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This follow-up to the platinum-selling debut IT'S ABOUT TIME doesn't stray too far from SWV's R&B-meets-pop appeal, but experience and maturity add depth to a second album that a lot of people thought would never come out. This really does sound like a NEW BEGINNING. From start to finish, the focus is on love, as the titles make quite clear: "Where Is The Love," "Love Is So Amazin'," "You Are My Love," "I'm So In Love"). But the production is diverse, drawing fine lines from one song to the next. And while Coko's lead vocals dominated the debut album, here she takes a backseat to bandmates Taj and Lelee on "New Beginning (Interlude)," "It's All About U" and "Don't Waste Your Time," giving the trio a richer, fuller sound this time around.
Additional personnel includes: Erick Sermon, Ishmael "Ish Butter/Fly" Butler (rap vocals); Herb Middleton, Chucky Thompson (various instruments); Bernard Grobeman, Angelo Quaglia, James T. Smith (guitar); Anthony "Reezmo" Burroughs, Joel Campbell (keyboards, Fender Rhodes); Allen "Allstar" Gordon, Jr. (keyboards, bass); Brian Alexander Morgan (keyboards, drums, percussion); Daryl Simmons, Genard "Getn Payd" Parker (keyboards, drum programming); Ralph Stacy (synthesizer); Glen Ellis, Dwight Watkins (bass).
Producers include: Herb Middleton, Allen "Allstar" Gordon, Jr., Erick Sermon, Brian Alexander Morgan, Daryl Simmons.
Engineers include: Mark Partis, Angelo Qualgia, Andrew Blakelock.
Personnel: Leanne Lyons, Cheryl Gamble (vocals, background vocals); Erick Sermon, Ishmael Butler (rap vocals); Bernard Grobman (guitar); Anthony Burroughs, Joel Campbell (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); Brian Alexander Morgan (keyboards, drums); Genard Parker (keyboards, drum programming); Ralph Stacy (synthesizer); Daryl Simmons (keyboard programming, drum programming); Tamara Johnson (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Dave Way; Sean Devereaux; Grant Austin; Mark Partis; Andy Blakelock; Ken Schubert; Lane Craven; Larry Funk; Tony Maserati; Brian Alexander Morgan.
Recording information: Battery Recording Studios, NY; B-Section, Laguna Beach, CA; Capitol Records, Hollywood, CA; Cue Studios, Fall Church, VA; D.A.R.P. Studios, Atlanta, GA; Daddy's House Recordings, New York, NY; Head Up Recording Studios, NJ; Hit City Studio, New York, NY; Quad Recording Studio, New York, NY; Sound On Sound Recording Studios, NY; Soundtrack Studios, New York, NY; Unique Recording Studios, New York, NY.
Editors: Angelo Quaglia; Matthias Heilbronn.
Photographer: Michael Lavine.
SWV: Cheryl "Coko" Gamble, Tamara "Taj" Johnson, LeAnne "Lelee" Lyons (vocals).
Entertainment Weekly (4/26/96, p.57) - "...for SWV, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts..." - Rating: B
The Source (7/96, p.94) - "...NEW BEGINNING offers the listener a much more comprehensive sense of this group's creative drive..."
Swv - New Beginning Songs
New Beginning Music Review
Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)    List All 6 Reviews Timeless
I have had this album since it's release and am in the process of uploading it on my i-tunes and loving every moment of listening to these songs. A couple of brilliant ones that were touched by an early Pharrell, but no one can argue that SWV were one of the best and even now, girl groups would be hard pressed to be as good as these! Excellent album for pop and for soul lovers!
Submitted by nat_kai (London, UK)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No It brings me back to the 90's
1st of I like to say that Coko, can sang. I mean she's a real singer. Taj, is a sweetheart and she can sing to. But Lelee will always be my favorite. I love you Lelee. It's hard for me to pick a favorite because i like the whole album. "Fine Time," "Use Your Heart", "You're The One" and "Don't Waste Your Time" would have to be my favorites if i had to pick. I love you Coko, Lelee and Taj.
Submitted by hockn5 (ft.worth,tx)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No New Beginning
I remember this album when I was 9 and bought it when I was 17. This CD shows the girls' maturity and depth in the songs. I loved the song Use Your Heart. The album sold over 2 million copies. The music on this album is R&B laced with pop,jazz,and even hip-hop.
Submitted by davidogletree (Glenwood, IL)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No This Album gets 6 stars from me!
SWV put their heart and soul into this CD and you can tell from the minute you years songs like: "Fine Time", "I'm So In Love", which are my two favorites. Other tracks to listen for: 2,6,9,11,14, and 15. At the time I though there was no way they'd even come close to matching their first album, but they did just that. What a shame one of them (it wasn't KoKo) simply said "I quit" and this group was no more. Without question SWV was the best female group of the 90's. You must purchase this and their first CD to have the true experience. Their third CD, while not a bad effort wasn't done in the same fashion as the first two.
Submitted by Marcusj_j (Aurora IL)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No SWV's 2nd CD
SWv has done an impressive job on this CD and it really shows their potential as vocalists and stars!!
Submitted by davidogletree (Macon, GA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
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