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management, and from then on it was about changing the whole way we were perceived. We didn't want to be seen just as artists, we wanted to be seen as businessman as well. It was important to have a hold on our careers, so basically when it came to working on our third album, we decided it was going to be all about Q, Slim, Mike and Daron. We now have piece of mind and are back with the album, which has already sold a million copies in the US - we were platinum in six weeks - so it is the most successful record we have ever had. We are definitely moving forward."
Will the new album satisfy die-hard 112 fans? Have you tucked typically huge 112 club jams tucked alongside the R&B ballads?
Mike: "Overall we have, yeah. I guess the album has dance records or the club joints and the wind-down for the baby makers are still there as well (laughs). So the old fans will be happy but hopefully this album will see some new ones on board too."
People often associate you with just the big club smashes you seem unleash every couple of years or so. Does it frustrate you that they don't realise there is so much more to 112?
Daron: "For sure, as 112 we pride ourselves that we have been the only consistent group for a long time that have been able to put songs in the clubs but still have ballads that are just as powerful as the club joints. We take a lot of pride in that."
Mike: "It's something we want to concentrate on, making sure that we are not just known for club hits, cos we want to be seen as a versatile group, and on this album I think we prove that."
You've come such a long way since the release of your first single in 1996, the classic 'Only You' - did you ever think back then that within a five-year period you would have released three albums, which today is quite an achievement in itself?
Q: "Wow, yeah for sure!"
Mike: "I mean, we shot for it, and it was always a goal for us, but we never imagined that the Lord would truly bless us the way he did. Because it is rare. I mean five years is like the average shelf life for an R&B singer, but we feel we've found new momentum; it's almost like a new beginning for us."
Despite your multi-million-selling success in the US, as a territory, how important is it for you to break the UK?
Daron: "Very important. One of the main things we wanted to concentrate on with this album was basically reaching the masses. We want to expand our audience by reaching more people, which is why we are taking the time to come over to the UK and promote 112 properly, to let those who don't know about us know what we are about."
The track 'You' is produced by Mario Winans, who [next page]