Portrait
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresNew jack swing, R&B
Years active1991–1996; 2000–2005; 2018–present
LabelsCapitol (1992-1996)
Soul Japan Records (2005)
MembersMichael Angelo Saulsberry (1991–present)
Phillip Johnson (1991–present)
Ruben "R.C." Monge (2005–present)
Past members
Eric Kirkland (1991–1996)
Irving Washington III (1991–1996)
Kurt Jackson (1995–1996)
PJ DeMarks (2005)

Portrait is an American R&B and hip hop vocal quartet, consisting of members Michael Angelo Saulsberry, Irving Washington III, Eric Kirkland and Philip Johnson. The quartet group's music sound was influenced by the new jack swing style of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Career

The group, which hailed from Los Angeles, California debuted in 1992 with a self-titled album riding on the end of the new jack swing era.[1] Their debut single "Here We Go Again!", which sampled Michael Jackson's Off the Wall track "I Can't Help It", reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the R&B chart in early 1993, and the second single "Honey Dip" also reached the R&B top 20.[2][3]

The group was featured in an episode of Family Matters, titled "Stormy Weather", performing "Here We Go Again!". In that episode, they were performing at a high school prom, where Waldo mentions that he got them to do it because one of the members happens to be his cousin—Waldo adds that his cousin says he'll do whatever Waldo asks him to do as long as he doesn't tell people that they're related. Although Steve Urkel ends up correctly guessing which of the members is Waldo's cousin.

Throughout 1993 and 1994, Portrait could be heard lending their voices to various projects, appearing on the soundtracks to the movies, Addams Family Values and Blankman, as well as singing on the Black Men United song, "U Will Know" for the Jason's Lyric Soundtrack. Portrait also provided backing vocals on the Quincy Jones single "Slow Jams", which featured Babyface and Tamia on lead vocals, in 1995. The song reached #68 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Also in 1995, the group released their second album, All That Matters. The album had a few minor hits, with "I Can Call You" reaching #22 on the R&B charts and "How Deep Is Your Love", a cover of the Bee Gees song, briefly appearing on the Hot 100.[1]

In 2018, the group returned as a trio consisting of Michael Angelo Saulsberry, Phillip Johnson, and new member Ruben "R.C." Monge (former lead singer of R&B band Po' Broke 'N Lonely?) with a new single entitled "In The Moment" off of their forthcoming project entitled "Beach Music" which landed them opportunities to tour in Germany and the United Kingdom respectively.[4]

Discography

Albums

Year Album Peak chart positions
US
[5]		 US
R&B
[6]		 AUS
[7]		 NZ
[8]
1992 Portrait 7016100—
1995 All That Matters 13126469
1996 Picturesque ————
2005 Share My Love ————
2020 Afro Trees ————

Compilation albums

YearAlbum
2000Greatest Hits

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[2]		 US
R&B
[3]		 AUS
[7]		 FRA
[9]		 GER
[10]		 NZ
[8]
1992 "Here We Go Again!" 11341——48 Portrait
1993 "Honey Dip" —18————
"Day by Day" —42————
1994 "Be Thankful for What You've Got" —59———— Addams Family Values: Music from
the Motion Picture
1995 "I Can Call You" —22———16 All That Matters
"How Deep Is Your Love" 93511524791
Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US
[2]		 US
R&B
[3]		 FRA
[12]
1996 "Slow Jams" (Quincy Jones featuring Babyface and Tamia
with Portrait and Barry White)		 6819— Q's Jook Joint
"Je te donne mon cœur" (Tribal Jam featuring Portrait)[13] ——30 Démarre le show

References

  1. 1 2 Kellman, Andy. "Portrait Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "Portrait Billboard Chart History - Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 "Portrait Billboard Chart History - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  4. ↑ "'90s Group Portrait Talks Comeback, Premieres New Single in Time for Valentine's Day". TheRoot. February 14, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Portrait Billboard Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Portrait Billboard Chart History - Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  7. 1 2 Australian (ARIA Chart) peaks:
    • Top 50 peaks: "Discography Portrait". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
    • Top 100 peak: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 222.
  8. 1 2 "Discography Portrait". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Discographie Portrait". lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Suchen nach "Portrait"". offiziellecharts.de (in German). Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  11. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Portrait – How Deep Is Your Love". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Discographie Tribal Jam". lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Je te donne mon cœur" at Discogs
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