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After his stint with the Deele in the late '70s, Babyface (along with co-conspirator L.A. Reid) almost single-handedly set the standard of commercial adult contemporary R&B since the early '80s, when he rose to prominence as an in-demand songwriter and producer. He's been responsible for an armada of hits rivaled by only a few other producer/songwriters in modern commercial chart history, writing hits for Madonna, Boyz II Men, Eric Clapton, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and a legion of other artists. However, within that span of time his solo efforts have been sorely overlooked by mainstream audiences, being primarily accepted only by die-hard R&B fans. This makes the Essential Babyface release all the more important, as it's a survey of just his works and not productions of other artists. It's a comprehensive look at his career, from the quiet storm ballads of his early years like "Whip Appeal" to the up-tempo urban radio hits like "How Come, How Long" (featuring guest vocals by Stevie Wonder), and leaves no stone unturned in between. Unlike his 2000 collection, Essential Babyface doesn't rely so much on his productions for other artists, which makes it instantly appealing to die-hard fans and gives casual listeners an appreciation of the depths of Babyface's talent. The only exception comes from his MTV Unplugged medley, featuring two of his all-time biggest productions: the Boyz II Men anthems "I'll Make Love to You" and "End of the Road." The Essential Babyface is easily the strongest representation to date of Babyface as an artist, and not just a producer/songwriter.
© Rob Theakston /TiVo
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John Robinson, Drum Programmer - Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Background Vocal - Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Babyface, Keyboards - Babyface, Piano - Babyface, Performer - Michael Thompson, Guitar - Nathan East, Bass - Sheila E., Percussion
(P) 1996 Sony Music Entertainment
KIMM JAMES, 2nd Engineer - John Frye, 2nd Engineer - Milton Chan, 2nd Engineer - Kevin Becks, 2nd Engineer - Steve Warner, 2nd Engineer - Lori Fumar, 2nd Engineer - Ray Silva, 2nd Engineer - II Ramon Hervey, Executive Producer - Thomas Russo, 2nd Engineer - Daryl Simmons, Producer - Steve Hall, Mastering Engineer - Various, Producer - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Eduardo Correa, 2nd Engineer - BARNEY PERKINS, Mixing Engineer - L.A. Reid, Drum Programmer - Kayo, Bass - Jason Shablik, 2nd Engineer - Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Keyboards - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Performer - Brad Gliderman, Engineer - Herb Powers, Mastering Engineer - Kenneth Edmonds, Executive Producer - Ivy Skoff, Coordinator
(P) 1993 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Randy Walker, Programmer - Brad Gilderman, Engineer - Eddy Schreyer, Mastering Engineer - Doug Michael, Mixing Engineer - Michael Thompson, Guitar - Paul Boutin, 2nd Engineer - Greg Phillinganes, Piano - Adam Kagen, Engineer - II Ramon Hervey, Executive Producer - Mick Guzauski, Mixing Engineer - Shelia E., Performer - Steve Hall, Mastering Engineer - Kenny G, Performer - Kenny G, Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Randy "Stretch" Walker, Programmer - Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Background Vocal - Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Keyboards - Babyface, Performer - Babyface, Drum Programmer - Mariah Carey, Background Vocal - Mariah Carey, Performer - Nathan East, Bass - Thom Russo, Engineer - Kenneth Edmonds, Executive Producer - Mike Scott, Engineer - Jon Gass, Mixing Engineer - Bassy Bob Brockman, Engineer - Sheila E., Percussion - Kyle Bess, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1996 Sony Music Entertainment
Randy Walker, Programmer - Brad Gilderman, Engineer - Tim Hoogenakker, 2nd Engineer - Eddy Schreyer, Mastering Engineer - Michael Thompson, Guitar - Paul Boutin, 2nd Engineer - Tim Lauber, 2nd Engineer - Adam Kagen, Engineer - Rafa Sardina, 2nd Engineer - John Robinson, Drums - Greg Collins, 2nd Engineer - Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Babyface, Keyboards - Babyface, Performer - Peter Doell, 2nd Engineer - Nathan East, Bass - Thom Russo, Engineer - John Hurlbut, 2nd Engineer - De De O'Neal, Background Vocal - Marc Nelson, Background Vocal - Shanice Wilson, Background Vocal - Jon Gass, Mixing Engineer - Bassy Bob Brockman, Engineer - Eric Clapton, Guitar - Sheila E., Percussion - Kyle Bess, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1996 Sony Music Entertainment
Daryl Simmons, Producer - L.A. Reid, Producer - L.A. Reid, Drum Programmer - Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Performer - Babyface, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Babyface, Producer
(P) 1993 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
KIMM JAMES, 2nd Engineer - John Frye, 2nd Engineer - Milton Chan, 2nd Engineer - Kevin Becks, 2nd Engineer - Steve Warner, 2nd Engineer - Lori Fumar, 2nd Engineer - Larry Johnson, Saxophone - Ray Silva, 2nd Engineer - Thomas Russo, 2nd Engineer - Thomas Russo, Mixing Engineer - Daryl Simmons, Composer - Daryl Simmons, Producer - Daryl Simmons, Lyricist - Steve Hall, Mastering Engineer - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Eduardo Correa, 2nd Engineer - L.A. Reid, Producer - L.A. Reid, Drums - Jason Shablik, 2nd Engineer - Babyface, Vocal - Babyface, Background Vocal - Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Drums - Babyface, Keyboards - Babyface, Performer - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Composer - Brad Gliderman, Engineer - Herb Powers, Mastering Engineer - Ivy Skoff, Coordinator
(P) 1993 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Performer - Babyface, Drum Programmer - Steve Hall, Mastering Engineer - Antonio "L.A." Reid, Composer - Antonio "L.A." Reid, Lyricist - De' Rock, Percussion - After 7, Background Vocal - Jon Gass, Recording Engineer - Jon Gass, Mixing Engineer - Troop, Background Vocal - Kayo, Acoustic Bass - L.A. Reid, Producer - L.A. Reid, Percussion - L.A. Reid, Drums - L.A. Reid, Keyboards - Rick Caughran, 2nd Engineer - Antonio Reid, Jr., Executive Producer - DAVE RIDEAU, Engineer - Daryl Simmons, Composer - Daryl Simmons, Lyricist - Dan Sullivan, 2nd Engineer - Kenneth B. Edmonds, Executive Producer
(P) 1989 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Performer - Babyface, Drum Programmer - II Ramon Hervey, Executive Producer - Steve Hall, Mastering Engineer - De' Rock, Percussion - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - After 7, Background Vocal - Jon Gass, Recording Engineer - Jon Gass, Mixing Engineer - Troop, Background Vocal - Kayo, Acoustic Bass - L.A. Reid, Producer - L.A. Reid, Percussion - L.A. Reid, Drums - L.A. Reid, Keyboards - Rick Caughran, 2nd Engineer - Antonio Reid, Jr., Executive Producer - DAVE RIDEAU, Engineer - Dan Sullivan, 2nd Engineer - Kenneth B. Edmonds, Executive Producer - Perri Reid, Composer - Perri Reid, Lyricist
(P) 1989 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Performer - Babyface, Drum Programmer - II Ramon Hervey, Executive Producer - Steve Hall, Mastering Engineer - De' Rock, Percussion - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - After 7, Background Vocal - Jon Gass, Recording Engineer - Jon Gass, Mixing Engineer - Troop, Background Vocal - Kayo, Acoustic Bass - L.A. Reid, Producer - L.A. Reid, Percussion - L.A. Reid, Drums - L.A. Reid, Keyboards - Rick Caughran, 2nd Engineer - Antonio Reid, Jr., Executive Producer - DAVE RIDEAU, Engineer - Dan Sullivan, 2nd Engineer - Kenneth B. Edmonds, Executive Producer
(P) 1989 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Thomas Russo, 2nd Engineer - Thomas Russo, Mixing Engineer - Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Keyboards - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Performer - Ray Silva, 2nd Engineer - Steve Warner, 2nd Engineer - Jason Shablik, 2nd Engineer - Eduardo Correa, 2nd Engineer - Various, Producer - Brad Gliderman, Engineer - John Frye, 2nd Engineer - Kevin Becks, 2nd Engineer - Milton Chan, 2nd Engineer - Lori Fumar, 2nd Engineer - L.A. Reid, Drums - Ivy Skoff, Coordinator - KIMM JAMES, 2nd Engineer - Herb Powers, Mastering Engineer - Daryl Simmons, Producer
(P) 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Randy Walker, Programmer - Bill Ross, Conductor - Bill Ross, Arranger - Brad Gilderman, Engineer - Tim Hoogenakker, 2nd Engineer - Eddy Schreyer, Mastering Engineer - Michael Thompson, Guitar - Paul Boutin, 2nd Engineer - Tim Lauber, 2nd Engineer - Adam Kagen, Engineer - Rafa Sardina, 2nd Engineer - Shelia E., Percussion - John Robinson, Drums - Bassy Bob Broekmann, Engineer - Greg Collins, 2nd Engineer - Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Performer - Peter Doell, 2nd Engineer - Nathan East, Bass - Thom Russo, Engineer - Jon Gass, Mixing Engineer - Kyle Bess, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1996 Sony Music Entertainment
Randy Walker, Programmer - Brad Gilderman, Engineer - Tim Hoogenakker, 2nd Engineer - Eddy Schreyer, Mastering Engineer - Michael Thompson, Guitar - Bassy Bob Brackmann, Engineer - Babyface Feat. Stevie Wonder, Performer - Paul Boutin, 2nd Engineer - Greg Phillinganes, Piano - Tim Lauber, 2nd Engineer - II Ramon Hervey, Executive Producer - Stevie Wonder, Composer - Stevie Wonder, Lyricist - Stevie Wonder, Background Vocal - Stevie Wonder, Harmonica - Rafa Sardina, 2nd Engineer - Kevon Edmonds, Background Vocal - Shelia E., Percussion - Steve Hall, Mastering Engineer - John Robinson, Drums - Greg Collins, 2nd Engineer - Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Background Vocal - Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Babyface, Keyboards - Peter Doell, 2nd Engineer - Nathan East, Bass - Thom Russo, Engineer - John Hurlbut, 2nd Engineer - Marc Nelson, Background Vocal - Shanice Wilson, Background Vocal - Kenneth Edmonds, Executive Producer - Jon Gass, Mixing Engineer - Kyle Bess, Mixing Engineer
(P) 1996 Sony Music Entertainment
Keith Andes, Arranger - Jeffrey Daniels, Background Vocal - Gerald Albright, Tenor Saxophone - Bill Meyers, Arranger - Babyface featuring LL Cool J, Howard Hewett, Jody Watley & Jeffrey Daniels, Performer - Reggie Young, Trombone - Oscar Brachear, Trumpet - Bryce Wilson, Drum Programmer - II Ramon Hervey, Executive Producer - LL Cool J, Co-Producer - Howard Hewett, Background Vocal - Baby Face, Guitar - Jody Watley, Background Vocal - H. Hewett, Composer - H. Hewett, Lyricist - Babyface, Producer - Babyface, Keyboards - Babyface, Background Vocal - Marc Nelson, Background Vocal - Shanice Wilson, Background Vocal - Kenneth Edmonds, Executive Producer - Ray Brown, Trumpet - D. Meyers, Composer - D. Meyers, Lyricist
(P) 1996 Sony Music Entertainment
Melvin Edmonds, Vocal - Ricky Lawson, Drums - Nate East, Bass - Michael Thompson, Guitar - Wayne Linsey, Keyboards - Tim Carmon, Keyboards - Lynne Linsey, Vocal - Jac Benson, Co-Producer - Alex Coletti, Producer - David Hewitt, Engineer - Kevon Edmonds, Vocal - Babyface, Composer - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Performer - Benny Medina, Executive Producer - Beverly Crowder, Vocal - Reggie Griffin, Guitar - Reggie Griffin, Keyboards - Reggie Griffin, Saxophone - Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Producer - Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Executive Producer - Marc Nelson, Vocal - Shanice Wilson, Vocal - Milton Lage, Director - Bo Watson, Keyboards - Bo Watson, Director - Jon Gass, Recording Engineer - Sheila E., Percussion
(P) 1997 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Melvin Edmonds, Vocal - Ricky Lawson, Drums - Nate East, Bass - Michael Thompson, Guitar - Antonio "L.A." Reid, Composer - Antonio "L.A." Reid, Lyricist - Wayne Linsey, Keyboards - Tim Carmon, Keyboards - Lynne Linsey, Vocal - Jac Benson, Co-Producer - Alex Coletti, Producer - David Hewitt, Engineer - Kevon Edmonds, Vocal - Babyface, Lyricist - Babyface, Performer - Babyface, Composer - Benny Medina, Executive Producer - Beverly Crowder, Vocal - Reggie Griffin, Guitar - Reggie Griffin, Keyboards - Reggie Griffin, Saxophone - Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Producer - Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Executive Producer - D. Simmons, Composer - D. Simmons, Lyricist - Marc Nelson, Vocal - Shanice Wilson, Vocal - Milton Lage, Director - Bo Watson, Keyboards - Bo Watson, Director - Jon Gass, Recording Engineer - Sheila E., Percussion
(P) 1997 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Album review
After his stint with the Deele in the late '70s, Babyface (along with co-conspirator L.A. Reid) almost single-handedly set the standard of commercial adult contemporary R&B since the early '80s, when he rose to prominence as an in-demand songwriter and producer. He's been responsible for an armada of hits rivaled by only a few other producer/songwriters in modern commercial chart history, writing hits for Madonna, Boyz II Men, Eric Clapton, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and a legion of other artists. However, within that span of time his solo efforts have been sorely overlooked by mainstream audiences, being primarily accepted only by die-hard R&B fans. This makes the Essential Babyface release all the more important, as it's a survey of just his works and not productions of other artists. It's a comprehensive look at his career, from the quiet storm ballads of his early years like "Whip Appeal" to the up-tempo urban radio hits like "How Come, How Long" (featuring guest vocals by Stevie Wonder), and leaves no stone unturned in between. Unlike his 2000 collection, Essential Babyface doesn't rely so much on his productions for other artists, which makes it instantly appealing to die-hard fans and gives casual listeners an appreciation of the depths of Babyface's talent. The only exception comes from his MTV Unplugged medley, featuring two of his all-time biggest productions: the Boyz II Men anthems "I'll Make Love to You" and "End of the Road." The Essential Babyface is easily the strongest representation to date of Babyface as an artist, and not just a producer/songwriter.
© Rob Theakston /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 01:06:30
- Main artists: Babyface
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Epic
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B R&B
(P) 1989, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2003 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
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