Brandy Never Say Never CD

Personnel includes: Brandy, Monica (vocals); Mase (rap); Dean Parks (acoustic guitar); Isaac Phillips, Rick Williams, Anas Allaf, Michael Thompson (guitar); The Darkchild Orchestra (strings); David Foster (piano, keyboards); Harvey Mason Jr. (keyboards); Nathan East (bass); Harvey Mason Sr. (percussion); Rodney Jerkins, Simon Franglen, Chuckii Booker, Felipe Elgueta (programming); Joe, Shelly Peiken, Bebe Winans, Mervyn Warrin, Willie R. Norwood Sr., Kayla Parker, LaTonya Holman, Donyle Jones, Meri Thomas, Vatrena King, Alfie Silas, Bridgette Bryant, Kristle Murden, Mona Lisa Young, Nikisha Grier, Carmen Twillie, Carmen Carter, Bobbette Jamison, Alex Brown, Maxine Waters, Yvonne Williams, Ricky Nelson, Richard Jackson (background vocals).
Producers: David Foster, Rodney Jerkins, Brandy.
NEVER SAY NEVER was nominated for a 1999 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. "The Boy Is Mine" won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal, and was nominated for Record Of The Year and Best R&B Song. "Almost Doesn't Count" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
Personnel: Brandy (vocals, background vocals); Anas Allaf, Isaac Phillips, Michael Thompson, Rick Williams (guitar); Dean Parks (acoustic guitar); Darkchild Orchestra (strings); Harvey Mason, Sr. (keyboards, percussion); David Foster (keyboards); Chuckii Booker (drums, programming); Felipe Elgueta, Simon Franglen (programming); Donyle Jones, Dorian Holley, Nikisha Grierf, Willie R. Norwood, Meri Thomas, Vatrina King, James McCrary, Rick Nelson, Joe ?, LaTonya Holman, Bobette Jamison-Harrison, Kayla Parker, Kristle Murden, Alex Brown, Alfie Silas, Maxine Willard Waters, Mervyn Warren, Monalisa Young, Monica, Oren Waters, Richard Jackson, Shelly Peiken, BeBe Winans, Yvonne Williams, Bridgette Bryant, Carmen Carter, Carmen Twillie (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Dexter Simmons; Gerry Brown ; Ken Deranteriasian; Mick Guzauski; Brad Gilderman.
Recording information: Enterprise; Hit Factory, NYCArrangers: LaShawn Daniels; Rodney Jerkins; Larry Gold.
Shortly after the release of her eponymous debut in 1995, Brandy became a star. Not only did the album sell well, but she starred on UPN's Moesha and Disney's made-for-TV Cinderella, all before she released her second album, Never Say Never, in 1998. Needless to say, there was much more riding on the second record than the debut and, fortunately, she follows through with Never Say Never, delivering an album that rivals her first. Brandy wisely decides to find a middle ground between Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige -- it's adult contemporary with a slight streetwise edge. As with most adult contemporary albums, the record is bogged down by some filler, but Brandy's delivery has improved and her subdued vocals can make mediocre material sound convincing. Still, what makes Never Say Never a winning record is the quality songs and production. The smooth Monica duet "The Boy Is Mine" and the tripped-out "Top of the World" (which features a rap from Mase) are two examples of what Brandy can achieve when everything's in the right place, and they help make Never Say Never a better, more adventurous record than her debut. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Avoiding the dreaded sophomore slump, Brandy delivers a fresh-sounding, well- crafted second album that sounds as much like pop as it does R&B. NEVER SAY NEVER features a song, "Have You Ever?," that was written by mega-songstress Diane Warren and produced by super-producer David Foster. The lead single, "The Boy is Mine" is a duet with fellow R&B'er Monica. Keeping up with the trend of big-time collaborations, multi-platinum rapper Mase makes an appearance on "Top of the World," which seems custom made for jeep jockeys.
Although sprinkled with other contributors, most of the album was produced by Rodney Jerkins. With a focus tRolling Stone (7/9-23/98, p.136) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...Brandy exudes more pizazz than the Hanson brothers combined and bursts with enough naive charm to make Jewel look like a jaded sailor. Her second album bubbles with that same effervescence..."
Entertainment Weekly (6/12/98, p.77) - "...Although her soft, smoky voice is better suited to a croon, there are moments in the gospel-fired `One Voice' that find her effortlessly raising the roof. But she'd rather play it low-key and go with the groove..." - Rating: B
The Source (7/98, p.168) - "...Brandy's R&B/Pop sound ignites a fire within that expresses every female on the brink of womanhood's need to be heard..."