Every generation, a group comes along whose talents shine so brightly you feel it from the moment the first note is sung — they're going to be BIG. The four part group, Midwest City captures the essence of R&B on their debut disc, Authentic R&B (Universal Motown Records). It's the perfect blend of up-tempo, funk infused tracks and soulful ballads laced with lush harmonies. Heavy hitters such as the Trackmasters (Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey), Cool & Dre (Ginuwine, Ja Rule, Mase), Poli Paul (Christina Milian), and Will Campbell lent their platinum production touch to the album.

Their first single, "One Love," a heartfelt ballad, resuscitates R&B's bland formula of overproduced tracks and engineered voices. Taking it back to the old school days when singers sang, Midwest City reaffirms love of the family and the church with their soulful stirrings on the Cool & Dre produced cut.

"R&B has gotten away from how it used to be when people were singing about love and could sing a song that could make you cry," says Midwest City member Solomon, "we want to bring it back to that."

Not another "cookie-cutter" group, Midwest City keeps it as real as a family affair. They are comprised of two sets of brothers who are also cousins — Tone and Solomon; Shay and Shamale; who grew up in Midwest City, a suburb of Oklahoma City. It's the type of small town where everyone knows each other and people leave their doors open. Their mothers are sisters and they all lived in the same house where music was always a part of their lives. From the years spent singing in the choir to the influence of a stepfather, a gospel DJ, they were raised on the sounds of Commission, Pilgrim Jubilee, Mississippi Mass Choir, the Delfonics and many others.

The seeds of a dream were planted in 1998 when the carrot of stardom was dangled in front of them. Although it eventually fell through, the group was born. Undaunted, the four young men began honing their writing skills. Driven by a love of music and a determination to succeed, in 2001 they headed West to California in pursuit of their platinum dreams. They moved to Sacramento and crashed with a brother who was serving in the Air Force.

"When we came out here, we were sleeping on floors and might eat once a day," remembers Shay. In between working on the music, they would take the occasional part-time job and pen material for other local artists.

Eventually word of mouth landed them stage shows. The dream seemed closer than ever when they began opening for Dave Hollister, Yolanda Adams, Tank, Mystikal, Avant, K-Ci and JoJo, and many others.

After many fits and starts, Midwest City met William Campbell of Spencow Entertainment and he helped them create a demo. They were later signed to Spencow Entertainment and doors began opening as the group made the rounds of performing for major label heads.

"Finally, we were with somebody who said they had connections who really had connections," laughs Tone.

One of the execs who saw their performance was Sylvia Rhone when she was at Electra. Timing is everything; fast forward to 2005 and Sylvia Rhone signed Midwest City to Universal Motown.

"We got together because we love music, we really love music," says Shay. Their love of music and their chemistry shows on the 13-track disc, in which they wrote all but three of the songs. From the playful, flirtatious uptempo "Hey Ma" to the addictive, retro R&B head-nodding love anthem, "Be A Man" Midwest City elevates the R&B game with their emotive, gospel tinged vocals and range.

"Our album is about what we go through in our every day lives. We want people to leave knowing what Midwest City is," says Tone. They bring back the respect in music. You won't see them getting their bump and grind on-stage, although they're headed for the big time, they've managed to hold onto their small town values.

When preparation meets opportunity, it's all good. After years of hard work, determination and faith, Midwest City stands poised to ascend the R&B throne and reign supreme. Yeah, they're going to be BIG.