Face_2_Face_(Babyface_album)

<i>Face2Face</i> (Babyface album)

Face2Face (Babyface album)

2001 studio album by Babyface

Face2Face is the fifth studio album from R&B singer Babyface. It was released by Nu America and Arista Records on September 11, 2001, in the United States. His first album in five years after 1996's The Day, it also marked Babyface's first album with Arista, which reunited him with his former songwriting and production partner L.A. Reid who was the president of the label at the time of the album's release.[1]

Quick Facts Face2Face, Studio album by Babyface ...

The album was a radical departure from his previous works, as the balladeer was focused on more uptempo songs. Face2Face was also different due to Babyface working with outside producers on roughly half of the album. Producers on the album included Tim & Bob, Heavy D, The Neptunes, Diggin' in the Crates producer Buckwild, Brian McKnight's associate producer Anthony Nance and Dan Reed Network member Brion James.

Reviews of the album were mixed, as critics and fans did not know what to make of Babyface's new musical direction.[2] Face2Face is notable for being one of a few albums released on the same day as the September 11 attacks.[3] It was released alongside other recordings such as Slayer's God Hates Us All, Jay-Z's The Blueprint, Dream Theater's Live Scenes from New York, Mariah Carey's Glitter, Fabolous's Ghetto Fabolous and Nickelback's Silver Side Up.[4]

Critical reception

More information Review scores, Source ...

Allmusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine called Face2Face "a gleaming, stylish platter of urban funk and smooth soul that is easily among his very best records [...] Though he's dabbled in funk since the beginning of his career, the grooves here cut deeper and are flashier than ever before, and the sweet croon of his voice just makes them seem deeper. Then there are the ballads that he's always excelled at – they're just as good here, but they not only offer good contrast, they sound better in this context, surrounded by such exquisite dance numbers and grooves [...] Babyface has never been in better form, and from beginning to end, this record captures him at the peak of his powers."[5]

Track listing

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Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[9]

  • Keyboard programming – Babyface, The Neptunes, Mike City, Megahertz, Heavy D, Anthony Nance, Brion James, Tim Kelley
  • Drum programming – Tim Kelley, Anthony Nance, Buckwild, The Neptunes, Mike City
  • Bass – Babyface
  • Acoustic guitar – Babyface
  • Electric guitar – Babyface, Bob Robinson, Brion James
  • Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes – Wayne Lindsey
  • Hammond B-3 organ – Bob Robinson
  • Background vocals – Babyface, Mike City, Pharrell Williams, Latrelle Simmons
  • Recording – Paul Boutin, Brian Garten
  • Mixing – Jean Marie Horvat, Josean Posey, Edward Quesada, Derek Carlson
  • Executive producer – Antonio "L.A." Reid
  • Photography – Christian Lantry, Sante D'Orazio
  • Art direction, design – Gravillis, Inc.

Charts

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Certifications

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References

  1. [1]
    Huey, Steve. "Babyface - Biography". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-05-10.
  2. [2]
    "Babyface tries being 'Grown & Sexy'". today.com. NBC News. Retrieved 2015-05-10.
  3. [3]
    Mitchell, Gail (July 23, 2005). "Babyface Is Back". Billboard (Paperback ed.). p. 31. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  4. [4]
    Kangas, Chaz. "September 11th, 2001 Was a "Super Tuesday" of Album Releases". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2015-05-10.
  5. [5]
    Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Face2Face at AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  6. [6]
    Seymour, Craig (2000-12-01). "MUSIC REVIEW: Face2Face: Kenneth Babyface Edmonds". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  7. [7]
    Weingarten, Marc (2001-09-16). "Record Rack: A Strong Crop in Fall's First Harvest". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  8. [8]
    Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide Album: Babyface: Face2Face". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  9. [9]
    Face2Face (booklet). Arista Records. 2001.
  10. [10]
    "フェイス 2 フェイス／ベイビーフェイス-リリース-ORICON STYLE-ミュージック" [Highest position and charting weeks for Face2Face by Babyface]. oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Original Confidence. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  11. [11]
    "Babyface Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  12. [12]
    "Babyface Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  13. [13]
    "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  14. [14]
    "Japanese album certifications – ベイビーフェイス – face2face" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2013-09-02. Select 2001年9月 on the drop-down menu
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