September 15, 2012

Link

Faith Evans has unveiled the cover art and track list for her new album, R&B Divas.

The 12-track project coincides with Evans' hit TV One reality show of the same name where cameras trail her and fellow R&B singers Nicci Gilbert, Monifah, Syleena Johnson and KeKe Wyatt.

The cast of the reality show is featured heavily on the album, while Kelly Price and Fantasia show up on the track "True Colors."

Unlike Evans' previous albums, this marks the first time the soul soprano has served as executive producer for her own work. Evans will donate some proceeds from album sales to the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts.

“I’m proud to honor my dear friend and music icon, Ms. Whitney Houston, and give back to the community in doing my part to help save performing arts in schools," Evans said in a statement. "Making this album has been an incredible experience, and every true fan of R&B music will be touched by these beautiful songs of love, hope, and triumph!”.

R & B Divas is due October 2.

Track list:

Lovin’ Me” feat. Nicci Gilbert, Monifah, Syleena Johnson, and Keke Wyatt
“Tears of Joy”
“Mr. Supafly” feat. Keke Wyatt
“Too High for Love”
“SisterFriend” feat. Nicci Gilbert, Monifah, Syleena Johnson, and Keke Wyatt
“Dumb”
“Sometimes” feat. Nicci Gilbert and Helene “Mom” Gilbert
“True Colors” feat. Fantasia and Kelly Price
“Stonewall” feat. Syleena Johnson
“She’s Me” feat. Monifah
“Soon As I Get Home” (Live in L.A.)
“Jesus Loves” feat. Kelly Price

...

[Edited 10/1/12 5:32am]

Identity said:

September 15, 2012

Link

Faith Evans has unveiled the cover art and track list for her new album, R&B Divas.

The 12-track project coincides with Evans' hit TV One reality show of the same name where cameras trail her and fellow R&B singers Nicci Gilbert, Monifah, Syleena Johnson and KeKe Wyatt.

The cast of the reality show is featured heavily on the album, while Kelly Price and Fantasia show up on the track "True Colors."

Unlike Evans' previous albums, this marks the first time the soul soprano has served as executive producer for her own work. Evans will donate some proceeds from album sales to the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts.

“I’m proud to honor my dear friend and music icon, Ms. Whitney Houston, and give back to the community in doing my part to help save performing arts in schools," Evans said in a statement. "Making this album has been an incredible experience, and every true fan of R&B music will be touched by these beautiful songs of love, hope, and triumph!”.

R & B Divas is due October 2.

Track list:

Lovin’ Me” feat. Nicci Gilbert, Monifah, Syleena Johnson, and Keke Wyatt
“Tears of Joy”
“Mr. Supafly” feat. Keke Wyatt
“Too High for Love”
“SisterFriend” feat. Nicci Gilbert, Monifah, Syleena Johnson, and Keke Wyatt
“Dumb”
“Sometimes” feat. Nicci Gilbert and Helene “Mom” Gilbert
“True Colors” feat. Fantasia and Kelly Price
“Stonewall” feat. Syleena Johnson
“She’s Me” feat. Monifah
“Soon As I Get Home” (Live in L.A.)
“Jesus Loves” feat. Kelly Price

shes one of those 90's rb ladies and gents i could never get into, put her next to Brandy, Monica and all those RB groups like 112 and Next etc...to me this is where RB lost its way.

I'm willing to give the album a chance. On the show, when you hear all of the ladies singing together, they blend in well. Each one of them can still hold notes. Besides I've always loved Faith ever since she came out in the mid-90's.

lastdecember said:

shes one of those 90's rb ladies and gents i could never get into, put her next to Brandy, Monica and all those RB groups like 112 and Next etc...to me this is where RB lost its way.

She's a more versatile and emotionally engaging vocalist than the artists you compared her to. Her debut, The First Lady and Faithfully should be part of every R & B fan's collection .

...

[Edited 9/15/12 18:19pm]

Latest single.

Identity said:

Latest single.

Not overly impressed with this vocal. I'll have to check out some samples before I actually commit to buying the album. Faith's albums have always been a very mixed bag for me. Her last one was totally forgettable. She was never really a belter but she used to sound a lot better than what she's sounding like here.

Identity said:

Latest single.

I'm not crazy about her vocal on this, but I really like the song. I just wish it was produced a tad bit differently.

Identity said:

lastdecember said:

shes one of those 90's rb ladies and gents i could never get into, put her next to Brandy, Monica and all those RB groups like 112 and Next etc...to me this is where RB lost its way.

She's a more versatile and emotionally engaging vocalist than the artists you compared her to. Her debut, The First Lady and Faithfully should be part of every R & B fan's collection .

...

[Edited 9/15/12 18:19pm]

she was a little too much in the "hip hop" rb merge for me, similar to Mary J though i respect their very early stuff for a classic for that time, i dont put them in legendary status by any means.

Identity said:

Latest single.

I like it, really like it. It's a different sound for her..more mature, grown up. I love how her vocals are showcased on this.

lastdecember said:

Identity said:

She's a more versatile and emotionally engaging vocalist than the artists you compared her to. Her debut, The First Lady and Faithfully should be part of every R & B fan's collection .

...

[Edited 9/15/12 18:19pm]

she was a little too much in the "hip hop" rb merge for me, similar to Mary J though i respect their very early stuff for a classic for that time, i dont put them in legendary status by any means.

I agree. It definitely applies to Mary J more as far as the hip hop/rb merge. For me Faith voice was

a little more suttle without all the screaming theatrics of Mary J. I don't own anything by either

artist although i do like some of Faith's material better. I wouldn't claim anyone of them legendary

either especially the highly overrated Mary J.

I know Faith Evans grew up listening to gospel, because I read her book.

I am hearing a gospel twist on her vocal to these slow ballads she is doing.

I like some gospel music but these tracks are not giving me the same inspiration.

Maybe they need to record her live in a church or something but I am just not feeling her the same way. Monica's last album was kind of like that too.

Marlena Shaw had a slow dull record like that too. I guess I don't have the ear for that.

To me, these ballads don't harken back to the pop template of Whitney or Mariah but a much older era. That is nice but I wish they would take it back to the funky parts of the old school era.

Can it be that hard to make a track like this? Imagine Faith Evans singing on it

Cinny said:

To me, these ballads don't harken back to the pop template of Whitney or Mariah but a much older era. That is nice but I wish they would take it back to the funky parts of the old school era.

Can it be that hard to make a track like this? Imagine Faith Evans singing on it

Damn Cinny you took it back, this is too funky!

Maybe the explanation is that there's a shortage of good producers who "think outside of the money making box" these days. OR possibly there are producers who would like to do what you just described but are constantly asking (or being asked) who the target audience would be. We know the current younger crowd wouldn't likely listen but I surely would.

missfee said:

Cinny said:

To me, these ballads don't harken back to the pop template of Whitney or Mariah but a much older era. That is nice but I wish they would take it back to the funky parts of the old school era.

Can it be that hard to make a track like this? Imagine Faith Evans singing on it

Damn Cinny you took it back, this is too funky!

Maybe the explanation is that there's a shortage of good producers who "think outside of the money making box" these days. OR possibly there are producers who would like to do what you just described but are constantly asking (or being asked) who the target audience would be. We know the current younger crowd wouldn't likely listen but I surely would.

But I don't hear money making with these slow-ass ballads either???

And I don't mean vainandy "slow" which is actually midtempo hip hop, i mean these songs are in 6/8 moving slower than Misty Blue.

There are producers who can still play bass (or hire a bassist at least), and clap their hands and play synth (that's ALL they play), but all I'm saying is these ballads are giving me the wrong kind of flashback.

If you wanna sing gospel, where are the background vocals, or that acapella "End Of The Road" type moment? You know?

Cinny said:

missfee said:

Damn Cinny you took it back, this is too funky!

Maybe the explanation is that there's a shortage of good producers who "think outside of the money making box" these days. OR possibly there are producers who would like to do what you just described but are constantly asking (or being asked) who the target audience would be. We know the current younger crowd wouldn't likely listen but I surely would.

But I don't hear money making with these slow-ass ballads either???

And I don't mean vainandy "slow" which is actually midtempo hip hop, i mean these songs are in 6/8 moving slower than Misty Blue.

There are producers who can still play bass (or hire a bassist at least), and clap their hands and play synth (that's ALL they play), but all I'm saying is these ballads are giving me the wrong kind of flashback.

If you wanna sing gospel, where are the background vocals, or that acapella "End Of The Road" type moment? You know?

Maybe I hear something much different than what you hear when you listen to the song. I don't think it's that "slow", actually I think it has a nice flow. So I guess you are saying the song is moreso missing something? I guess for me, it may seem like just a simple song, but I like that. I can get with the other stuff you mentioned too, but sometimes I just need something simple. It's applaudable that there isn't a guest rapper on it either.

missfee said:

Cinny said:

But I don't hear money making with these slow-ass ballads either???

And I don't mean vainandy "slow" which is actually midtempo hip hop, i mean these songs are in 6/8 moving slower than Misty Blue.

There are producers who can still play bass (or hire a bassist at least), and clap their hands and play synth (that's ALL they play), but all I'm saying is these ballads are giving me the wrong kind of flashback.

If you wanna sing gospel, where are the background vocals, or that acapella "End Of The Road" type moment? You know?

Maybe I hear something much different than what you hear when you listen to the song. I don't think it's that "slow", actually I think it has a nice flow. So I guess you are saying the song is moreso missing something? I guess for me, it may seem like just a simple song, but I like that. I can get with the other stuff you mentioned too, but sometimes I just need something simple. It's applaudable that there isn't a guest rapper on it either.

That is true, although I can't imagine there being one on this type of track.

Cinny said:

missfee said:

Maybe I hear something much different than what you hear when you listen to the song. I don't think it's that "slow", actually I think it has a nice flow. So I guess you are saying the song is moreso missing something? I guess for me, it may seem like just a simple song, but I like that. I can get with the other stuff you mentioned too, but sometimes I just need something simple. It's applaudable that there isn't a guest rapper on it either.

That is true, although I can't imagine there being one on this type of track.

You can't imagine it, but I bet somewhere, there's someone who could had made it possible. 'cough Diddy cough'

I'll tell you what, Faith has an almost perfect blend of tone, harmony, and melody! Been listening to this new single repeatedly....

Thanks for posting....I had no idea she was about to drop a new album.

And I'll leave you with this:

Whitney Houston had nothing on Faith, vocally. Minus the respect that Whitney deservedly receives for the amount of albums sold, Faith Evans, although less accomplished fiscally, has a vocal tool-set that appeals to individuals like me. Moreso than Whitney ever did. Faith has a realness that has carried through from her 1st R&B album, to this latest single. Faith has similar vocal stylings in the tradition of Boni Boyer and Rosie Gaines; I could very easily envision her filling in on 'Diamonds & Pearls'. I truly cannot understand how any set of ears could interpret this voice as average or compare it to some of the more universally-agreed average R&B vocalists??But it's probably just me, don't sweat it.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling now.

Thanks again!

free0001 said:

Whitney Houston had nothing on Faith, vocally. Minus the respect that Whitney deservedly receives for the amount of albums sold, Faith Evans, although less accomplished fiscally, has a vocal tool-set that appeals to individuals like me. Moreso than Whitney ever did. Faith has a realness that has carried through from her 1st R&B album, to this latest single. Faith has similar vocal stylings in the tradition of Boni Boyer and Rosie Gaines; I could very easily envision her filling in on 'Diamonds & Pearls'. I truly cannot understand how any set of ears could interpret this voice as average or compare it to some of the more universally-agreed average R&B vocalists??But it's probably just me, don't sweat it.

You kinda missed my point. I wasn't comparing them vocally. I know Faith Evans can sing, but the material wasn't as gospel as I know she grew up on, neither is it the kind of pop ballad that we know worked "fiscally".

Cinny said:

free0001 said:

Whitney Houston had nothing on Faith, vocally. Minus the respect that Whitney deservedly receives for the amount of albums sold, Faith Evans, although less accomplished fiscally, has a vocal tool-set that appeals to individuals like me. Moreso than Whitney ever did. Faith has a realness that has carried through from her 1st R&B album, to this latest single. Faith has similar vocal stylings in the tradition of Boni Boyer and Rosie Gaines; I could very easily envision her filling in on 'Diamonds & Pearls'. I truly cannot understand how any set of ears could interpret this voice as average or compare it to some of the more universally-agreed average R&B vocalists??But it's probably just me, don't sweat it.

You kinda missed my point. I wasn't comparing them vocally. I know Faith Evans can sing, but the material wasn't as gospel as I know she grew up on, neither is it the kind of pop ballad that we know worked "fiscally".

Ok, I got you. My vocal comparison interjection and your previous point were not aligned. Thanks for the reply Cinny.

A preview of Faith's latest album.

There are a couple of nice tunes on it. I may buy it if Target has it on sale for $7.99.

Identity said:

A preview of Faith's latest album.

I've listened to track #4 about 13 thousand times in a row now...

Faith Evans Talks R&B Divas Series & Companion Album

October 1, 2012

Link

In a climate dominated by pop, dance and hip-hop, it can be hard out there for an R&B artist. And that doesn't include life issues like addiction, abusive relationships and financial hardships. But in life-as onstage-the show must go on.

That's the premise behind R&B Divas. The TV One cable network series focuses on singers -- and friends -- Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert, Syleena Johnson, Monifah Carter and Keke Wyatt.

Standing at different crossroads in their respective careers, the ladies also seek a rewarding balance between their entrepreneurial aspirations and personal lives.

"We're not about jumping on tables and throwing bottles," says Evans, who doubles as the series' co-executive producer with Gilbert. "We wanted to show regular life behind the music. We're still human but with resolution, helping each other through situations."

One of the quintet's rewarding resolutions takes center stage on Oct. 2 with the release of R&B Divas. Spotlighting music featured and inspired by the series, the album was executive-produced by Evans and is being released through her eOne Music-distributed label Prolific Music Group.

The label's initial output was Evans' 2010 album, Something About Faith. It debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 4 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and has sold 77,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Reminiscent of the 1995 female-centric Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, R&B Divas provides a platform for the ladies to shine vocally together and separately.

Lead single "Tears of Joy," penned by Claude Kelly, who co-produced with Chuck Harmony for Evans, moves 29-26 on Adult R&B and debuts at No. 92 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Rounding out the 12-song set are standouts like the show's theme, "Lovin' Me"; "Sisterfriend"; and a cover of Cyndi Lauper's No. 1 "True Colors" with Fantasia and Kelly Price. Mike City, Shep Crawford, Rykeyz and Big Jim Wright also produced on the project.

"This album is a reminder that R&B is something our culture is hungry for," says Evans, who's also working on her next solo album due next year. "There's still a need for what we bring to the music game."

The idea of recording "an album of stellar music with great female singers" first came to Evans several years ago, but simmered on a back burner until last February. That's when Evans, Wyatt, Monifah and Gilbert attended a Grammy Awards weekend celebration at Los Angeles nightclub Tru Hollywood. That event, "Kelly Price & Friends Unplugged: For the Love of R&B," featured performances by Price, Evans, Wyatt, Monifah and what tragically turned out to be Whitney Houston's last onstage appearance. Fittingly, a portion of the "R&B Divas" proceeds will benefit the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Performing Arts in East Orange, N.J.

"With all of us in the building that night, I had a revelation that we needed to work together on an album," Evans says. Then after TV One signed on, she adds, "everything lined up by divine order."

"R&B Divas" ends its eight-episode run on Oct. 8. The one-hour series premiered Aug. 20 and became the most-watched original premiere in TV One's history-drawing nearly 900,000 total viewers during its debut and encore airings, according to Nielsen. Phil Thornton, one of the series' executive producers, says the show's success proves that "you don't have to be a train wreck to reach a lot of eyeballs. There's a genuine bond that comes across on camera."

While there's no official word yet concerning a second season or a possible tour behind the album, the ladies are busy with other projects. Wyatt has reunited with singer Avant on new single "You & I." Gilbert has launched plus-size clothing line Curvato as Monifah and Johnson are onboard with solo album projects. And Evans is rolling out her Glass Hair Products venture.

Love me some Faith. Looking foward to the CD. Damn I need to get Tamia too. Did you like it ID?

Tamia's new album is quite good. It's littered with surprises like a moving cover of Wynonna Judd's "Is it Over Yet". I do recommend it.

missfee said:

I'm willing to give the album a chance. On the show, when you hear all of the ladies singing together, they blend in well. Each one of them can still hold notes. Besides I've always loved Faith ever since she came out in the mid-90's.

Video teaser.

That Grape Juice:

Faith Evans Talks R&B Divas, Whitney Houston, New Album, Etc

...

[Edited 10/5/12 13:30pm]

missfee said:

Cinny said:

To me, these ballads don't harken back to the pop template of Whitney or Mariah but a much older era. That is nice but I wish they would take it back to the funky parts of the old school era.

Can it be that hard to make a track like this? Imagine Faith Evans singing on it

Damn Cinny you took it back, this is too funky!

Maybe the explanation is that there's a shortage of good producers who "think outside of the money making box" these days. OR possibly there are producers who would like to do what you just described but are constantly asking (or being asked) who the target audience would be. We know the current younger crowd wouldn't likely listen but I surely would.

Funny enough you should say that; I've been checking out Tamar Braxton's BFV spinoff with her husband Vince-- it's following the making of her album, and of course it's a bunch of trendy nonsense that sounds like something Nicki Garbaj would regurgitate after overdosing on peroxide hair dye, Moscato wine, lollipops and weed. Everything is geared towards being "hot" versus actually doing something with Tamar's talent as a vocalist. And sure enough, after doing the first rough cuts of her debut single, who did she rely on to decide of she was going in the right direction with her song? Not herself, but her producer's 14 year old daughter. She know she needs that target audience to buy her stuff, and since this is obviously more about business and bottom line for her and her husband, folks can pretty much expect a record that appeals to teens with short attention spans who want to drop it like it's hot