This week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday is from the R&B songstress Toni Braxton catalog. She was already a force in the music world when her sixth album, Libra, arrived in stores in the fall of 2005.
Braxton’s fifth album, “More Than a Woman,” undersold, and she had to cancel many scheduled performances due to complications after discovering she was expecting her second child, resulting in a three-year gap before her next album. Wanting a change, Braxton left her label and signed with Blackground Records.
The initial version of Libra, produced by Braxton and her former spouse Keri Lewis from Mint Condition, heavily focused on ballads. However, to prevent a potential failure, the record label insisted on a re-recording with a more commercially appealing sound. To achieve this, Barry Hankerson, the label’s head, enlisted in-demand producers such as Scott Storch, Rich Harrison, and The Underdogs to create a more current and trendy sound.
Scott Storch produced the album’s first single, “Please,” which also opens the album. Catchy and upbeat “Please” aligns with the popular sound of female empowerment. Braxton’s voice is as soulful and captivating as ever, and it’s clear that she was having a good time recording the record,
The legendary Bryan Michael Cox brought his talents to the second single, piano-heavy R&B slow jam “Trippin’ (That’s the Way Love Works)”. Braxton effortlessly navigates through a range of emotions throughout the song. The highly sought-after producer, Rich Harrison, infused his signature sound into the third single, “Take This Ring,” influenced by Go-Go music. Although some critics dismiss the song as Harrison simply repeating the groove he created for Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love” and Amerie’s “1 Thing”, it also works well for Braxton.
The rest of the album shows that Braxton can adapt to modern trends after a decade in the game and still appease her core fan base. Midnite” and “I Wanna Be Your Baby” would feel right at home on a project from one of Braxton’s younger counterparts. A young Keri Hilson contributed her writing talents to the infectious “Sposed to Be,” while “Stupid” and “Finally” recall Braxton’s early sound.
Despite being appreciated by Braxton’s fans, Libra went unnoticed upon release to the public. Nevertheless, it’s a solid album from one of the best voices to emerge from nineties R&B.
Final Grade: B
Libra is available on all streaming platforms.
Songstress Ashanti was experiencing significant success with two platinum albums at the time of the release of her inaugural holiday project, “Ashanti’s Christmas,” on November 18, 2003. Her label head, Irv Gotti, produced most of the album. This project comprises four original songs co-written by Ashanti, in addition to six cover versions of traditional Christmas standards and carols.
Vocal quartet A Few Good Man contributed two songs to the project: a cover of “Silver Bells” and the ballad “Merry Christmas My Dear,” both of which were produced by Daryl Simmons. Demail Burks, David Morris, Aaron Hilliard, and Tony Amey were the members of the group, and after introducing themselves in the festive video for “Silver Bells,” it was only fitting that they delivered a ballad on the album.
R&B legend Luther Vandross had already solidified his place in R&B when he released his first holiday album, “This Is Christmas. Arriving in stores on October 24, 1995, “This Is Christmas” validates Vandross’s ability to sing anything.