LET'S DO IT AGAINPublished by Warner/Chappell Music (BMI)With their debut album just hitting the streets,
Blackgirl (aka Rochelle Stuart, Pamela Copeland, and Nycolia "Tye V" Turman) are new kids on the R&B
block. But they go straight to the "old school" with their version of "Let's Do It Again." Written by Curtis
Mayfield, the Staple Singers' version of the song went to No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 back in 1975.Solid fans
of both Curtis Mayfield and the Staple Singers, the members of Blackgirl found a way to pay tribute to both
on their debut album, "Treat U Right," with a '90s hip-hop-flavored version of "Let's Do It Again." "We were
talking with our producer, Derek Allen, about doing a remake, and Tye-V suggested Let's Do It Again'
because it brought back memories for her of when she was a little girl," says Rochelle Stuart. "Her father
used to have her stand on the piano in the juke joints and sing it. I do recall the song, but I was just a little
kid, so I don't remember it all that well from back then. But we love it when we hear those old songs. It's
nice to do some of the older stuff and give it a new flavor but still let it keep some of the sound of the old
song. We tried to do Let's Do It Again' our own way, but we wanted to keep that old, churchy sound, like
Mavis and the whole Staple family, that down-home sound, you know? I don't know all of Curtis Mayfield's
stuff, but from what I do know, he is a great writer. I'm glad he's finally really being recognized. Everywhere
we go, and no matter what we sing, everybody always loves Let's Do It Again.' They're liking our other
songs, but that is always the show-stopper.

The girls can't help it: Female vocal groups are multiplying all over the R&B charts. TLC, Xscape, MoKenStef, Kut Klose, Total, Nuttin' Nyce, Brownstone, and Pure Soul are sharing playlists around the country in various permutations. New Silas trio Gyrl is in the batter's box, while En Vogue, SWV, Blackgirl, Jade, Zhane, Vybe, Ebony Vibe Everlasting, Changing Faces, and Fabu are readying follow-up projects. While programmers and label promotion and marketing staffers agree there is a glut, they say that niche marketing and the quality of the music will keep the acts from canceling each other out.

Identifying a niche and filling it--Total for the hardcore urban types, Xscape for the Southern homegirls, Blackgirl for upscale sophisticates--is the game. Many radio and record execs point to TLC as a prime example of a group that has found a niche.

...taut and uncompromising modern R&B that makes some confusing yet moderately illuminating attempts to define `90s sexual politics....

Blackgirl already had created a niche for themselves back in the early '90s when they released their debut album, which got them time on video and radio shows, but didn't propel them into the star studded galaxy. Too bad. Much like other girl groups (En Vogue) with assets (excellent voices) that so many bands lack (talent), their chest busting vocals should be heard by more than their relatives and music reviewers.   http://www.listen.com