Brandy Afrodisiac CD

Personal turmoil has always proved to be a creative elixir for musicians, so it's not surprising that Brandy Norwood would dip into that well for inspiration on her fourth album, AFRODISIAC. In addition to her transformation from a teenage pop/TV star to an international music sensation, the 25-year-old vocalist followed motherhood with a divorce and also stepped away from longtime production partner Rodney Jerkins. In the process, Brandy cast herself in a much sexier and more mature light, which is reflected throughout these 15 songs.

Brandy's wisest moves were enlisting hip-hop guru Timbaland behind the boards and bringing Kanye West along for the ride as well. The Timbaland-produced songs, particularly the snappy title cut (with its intricately layered vocal tracks) and the slow-rolling funk of "Focus," gurgle with the Virginia-based maestro's trademark staccato beats and rich production style. Chicago native West is equally impressive, dueting with Brandy amid sweet, Gamble & Huff-flavored string arrangements in the autobiographical "Talk about Our Love." With its engaging and expressive tracks, AFRODISIAC proves to be another victory for the old adage about great art emerging from emotional pain.

Recording information: Amerycan Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Conjunction Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Corner Store Studio, Los Angeles, CA; Criteria Hit Factory, Miami, FL; Larrabbe North, Los Angeles, CA; Paramont Recording Studio, Los Angeles, CA; Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA; Sony Music, NY; The Dungeon, Atlanta, GA; The Studio, Philelphia, PA.

Photographer: Rob Ericson.

Personnel: Brandy (vocals); Brandy; Kanye West, T.I. (vocals, rap vocals); Timbaland (vocals); Baby Dubb (various instruments, programming); Glenn S. Jeffrey, Eric Walls, Glenn S. Jeffrey, Mike Hartnett (guitar); Miri Ben-Ari (violin); Dave Robbins , Parris Bowens, Ervin A. Pope, Ervin Pope (keyboards); Thaddeus T. Tribbett (bass guitar); George "Spanky" McCurdy (percussion); Organized Noize (programming, drum programming).

Audio Mixers: Timbaland; Manny Marroquin; Dave Lopez; Jimmy Douglass; Peter Mokran.

Rolling Stone (p.116) - 4 stars out of 5 - "Brandy lets her cool voice stream through jams that, as one hot track is titled, 'Focus'."
Rolling Stone (p.141) - Included in Rolling Stone's Top 50 Records Of 2004 - "[N]ot only her best but also the year's outstanding R&B disc."
Entertainment Weekly (pp.85-6) - "AFRODISIAC, Brandy's meatiest album to date, also sports a few superior dance numbers..." - Grade: A-
Vibe (pp.139-40) - 3 1/2 out of 5 - "[M]ature-layered music....Timbaland crafts a befitting backdrop for Ms. Norwood to reintroduce herself as a full-grown woman....It's here crazy, sexy, cool revival that's the true bliss of this fourth coming."