"I was in high school when Shai came out. A classmate asked me have I ever heard of them and I told him no. Man, I watched Video Soul that night and "If I Ever" came on. I was completely blown away by the beat and then I saw Garfield Bright and he took it to another level. I was bait,hook,line and sinker. As I grew older, I got more into their lyrics and the overall message they were trying to send. It was about Love,Life,Education,Poverty,Happiness,Sadness,etc.
I love these guys. All of them and it has been a life long dream just to meet them and vibe with them. I just hate that the industry they're in is showing them no love whatsoever.But as I read the reviews here, I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way. Who could ever forget "Together Forever".That is like the ultimate wedding song. Can you imagine walking down the aisle to eternity to a song of that magnitude? These fellas need their fans. I heard through the grapevine they supposed to have a new album coming out sans Carl Martin. A part of me still hopes he will rejoin the group,but who knows?They have a fan in me for life
Peace"
Shai: The Best R&B Group
Shai Girl | Kansas City, MO | 04/09/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Being that I am an huge Shai fan, I thought their first cd was the bomb. Every song on that cd you could bob your head to. They mixed jazzy beats with romantic tunes. "Together Forever" and "Comforter" were(are) the ultimate love songs. Although Shai didn't get their much needed props on their two follow up albums (Blackface and Destiny). I thought they showed a more mature side. If you haven't picked up "Blackface" and "Destiny," stop what you're doing and go pick it up NOW!"
Shai Is Your "Comforter"
retro_styled_crooner | Tustin, CA USA | 01/20/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When people think of Shai (Carl Martin, Marc Gay, Darnell VanRensalier, Garfield Bright, Carl "Groove" Martin), they think of the smooth silkiness of their voices, which usually makes such weaknesses, on their debut, easy to ignore. At the close of 1992, the urban contemporary vocal quartet missled to the top of the pop and R&B charts with their extremely, harmony-rich, successful debut album, ...If I Ever Fall in Love, not to mention the number one, gorgeous, title track. Though, the single isn't the only flat-out impressive track here. The new jack swing numbers, "Free," (which the foursome only raps on) and "Waiting For The Day," are as good as anything the genre had ever offered, with the second having a hook similar to the Janet Jackson/Luther Vandross duet, "The Best Things In Life Are Free." There are more signs of promise on the Jodeci sound-a like tracks, "Don't Wanna Play," and the catchy "Changes," but the highlight moment on the second half of the album is the huge hit "Baby I'm Yours" (No. 10 Billboard, No. 19 R&B). It's a captivating number, thats shows-off the vocal quartets vocal talents, in terms of seductive vocal-harmonizing. The Whistle influenced piano ballad, "Together Forever," is absolutely beautiful as is the enticing hit "Comforter" (No. 10 Billboard, No. 4 R&B). Most of the material doesn't match Shai's vocal talents, but they do not lack quality material like most early-90 group's."
Take A Trip Straight Through Memory Lane
Enlightened | Atlanta Georgia | 04/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Shai is a four man collective who were one of many harmonizing young men's groups of the early 90's. This particular group had a strong sense of harmony and were one of the better singing groups to come out during that time. The title track 'If I Ever Fall In Love" is a classic unforgettable ode to broken relationships. Definitely one the best R&B songs of my generation that I have ever heard, if not THE best. You know they also add some more hits off this cd as well. They weren't like H-Town, Intro, Hi-Five, or the Rude Boyz; one hit and that's it. "Comforter" is another one of their essential love songs and "Baby I'm Yours", a song about staying truthful to their partners, is also great. "Sexual" became an underground baby making hit, 'Waiting For THe Day' is a smooth with a moving groove. The whole cd is amazing. This album took me down memory lane. Albums like these are the reason many people say that R&B has fallen off. ( I don't think so though!). People my age hold this album close to their heart because it is symbolic of the times, and mostly childhood memories pop into your mind. Enough of my rambling...this is a must have! Get It any way possible."
Yeeah!
Suzzy | 02/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cd is really good. I LOVE "Comforter"! I can listen to that song over and over again."