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."
AWESOME KEEP THEM COMING Submitted by narod.1 (Meriden. CT , USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Some improvements, but still can do a little better. There are some tracks that I like, some improvements, but still average.... She should had work with Missy instead of Timberlake. Submitted by Kimberly (New York City) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
AWESOME!!!! This album was really good.I can pretty much listen to it withut skipping a track. And I also liked Full Moon too but she kind of fell off when she did Human. I hope she comes back because Brandy is te bomb!! Submitted by Debra Petard (Miami, FL, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Brandy Brandy Brandy??? I have all Brandy's CDs and Monica's and Aaliyah's
/Quit saying Brandy is Aaliyah cuz shes not dont compear the 3 90's RnB teens there all diff/ Anyway like I was saying I have them all, and i like all Brandy's CDs but not Full Moon and for some reason Full Moon did better then this one. I love this CD what gives, I wish Brandy would make another CD soon because there gonna start filming an Aaliyah movie in Aug. 2008 and Monica's new CD comes out sometime in Aug. 2008 to. I wish Brandy the best after what happend last year and she can make a great come back to just like Mariah Submitted by Jesse Latimer ("Springfield, CT, USA") Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
best r & b albums from top to bottom Timberland found a new muse and they work extremely well together. Her smooth voice over his funky beats. One of my favorite r&b albums of all time. Submitted by dscottalpha (kansas city) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
AWESOME
Some improvements, but still can do a little better.
Brandy Brandy Brandy???
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