R&B vocal quartet Nu Flavor formed in Long Beach, CA, in 1994 after members Frank Pangelinan (tenor/lead), Jacob Ceniceros (baritone), Anthony DaCosta (tenor), and Rico Luna (alto) met at a party. The foursome soon recorded a demo featuring a cover of Journey's smash ballad "Open Arms"; after the tape made its way to Reprise president Howie Klein, he signed Nu Flavor on the spot. Their self-titled debut album followed in 1997, launching the hits "Heaven" and "Sweet Sexy Thing"; It's On appeared two years later.