Mariah Carey Butterfly CD

Personnel: Mariah Carey, Mase the Lox, Dru Hill (vocals); Michael Cirro (guitar); Donald Parker (piano, keyboards); Walter Afanasieff (keyboards, synthesizers, programming); Stevie J, Dan Shea, Cory Rooney (keyboards, programming); Peter Scwartz (keyboards); Gary Montoute (Hammond B-3 organ); Artie Reynolds (bass); Nathaniel Townsley (drums); Q-tip (programming); Krayzie Bone, Melonie Daniels, Wish Bone, Mary Ann Tatum, Kelly Price, Trey Lorenz, Clarence (background vocals).
Producers include: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Stevie J, Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff, David Morales.
Engineers include: Dana Jon Chappelle, Rich Travali, Glen Marchese, Mike Scott, David Gleeson.
Principally recorded at: The Hit Factory, New York, New York.
"Butterfly" was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. "Honey" was nominated for 1998 Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.
Personnel: Mariah Carey (vocals, background vocals); Krayzie Bone, Wish Bone (vocals, background vocals); Dru Hill, Mase, The LOX (vocals); Michael Ciro (guitar); Donald Parker (piano, keyboards); Walter Afanasieff (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Dan Shea (keyboards, programming, drum programming, sound effects); Corey Rooney, Stevie J. (keyboards, keyboard programming, drum programming); Peter "Ski" Schwartz (keyboards); Michael Phillips (EWI); Artie Reynolds (bass guitar); Nathaniel Townsley (drums); Poke & Tone, Q-Tip (drum programming); Mary Ann Tatum, Clarence ?, Kelly Price, Melonie Daniels, Trey Lorenz (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: David Morales; Mick Guzauski; Mike Scott ; Tony Maserati.
Recording information: Compass Point Studios, Bahamas; Crave Studios, NY; Daddy's House, NY; Doppler Studios, Atlanta, GA; Hit Factory, N.Y.C., NY; The Hit Factory, New York, NY; WallyWorld, CA; WallyWorld, NY.
Photographers: Michael Thompson ; Michael Thompson; Mike Perry.
Arrangers: David Morales; Dru Hill; Ron Grant; Mariah Carey; Satoshi Tomiie; Walter Afanasieff.
Upon its release, Butterfly was interpreted as Mariah Carey's declaration of independence from her ex-husband (and label president) Tommy Mottola, and to a certain extent, that's true. Butterfly is peppered with allusions to her troubled marriage and her newfound freedom, and the music is supposed to be in tune with contemporary urban sounds instead of adult contemporary radio. Nevertheless, it feels like a Mariah Carey album, which means that it's a collection of hit singles surrounded by classy filler. What is surprising about Butterfly is the lack of up-tempo dance-pop. Apart from the Puffy Combs-produced "Honey," Butterfly is devoted to ballads, and while they are all well-crafted, many of them blend together upon initial listening. Subsequent plays reveal that Carey's vocals are sultrier and more controlled than ever, and that helps "Butterfly," "Break Down," "Babydoll," and the Prince cover, "The Beautiful Ones," rank among her best; also, the ballads do have a stronger urban feel than before. Even though Butterfly doesn't have as many strong singles as Daydream, it's one of her best records, illustrating that Carey is continuing to improve and refine her music, which makes her a rarity among her '90s peers. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
A mature and contemplative Mariah Carey emerges as if from a chrysalis on her seventh album, displaying her now-familiar otherworldly vocal abilities tempered by a new restraint, as well as an infallible ear for irresistible rhythm-based, hook-laden music. BUTTERFLY's uptempo songs, including "Honey" and "Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise)," are flawlessly produced and catchy, and the title track soars with the spirit of independence and freedom.
BUTTERFLY is full of such hopeful, uplifting moments, but it is equally infused with a deep sense of sadness and loss, as displalyed on the album's numerous ballads, most notably "Breakdown," a simple, honest song with a "Tears Of A Clown" motif,Rolling Stone (10/30/97, pp.66-67) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...moves still further away from the warmed-over Whitney Houston of Carey's early recordings and firmly into the milieu of modern, hip-hop-inflected R&B. The surprise is that she does it rather well..."