QUeens label signs new talent

A lot has happened to the Jamaica-based songwriting team, the Poindexters, since they first sang together in 1966.
They have penned hits for the O’Jays, Linda Jones, Teena Marie, Sam and Dave, Randy Crawford and Maya Angelou. Their gift to the Persuaders, “Thin Line Between Love and Hate,” has inspired covers by Annie Lennox and Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders, as well as a Martin Lawrence comedy. Most recently, Amy Winehouse and John Legend’s platinum-selling albums featured the Poindexter’s music for Jimi Hendrix’s “She’s a Fox.”
Not content to rest on their laurels, Robert and Jacqueline (Jackie) Poindexter, who are married, and Robert’s brother, Richard, are helping to launch the music careers of some of the youngest artists in Queens.
Since 1971, the Poindexters’ Win or Lose Music Company has produced serial hits for the Persuaders and “marked the resurgence of black-owned records,” said Robert, 66. The company now boasts three youthful R&B acts on its subsidiary label, JacBob Music: L4L, No Rain and Cristen/.
Like JacBob, L4L is a family project. The four brothers (David “Dav” Boursiquot, 21; Daniel “Carmelo” Boursiquot, 19; Samuel “Tre’vion” Boursiquot, 17; Nathaniel “Adore” Boursiquot, 12) grew up singing in church every Sunday. When the two oldest decided to start a singing group, everyone, including 4-year-old Nathaniel, joined in. JacBob discovered them when the group’s managers-their parents-gave them a demo.
“They heard us, they loved us, but [Jackie] wanted us to meet somebody else,” Daniel. That somebody was R&B artist Michael Bivins, of the group New Edition, who signed L4L but had to drop them due to scheduling conflicts with MTV’s “Making the Band.” L4L, whose name stands for “Love for Ladies,” was returned to the care of JacBob.
“Everywhere they perform, they get a lot of attention,” said Jackie, 58. “They could become the next Boyz II Men.”
Other artists on the label include No Image, which features the vocal talents of the Poindexters’ daughter, Ebony “Rain” Members, 28. Members’ song Lay Me Down was included on the soundtrack for the 1997 movie How To Be a Player.
Cristen/, 21, is a singer, songwriter and musician from Queens who refers to her fusion of R&B, alternative and punk as “punk & B.”
Although these acts have been singing since early childhood, getting signed was their first foray into the music business.
“[L4L] is going through a boys group’s early, early experiences,” Jackie said. “I tell them to learn the business, go to seminars, read books. There is so much to be learned.”
“Right now, we’re about to start a MySpace,” said Daniel, adding that he hopes the larger record companies will take notice. The JacBob web site, jacbob.com, allows visitors to sample songs from L4L’s demo.
“When I was a young singer, no one had the visual media that you have now. Things are better for artists today, but it’s a faster-paced world,” said Jackie, who moved to Harlem to record with the Poindexter brothers at the age of 16.
Long before the dawn of Lime Wire, artists had their own struggles to protect their copyrighted work. The Poindexters have been fighting for recognition and royalties ever since they started writing songs and even faced homelessness at times. Robert sold kitchenware and tube socks outside the city’s major music venues.
“It’s been difficult for us,” said Jackie, “even now, with all our successes, to keep our heads above water.”
Armed with knowledge that the music industry can be unpredictable, the Poindexters urge their young clients to “keep education and respect for the music at the forefront” of their lives.
“These groups are hungry and they’re young, but as they grow up and become successful, we just hope that they retain their humility, that they bypass some of the temptations of fame,” said Jackie. “Right now, they’re very spiritual and close to each other. Their parents raised them the right way.”
“It’s always hard to make it,” Robert added. “What we usually tell people is, it’s not only about music. It’s not just about a dream. It’s about achieving that dream.”