The Knoxville-based R&B group Black Vibe is getting ready for a big

summer with the release of a new tape and concert performances across the

Southeast. The group has gained momentum from recent appearances in Atlanta

and is off to Nashville in May, amid hometown shows at a variety of

Knoxville clubs.

Black Vibe features the vocal talents of James Gordon (“Jai’ Swing”),

William Faulkner (“Wil-Mack”) and Cecil Tolbert (“C-Smooth”), with support

from manager Liston Wallace and producer Lamar Gudges. Tolbert and Gordon

were members of the popular area group PD-6, which performed with acts such

as the rapper Capone and 95 South (“Whoop! There it is!”). The group even

met Boyz II Men, who have showed interest in their R&B stylings.

Black Vibe have shows coming up throughout May and June. In mid-May, they

will perform with four other bands in Nashville. Then they return to

Knoxville to appear at Club 25 on Magnolia Avenue toward the end of the

month. On June 11, they will participate in a fundraiser for Operation

SLAM, to be held at Morningside Park.

The group is currently recording at Underground Studios in Seymour, Tenn.,

putting the finishing touches on their new, as-yet-untitled tape, to be

released in early May.

“We’re trying to get everything perfect with the tape,” says Tolbert.

An early listen to two cuts of the tape — “I Want to Funk You Up” and

“Tonight”– speaks of good things to come. The fellows’ voices are smooth,

the music is tight and the production is high-quality. Knoxville’s renowned

R&B group, the Blair Brothers, have invited Black Vibe to perform with them

when their tape is released.

In addition to their polished sound, Black Vibe stands out from the usual

crowd with their positive attitudes toward life. They hope to act as role

models for young people, letting them know that just because you grow up in

“the Hood,” you don’t have take the road of drugs and crime.

“I grew up in the projects and am proud of it,” says Tolbert. “I was

rejected many times for being different and trying to make a better life

for myself.”

Along these lines, the group has strict personal guidelines for themselves,

foremost of which is a “No Profanity” rule in their music.

“We want to help get kids going in a better direction,” says Wallace. “We

want to express the way we can give back to the community.”