want to relax people."

"But they shouldn't forget we're sexy, independent women," Sherri adds. There won't be much chance of that after Sunshine brightens the airwaves.

watch Amari's music video for "Callin'" on Launch.com