Even if Face2Face fails to match the chart heights of, say, "Whip Appeal," Babyface has never been in better form, and from beginning to end, this record captures him at the peak of his powers. 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. 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. As Babyface's sense of craft deepens, he's become more assured with what he wants to do on his own records. All this activity, combined with the subtleness of The Day, is in no way preparation for Face2Face, a gleaming, stylish platter of urban funk and smooth soul that is easily among his very best records. He wasn't exactly in seclusion, since he still worked relentlessly as a producer and songwriter, even masterminding the tremendous pop-punk soundtrack for the 2001 film Josie & the Pussycats. 1 song “We Belong Together” samples his “Two Occasions.Babyface took his sweet time to deliver the sequel to The Day, a rare flop in his catalog, waiting nearly five years to release Face2Face. Meanwhile, he is not averse to being part of the “new” old school: Mariah Carey’s No. “It might be sooner this time I’ll cut it and see.” But he feels there may be another Babyface record inside him. (”Even Snoop Dogg wants to come,” he says.) He is also working with singers Musiq and Calvin Richardson on their new projects. The ever-busy Babyface is producing a Maurice Gibb tribute album that lists Paul McCartney, Jagged Edge, Sheryl Crow, the Black Eyed Peas and Rascal Flatts among its contributors. Set to air the various formats are BET and its sister stations BET Jazz, VH1 and VH1 Soul. It also will be edited into a half-hour show, a video and a commercial spot. The hourlong special - whose audience was chosen from contest tie-ins with radio and - will premiere July 26. “We figured we’d get a good run for our money by creating a stylized visual to promote the album.” “There aren’t many outlets for an adult video to be played,” she says. He stayed at Broward Health Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU. Making sure adults get 'Sexy'Acknowledging that reaching adult audiences through video play can be limited, J Records manager of urban marketing Michelle Sanchez-Boyce says the label opted to shoot the BET special. Baby Alanie Lettsome finally celebrates his victory for beating the odds of survival after being born at 23 weeks. Whether strumming his guitar, playing keyboards or just singing (and joined by brother Kevon on several songs), a clearly invigorated and impassioned Babyface fed off the love fest between himself and an appreciative, sing-along audience. There are certain features that baby-faced people. Knight’s prediction is on point, gauging by the audience’s reaction when Babyface performed the single and the title track during the BET taping. In all, babyfaced individuals are thought of as more honest, naive, warm, kind, approachable, trustworthy, likeable, familiar, and charismatic than the rest of us. A person who has a baby face appears more infant-like, creating a sense that the person is more youthful. Moreover, it is a new stage of growth for him. KHHT (Hot 92 Jamz) Los Angeles music director Damon Knight believes that the masses will accept “Grown & Sexy.” “It will introduce a new generation of R&B faithful to a man that ’grown folks’ already know and love.” He goes on to call the album’s first single, “Sorry for the Stupid Things,” the “perfect apology anthem.” Face to Face is not a departure from the signature Babyface sound. In other words, there will be no major surprises as there were on “Face2Face.” BMG North America CEO Clive Davis “wanted me to do something with a youthful, fun edge to it without people asking, ’What are you doing?!”’ Babyface says. He also stresses that while “Grown & Sexy” is contemporary, it features “classic Babyface songs tweaked with some of today’s production values so it can keep the same fans and still grab a new audience.”
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |