Choice

Bio:

E-Z & JOE BATAAN...two Making Crossroads performers!


THE CHOICE CONCEPT...

Choice emerged out of the Greenville section of Jersey City, NJ as a hobby for five young men looking for a fun way to occupy their spare time. After attracting much local attention and interest, they began performing professionally. With their extensive rehearsal and research schedule, Choice has earned their reputation as one of the hardest working groups on the acappella circuit, and has performed at such venues as Nassau Coliseum, Continental Airlines Arena and Radio City Music Hall.

As self-proclaimed eternal students of Vocal Group Musical History, Choice relishes their rich musical R&B and gospel heritage and believes that aside from the enjoyment of performing, their call is to foster wider recognition for an aspect of musical history that deserves greater respect and notoriety. By discerning the need to use their work as an opportunity to educate the public about vocal group history, Choice has been inspired to take their vocal talent in numerous directions. The concept of Choice includes performances, but reaches even further to educational and instructional levels; they have taught seminars on R&B history as well as “how-to” classes on singing harmony.

Choice studies the musical styles and backgrounds of such groups as the Dominoes, Five Keys, Larks, Flamingos, pre-’59 Drifters, El Dorados, Spaniels, Ravens and gospel groups such as the Golden Gate Quartet, Dixie Hummingbirds and Swan Silvertones, and has spent painstaking hours perfecting their sound and emulation of these and other such musical predecessors. While performing for appreciative adults is always a pleasure, Choice finds it especially gratifying to spread this interest to today’s youth. With an easily-established rapport, Choice provides the opportunity for youth to learn about their musical heritage.

Choice has worked extensively with the United In Group Harmony Association (UGHA), a non-profit, tax exempt organization that since 1976 has worked for the preservation, exposure and education of R&B vocal group history. Through UGHA Choice has performed and taught seminars on acappella harmony and R&B history for various schools, especially during February/Black History Month.

Among Choice’s most notable achievements is their 2007 appearance on ABC News’ Speak Freely, recording with our good friend, Dennis Gruenling, and his band, Jump Time, and participation in two Japanese film documentaries on the history of acappella and rock & roll which have aired on the Fuji television Network in Japan, and a commercial for Diet Pepsi.

Choice is available for many imaginable occasions.
STEP ONE: You imagine the possibilities.
STEP TWO: Call 24-hour pager 201/860-1765 OR 201-333-3460.
STEP THREE: We respond rather promptly, and set the incidentals.
STEP FOUR: We deliver the goods the way you want 'em!


2008 RECORDING PROJECTS: LITTLE WALTER TRIBUTE album. Hear CHOICE on this project by Dennis Gruenling, and his Little Walter Tribute Band featuring Steve Guyger, and yours truly, we Bad Boys released 2008 on Backbender Records.

NU-SOUL STEW: Choice gets down on a Five Royales tune, "Tears of Joy" by backing up Angel with vocals that incredibly angelic and majestic, on this album that has really taken off, particularly on the beach music circuit. Visit our friend, Angel's website at: www.angelmusicinc.com

Check this out!! CHOICE was chosen by filmmaker, Keith Lewis to participate in a documentary on acappella. Above, CHOICE poses with Keith (back row, center) at CHOICE headquarters in Jersey City, NJ, December 2008.

Member Since:

January 08, 2008

Members:

E-Z: Baritone, 2nd tenor, lead
Ira: 2nd tenor, baritone, 1st tenor, lead
Sha-Dee: Bass, lead
Malik: 2nd tenor, 1st tenor, baritone, lead
Rahim: 1st tenor, lead

Influences:

Gospel Quartets: Dixie Hummingbirds, Swan Silvertones, Fairfield Four, Soul Stirrers, Golden Gate Quartet

Late 40s Early-Mid 50s R&B: Dominoes, pre-'59 Drifters, Swallows, Orioles, Four Buddies, Spaniels, Flamingos, Robins, Clovers, Harptones, Five Royales, Five Keys, and so many others

Mid-Later 50s Doo-Wopp: Wanderers, Velours, Heartbeats, Hollywood Flames, Turbans and more

Bridging into 60s Soul: Dreamlovers, Jive Five, George Goodman & the Headliners, Dells, Softones, Stylistics and more ..

E-Z: You know, it's true what they say about us...yes, we DO have our own recipe for pickling cucumbers, and as a ritual, pop a few before each rehearsal, and each show.


This video was so interesting to us, we just had to put it up here! These girls sure can sing...and um, do a whole lot more. Leaves a lot to the imagination.

Sounds Like:

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We love that you love us for who we are, and what or who we sound like. Since we've been doing this so long, we don't worry or think about who or what we sound like. We're just blessed to have the talent and to have our fans appreciate us for it. Muchas gracias.

Record Label:

We're definite do-it-yourselfers