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Hoping to build on the momentum gained by her Mercury Music Prize-nominated breakthrough album, Who I Am, Beverley Knight's fourth effort abandons her soul credentials and goes straight for the commercial pop jugular. Working with an array of collaborators including Coldplay's Chris Martin and Robbie Williams' ex-songwriting partner Guy Chambers, Affirmation clearly has one eye on dominating the airwaves as much as her biggest hit, "Shoulda Woulda Coulda," did two years previously. Indeed, lead single "Come as You Are" should have no problems finding its way onto radio playlists, its swirling keyboards, psychedelic guitars, and almighty chorus creating a Lenny Kravitz-meets-Pink pop/rock stomper. The inclusion of a cover, "Keep This Fire Burning," originally a hit for Robyn in her native Sweden, also signifies Knight's intentions -- its exuberant catchy pop is a million miles away from her urban roots but much more likely to score her a number one hit. Best of all is the Chris Martin-penned "The First Time," which shows that his dalliance with R&B on Jamelia's "See It in a Boy's Eyes" was no fluke. A gorgeous, gospel-inspired ballad, it's far removed from the epic stadium rock his day job is usually associated with. Lyrically, Knight is as daring as ever. "No One Ever Loves in Vain" is a subtle piano-driven confessional about the loss of a friend, while the melancholic "Salvador" addresses AIDS, showing that Knight's commercial sensibilities haven't hampered her ability to tackle big issues. Inevitably, with the attempt to cover several bases, Affirmation may alienate fans of her more soulful first two records. The over-produced likes of "Tea and Sympathy" and "Till I See Ya" dilute Knight's impassioned vocals, while "Supasonic" is perhaps one Prince homage too far. But overall, there are enough gems on here to suggest that Affirmation may achieve the commercial success it so obviously craves.
© Jon O'Brien /TiVo
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Ian Thomas, Drums - Guy Chambers, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Guitar, Hammond Organ, Moog, Clavinet, Wurlitzer - Richard Flack, Producer, Mixer, Engineer - Frank Ricotti, Percussion - Phil Spalding, Guitar, Bass - Dominic Glover, Trumpet - Beverley Knight, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist - Paul Stanborough, Engineer - Nichol Thompson, Trombone - Andy Rossi, Saxophone - Julian Burdock, Guitar - Ashley Kingsley, Wurlitzer
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Chris Braide, Composer, Producer, All Instruments, Performed by - Knight, Composer - Mark 'Tufty' Evans, Mixer, Engineer - Beverley Knight, Vocals, MainArtist
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Chris Braide, Arranger - Jimmy Hogarth, Producer, Mixer, Guitar, Percussion, Programmer - Chris Martin, Composer - Sam Dixon, Bass Guitar, Bass - Jeremy Stacey, Drums - Billie Godfrey, Vocals - Bryan Chambers, Vocals - Beverley Knight, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist - Cameron Craig, Engineer - Martin Slattery, Horn, Piano
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Peter-John Vettese, Composer, Producer, Drums, Guitar, Programmer - Peter John Vettese, Producer, Drums, Guitar, Programmer - felix Howard, Composer - Mark 'Tufty' Evans, Mixer, Engineer, Programmer - Beverley Knight, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Remee, Composer - Ulf Lindström, Composer - Johan Ekhé, Composer - Ghost, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recorder, All Instruments, Performed by - Stockholm Session Strings, Strings - Beverley Knight, Vocals, MainArtist - Per Ekdahl, Strings - Robin Carlsson, Composer - DJ Ghost, Producer
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Gavyn Wright, Orchestra Leader - London Session Orchestra, Orchestra - Steve Price, Engineer - Guy Chambers, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Hammond Organ, Piano, Wurlitzer - Richard Flack, Producer, Mixer, Engineer - Frank Ricotti, Percussion - Phil Spalding, Bass Guitar, Bass - The London Session Orchestra, Orchestra - Jeremy Stacey, Drums, Engineer - Beverley Knight, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist - Paul Stanborough, Engineer - Tom Jenkins, Engineer
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Gavyn Wright, Conductor - London Session Orchestra, Orchestra - Ian Thomas, Drums - Steve Price, Engineer - Guy Chambers, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Guitar, Keyboards, Bass - Richard Flack, Producer, Mixer, Drums, Engineer, Programmer, Recorder - The London Session Orchestra, Orchestra - Beverley Knight, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist - Paul Stanborough, Guitar, Protools
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Jimmy Hogarth, Composer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Programmer, Bass - Beverley Knight, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Chris Braide, Composer, Producer, Vocals, All Instruments, Performed by - Dillon Gallagher, Engineer - Beverley Knight, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist - James Loughrey, Mixer
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Peter-John Vettese, Composer, Producer, Drums, Guitar, Programmer - Peter John Vettese, Producer, Drums, Guitar, Programmer - felix Howard, Composer - Mark 'Tufty' Evans, Mixer, Engineer, Programmer - Beverley Knight, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Guy Chambers, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Guitar, Keyboards, Bass - Richard Flack, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Programmer, Recorder - Beverley Knight, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist - Paul Stanborough, Protools
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Peter-John Vettese, Composer, Producer, Drums, Guitar, Programmer - Peter John Vettese, Producer, Drums, Guitar, Programmer - Michelle Escoffery, Composer, Vocals - Mark 'Tufty' Evans, Mixer, Engineer, Programmer - Beverley Knight, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Al DiMeola, Solo Guitar - Al Di Meola, Guitar - Mark 'Tufty' Evans, Mixer - Beverley Knight, Composer, Keyboards, Programmer, Vocals, MainArtist - Munro Craig, Composer - DJ Munro, Producer - Alessandro Grantana, Engineer - Sebastian Mauro, Engineer - David Nicholson, Composer, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Programmer
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Mike 'Spike' Drake, Mixer - Non Music Work, Composer - Beverley Knight, Composer, Producer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Ben Wood, Mixer, Engineer, Programmer - Paul Reid, Guitar - Ashley Kingsley, Keyboards - DJ Munro, Producer
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Album review
Hoping to build on the momentum gained by her Mercury Music Prize-nominated breakthrough album, Who I Am, Beverley Knight's fourth effort abandons her soul credentials and goes straight for the commercial pop jugular. Working with an array of collaborators including Coldplay's Chris Martin and Robbie Williams' ex-songwriting partner Guy Chambers, Affirmation clearly has one eye on dominating the airwaves as much as her biggest hit, "Shoulda Woulda Coulda," did two years previously. Indeed, lead single "Come as You Are" should have no problems finding its way onto radio playlists, its swirling keyboards, psychedelic guitars, and almighty chorus creating a Lenny Kravitz-meets-Pink pop/rock stomper. The inclusion of a cover, "Keep This Fire Burning," originally a hit for Robyn in her native Sweden, also signifies Knight's intentions -- its exuberant catchy pop is a million miles away from her urban roots but much more likely to score her a number one hit. Best of all is the Chris Martin-penned "The First Time," which shows that his dalliance with R&B on Jamelia's "See It in a Boy's Eyes" was no fluke. A gorgeous, gospel-inspired ballad, it's far removed from the epic stadium rock his day job is usually associated with. Lyrically, Knight is as daring as ever. "No One Ever Loves in Vain" is a subtle piano-driven confessional about the loss of a friend, while the melancholic "Salvador" addresses AIDS, showing that Knight's commercial sensibilities haven't hampered her ability to tackle big issues. Inevitably, with the attempt to cover several bases, Affirmation may alienate fans of her more soulful first two records. The over-produced likes of "Tea and Sympathy" and "Till I See Ya" dilute Knight's impassioned vocals, while "Supasonic" is perhaps one Prince homage too far. But overall, there are enough gems on here to suggest that Affirmation may achieve the commercial success it so obviously craves.
© Jon O'Brien /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
- Total length: 00:59:23
- Main artists: Beverley Knight
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Parlophone UK
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
© 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
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