I currently own only "Full Moon" and "Human." I briefly had the self-titled debut (it was given to me) and I did not care for it. Her voice wasn't very good, she oversang every song, and the little interludes were annoying. I might give it another try at some point, but I gave it three spins when I got it and couldn't listen anymore. This song ("I wanna be down") is probably the only song I liked on it, and I find she sings it much better NOW than then.

Having said that, both Full Moon and Human are STELLAR albums, and Human in particular is a great pick-me-up disc.

=0P

I always thought this would have been a good single for her first album.

sosgemini said:

No comment on the topic but I was watching Dancing with the Stars last night and there is something majorly creepy about her face now. I couldn't quit figure out if its cause she's too skinny or if she's had plastic surgery. She sadly has that Hollywood odd look.

well...... her eyes have never been in the same proximity so the whole super skinny thing doesn't work for her

Hero0101 said:

I currently own only "Full Moon" and "Human." I briefly had the self-titled debut (it was given to me) and I did not care for it. Her voice wasn't very good, she oversang every song, and the little interludes were annoying. I might give it another try at some point, but I gave it three spins when I got it and couldn't listen anymore. This song ("I wanna be down") is probably the only song I liked on it, and I find she sings it much better NOW than then.

Man, I couldn't possibly disagree more! Brandy's voice was beautiful even then, her phrasing was downright impeccable, and I adore the "I Dedicate" interludes (especially the first one). You really should check out the debut again. Then again, your favorite Brandy albums are my two least favorite, so you may not want to take my word for it.

I think they did a good job picking singles from the debut. My favorite non-single is definitely "I'm Yours."

AlexdeParis said:

Hero0101 said:

I currently own only "Full Moon" and "Human." I briefly had the self-titled debut (it was given to me) and I did not care for it. Her voice wasn't very good, she oversang every song, and the little interludes were annoying. I might give it another try at some point, but I gave it three spins when I got it and couldn't listen anymore. This song ("I wanna be down") is probably the only song I liked on it, and I find she sings it much better NOW than then.

Man, I couldn't possibly disagree more! Brandy's voice was beautiful even then, her phrasing was downright impeccable, and I adore the "I Dedicate" interludes (especially the first one). You really should check out the debut again. Then again, your favorite Brandy albums are my two least favorite, so you may not want to take my word for it.

I think they did a good job picking singles from the debut. My favorite non-single is definitely "I'm Yours."

YUCK! I hated I "Wanna Be Down" then, and I hate it now. I wasn't really into anything from that first album ("Baby" was a wee bit catchy, but that's it). Her later stuff is miles ahead of that debut IMO. I don't know why "Human" doesn't get any love, because that album is on point vocally and the songs are great. "Full Moon" is also chock fulla great tunes, and "Never Say Never" had the spectacular "Angel In Disguise" (to this day I don't know why it never got a proper release as a single with a video, because it's far superior to "Almost Doesn't Count"). The only ones I could get into from "Afrodisiac" were "Should I Stay" and "How I Feel". Some of the outtakes from "Afrodisiac" are classic as well. Here's one:

[Edited 10/6/10 18:41pm]

daPrettyman said:

jiorjios said:

"I Wanna Be Down" was the song which turned me into a Brandy fan and I remain one ever since. I wouldn't say her debut is her best album because there are too many fillers towards the end and "Never Say Never", "Aphrodisiac" and "Human" are all better but it was a solid debut. Unlike most of the other R&B ladies who came out around the same time, her music remains interesting and that's something trully exceptional about her

Well I loved it. The second half has a lot of fillers but the first half more than makes up for it. I really really love it

Brandy's vocals were always dope! Her phrasing and style were always hot to me. Even in this old clip her vocal maturity is on point. Especially for a 14 yr old. I'm not qualified to comment on the NSN joint because I've never heard all of it. I'll check out these clips later. Out of the others I've heard, her debut is near perfect in its goals for a new artist. Full Moon & Afrodisiac are my favorite adult Brandy records though. I wouldn't mind if she picked up where A left off. It was one of the best R&B records released that year to me. Shame it didn't get much love. Maybe it was the single selections that killed any momentum it could've possibly built. IDK.....

Brandy had some funky shi* though.....Some of those grooves in her catalog got some stank on them.

From her debut, the original "Heartbroken", "Baby" and "Best Friend" stood out more than "I Wanna Be Down". I didn't like it either for some odd reason but the other songs I got a little interested. Never Say Never and Afrodisiac are my favorite albums from Brandy.

Timmy84 said:

From her debut, the original "Heartbroken", "Baby" and "Best Friend" stood out more than "I Wanna Be Down". I didn't like it either for some odd reason but the other songs I got a little interested. Never Say Never and Afrodisiac are my favorite albums from Brandy.

I know where u are coming from. When I heard IWBD, I didn't really care for it. Then I heard "Baby" and "Best Friend" and had 2 get the album. "Best Friend" is a damn good track. I'm surprised someone hasn't sampled it.

although not immediately recognisable, i aways felt that the first vocal lines in Monifah's "You" were somewhat inspired by the pre-chorus of "I Wanna Be Down"

Timmy84 said:

Shango said:

although not immediately recognisable, i aways felt that the first vocal lines in Monifah's "You" were somewhat inspired by the pre-chorus of "I Wanna Be Down"

Maybe they both interpolated from the same song.

DJ Screw did a good mix of "I Wanna Be Down" on his "Fuckin' Yo Bitch" mixtape (yes it's called that lol).

Timmy84 said:

Shango said:

although not immediately recognisable, i aways felt that the first vocal lines in Monifah's "You" were somewhat inspired by the pre-chorus of "I Wanna Be Down"

Maybe they both interpolated from the same song.

DJ Screw did a good mix of "I Wanna Be Down" on his "Fuckin' Yo Bitch" mixtape (yes it's called that lol).

Well, they are from the same era.

Speaking of mixes, can't forget this classic REEEEEEEMIIIIIIIIIIIX!

lameless said:

Speaking of mixes, can't forget this classic REEEEEEEMIIIIIIIIIIIX!

NOW I love this version.

AlexdeParis said:

Timmy84 said:

From her debut, the original "Heartbroken", "Baby" and "Best Friend" stood out more than "I Wanna Be Down". I didn't like it either for some odd reason but the other songs I got a little interested. Never Say Never and Afrodisiac are my favorite albums from Brandy.

Of the first album's singles, "Best Friend" is the weakest link IMO. I loved "I Wanna Be Down" and "Baby" as soon as I heard them. "Brokenhearted" is the album's best track.

All on my iPod along with "Always On My Mind" and "I'm Yours". I guess I might as well get the album.

jiorjios said:

daPrettyman said:

Well I loved it. The second half has a lot of fillers but the first half more than makes up for it. I really really love it

I love Human, too. Very underrated album. It was too "pop" for some Brandy fans and not enough rhythm and blues. I haven't taken it out my 6-CD changer since I got it, though.

AlexdeParis said:

Hero0101 said:

I currently own only "Full Moon" and "Human." I briefly had the self-titled debut (it was given to me) and I did not care for it. Her voice wasn't very good, she oversang every song, and the little interludes were annoying. I might give it another try at some point, but I gave it three spins when I got it and couldn't listen anymore. This song ("I wanna be down") is probably the only song I liked on it, and I find she sings it much better NOW than then.

Man, I couldn't possibly disagree more! Brandy's voice was beautiful even then, her phrasing was downright impeccable, and I adore the "I Dedicate" interludes (especially the first one). You really should check out the debut again. Then again, your favorite Brandy albums are my two least favorite, so you may not want to take my word for it.

I think they did a good job picking singles from the debut. My favorite non-single is definitely "I'm Yours."

Brandy's voice was very pretty, soft and feminine on her debut album. It's huskier, now, but still lovely! She really knows how to sing a song. A lot of singers have good voices but don't know what to do with them. Not the case with Brandy.

lameless said:

jiorjios said:

Well I loved it. The second half has a lot of fillers but the first half more than makes up for it. I really really love it

I love Human, too. Very underrated album. It was too "pop" for some Brandy fans and not enough rhythm and blues. I haven't taken it out my 6-CD changer since I got it, though.

For me, that may be the case. However, I felt the material was weak compared to the leaks that appeared before the album dropped.

Not to mention, Brandy needed to face the fact that she was and is a r&b artist and not a pop artist.

daPrettyman said:

Timmy84 said:

Maybe they both interpolated from the same song.

DJ Screw did a good mix of "I Wanna Be Down" on his "Fuckin' Yo Bitch" mixtape (yes it's called that lol).

Well, they are from the same era.

lol

Keith Crouch's finest hour, hands down! Whatever happened to him btw??

This is my fave from the album...

www.myspace.com/keithcrouch5

Saw him or his brother Kenneth perform twice with Rahsaan Patterson. Other memorable moments for are his and/or Kenneth's production

on LaLah Hathaway's second album ("Rise" is a monster groove) and some more tight jams for Jody Watley, Nona Gaye, El Debarge, etc...

Kipper Jones from Tease co-wrote for "I Wanna Be Down" and on Brandy's debut-cd. Also, former-Supremes Sherrie Ford-Payne sings background on that album.

Brandy's catalog has some of Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins' best production work.

Her vocal arrangements are always nice! She has her own distinct style. I've always appreciated that about her.

daPrettyman said:

Timmy84 said:

Maybe they both interpolated from the same song.

DJ Screw did a good mix of "I Wanna Be Down" on his "Fuckin' Yo Bitch" mixtape (yes it's called that lol).

Well, they are from the same era.

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