Faith Evans Keep The Faith CD

The title of Faith Evans's sophomore album, KEEP THE FAITH, seems appropriate. In the years immediately following the release of her successful debut, her husband, the Notorious B.I.G., was the victim of a much-publicized murder. Yet Evans persevered by making a record that built on the promise of her first album and refined some of its raw edges.

Assured, elegant, and possessed of a powerful, flexible voice, Evans lays it down with a mix of ballads, mid-tempo grooves, and uptempo dance tracks. The latter are the highlights of KEEP THE FAITH, and stand-outs "Love Like This" (with its irresistible Chic sample) and the slinky funk track "All Night Long" both shot straight up the charts. Fans looking for more of the like might not take to the emphasis on balladry, but Evans's voice will endear tunes like the lovely "My First Love" to nearly any listener. KEEP THE FAITH eventually went platinum, further solidifying Evans's standing as hip-hop and R&B royalty.

Engineers include: Joe Perrera, Tom Russo, "Prince Charles" Alexander.

Personnel: Faith Evans (vocals, background vocals); Michael Hart Thompson , Michael Thompson (guitar); Mike Mason (strings, piano); Greg Phillinganes (piano); Babyface (keyboards, drum programming, background vocals); Damon Thomas (keyboards, drum programming); Ricky Lawson (drums); Kelly Price, Tavia Ivey, Kenya Ivey (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: E'lyk; Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander ; Jon Gass; Axel Niehaus; Tony Maserati; Tony Black.

Recording information: Brandon's Way Recording Studios, L.A., CA; Daddy's House Recording Studios, New York, NY; Hit Factory, New York, NY; Larrabee West Studios, L.A., CA; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY.

Editor: Michael Patterson .

Photographer: Albert Watson.

Arrangers: 112; Faith Evans; Lorne Rawls; DJ Rodgers; Kelly Price; Axel Niehaus.

Personnel includes: Faith Evans, 112 (vocals); Steven "Stevie J." Jordan (various instruments); Michael Thompson (guitar); Greg Phillinganes (piano); Babyface (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Damon Thomas (keyboards, programming); Nathan East (bass); Ricky Lawson (drums); Kelly Price, Kenya Ivey, Tavia Ivey (background vocals).

Producers include: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Babyface, Steven "Stevie J." Jordan, J-Dub, Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence.

Internet

Entertainment Weekly (10/30/98, p.114) - "...KEEP THE FAITH remains commercial R&B, all bedroom strings and Babyface-style acoustic accents. what sets Evans apart is that she, like her soul sista Mary J. Blige, investigates her pain in a way that contradicts the lush sonics..." - Rating: A-
Q (12/00, p.143) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Proves that in voice and soul, she's every inch Mary J. Blige's equal..."
Urban Latino (2/99, p.80) - 4 out of 4 - "...bonafide, homegrown R&B sounds....steeped in the Blues and Gospel traditions....Evans [is] a true Soul singer....a great pick for you lovers..."