| 23am | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 1, 1997(EU) December 16, 1997(US) | |||
| Recorded | Plus XXX Studios, Paris | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 60:56 | |||
| Label | Deconstruction Arista | |||
| Producer | Robert Miles | |||
| Robert Miles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Music Week | [2] |
| Q | [3] |
| Sputnikmusic | 3.2/5 [4] |
23am is the second studio album by composer Robert Miles, released in late 1997 via Deconstruction and Arista labels.
The composition of 23am began from the Dreamland tour, during which Miles collected audio samples from virtually every city visited. [5] Aside from being based on his experiences of these travels (in the liner notes Miles emphasizes the influence seeing in person so many problems that society has brought onto itself had), [6] Miles has also said that the album reflects the human life cycle from birth to death. [7]
23am also contains four vocal songs, a ratio of vocals to instrumentals that is almost equal to that of Dreamland. They seem to have been less an afterthought for this album, though, and were written in Italian and then translated into English. Two tracks on the album, including its first single "Freedom", feature vocals by disco icon Kathy Sledge of the chart-topping group Sister Sledge. [8]
The structures and instrumental arrangements on 23am are more complex than those on the earlier Dreamland , involving real instruments such as the saxophone and trumpet as an addition to the synthesizers. The music is also much less beat-driven; the main sections of a number of the vocal-based songs are structured like pop songs, while the segueing interludes between songs are generally structureless, with no beats at all. Ultimately it can be said that 23am is more artistic and less dance-oriented than its predecessor, Dreamland. At the same time, however, 23am was less successful than Dreamland.
All tracks are written by Roberto Concina (Robert Miles), except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Introducing" | 3:25 | |
| 2. | "A New Flower" (vocals: Barbara Prunas; Robert Miles) | 5:58 | |
| 3. | "Everyday Life" (vocals: Nancy Danino) | Roberto Concina; Frank Musker | 10:29 |
| 4. | "Freedom" (vocals: Kathy Sledge) | Concina; Musker | 5:51 |
| 5. | "Textures" | 3:14 | |
| 6. | "Enjoy" (vocals: Kathy Sledge) | Concina; Musker | 5:55 |
| 7. | "Flying Away" | 4:59 | |
| 8. | "Heatwave" | 5:56 | |
| 9. | "Maresias" | 5:48 | |
| 10. | "Full Moon" (vocals: Nancy Danino) | Concina; Musker | 6:59 |
| 11. | "Leaving Behind..." | 2:21 |
Impossible Princess is the sixth studio album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue, released on 22 October 1997, by Deconstruction, BMG and Mushroom Records. The singer asserted greater creative control over the project — as a co-producer and composer of the material — compared to her previous work, assisted by Brothers in Rhythm, Manic Street Preachers, David Ball and Rob Dougan.
Roberto Concina, known professionally as Robert Miles, was a Swiss-Italian record producer, composer, musician and DJ. His 1995 composition "Children" sold more than 5 million copies and topped the charts worldwide.
Don Juan's Reckless Daughter is a 1977 double album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Her ninth album, it is unusual for its experimental style, expanding even further on the jazz-influenced sound of Mitchell's previous recordings. Mitchell has stated that, close to completing her contract with Asylum Records, she allowed this album to be looser than anything she had done previously.
Cruel Summer is a 1998 album by Swedish pop group Ace of Base, released as the band's third album in North America on 14 July 1998 and in Japan on 25 August 1998 by Arista Records. Flowers was the group's third album worldwide, but Arista Records decided to release a different version of the album in North America, Japan, and Latin America, retitled Cruel Summer. This version of the album featured the new track "Everytime It Rains" and many new versions of songs that were first featured on Flowers. As executive producer, Clive Davis enlisted collaborators including production team Cutfather & Joe and songwriter Billy Steinberg. While primarily a pop album, Cruel Summer explores the genres of euro disco, Motown, and dance.
"All the Man That I Need" is a song written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore. The song was first recorded as "All the Man I Need" by Linda Clifford for her album I'll Keep on Loving You (1982). In 1990, American singer Whitney Houston had a number-one multiple chart hit with this song, recorded as "All the Man That I Need", from her third album, I'm Your Baby Tonight (1990).
"Some Kind of Bliss" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, for her sixth studio album, Impossible Princess (1997). The song was released as the lead single from the album on 8 September 1997 through BMG, Deconstruction and Mushroom. Minogue co-wrote the track with James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore while Bradfield and Dave Eringa produced it. Backed by guitar and drum instruments, "Some Kind of Bliss" is a Britpop track in which Minogue sings about feeling happy.
"You're Makin' Me High" is the lead single from American singer Toni Braxton's second studio album, Secrets (1996). The mid-tempo song represents a joint collaboration between the Grammy Award-winning producer Babyface and Bryce Wilson. The beat of the song was originally for singer-songwriter Brandy, with Dallas Austin pegged to write a lyric to override; however, Braxton had Babyface write lyrics for the song. It was ultimately issued in the United States as a double A-side with "Let It Flow", the airplay hit from the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale.
"Sittin' Up in My Room" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. It was written and produced by Babyface and recorded by Norwood for the soundtrack of the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale, starring Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett. The track was one out of five singles the album spawned and reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Norwood's most successful single on that particular chart up to that point. It is of note that the characteristic bass intro is a replica of the famous riff performed by bassist Larry Graham, of Sly and the Family Stone, on their hit "Thank You ", and its remix featuring LL Cool J contains a sample of "Haven't You Heard" by Patrice Rushen.
"Last Night" is a song by American R&B group Az Yet, produced by Babyface and Mervyn Warren, and released as the first single from the group's debut album, Az Yet (1996). The song became the group's first hit, reaching number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, and number four on the Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 chart. Additionally, it reached number two in Australia, number six in New Zealand, and number eight in the Netherlands. The song was also included on The Nutty Professor soundtrack.
"Children" is an instrumental composition by Italian composer Robert Miles. It was first released in Italy in January 1995 as part of the EP Soundtracks on Joe Vannelli's DBX label, but it did not chart. Vannelli brought the track to a nightclub in Miami where it was heard by Simon Berry of Platipus Records. Berry worked with Vannelli and James Barton to release the composition in November 1995 as the lead single from Miles's debut album, Dreamland (1996). "Children" was certified gold and platinum in several countries and reached number one in more than 12 countries; it was Europe's most successful single of 1996.
"One and One" is a song written by Billy Steinberg, Rick Nowels and Marie-Claire D'Ubaldo. The song was performed by Edyta Górniak. It was covered by Robert Miles in 1996.
"Why Does It Hurt So Bad" is a song recorded by American singer and actress Whitney Houston for the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale. It was released on July 22, 1996, by Arista Records as the seventh and final single from the accompanying soundtrack. The song was written and produced solely by Babyface. Musically, it is an R&B ballad, and the lyrics chronicle a lovelorn lament.
"My Heart Is Calling" is a song recorded by the American recording artist Whitney Houston for the 1996 film The Preacher's Wife. It was released on June 10, 1997, as the third and final single by Arista Records from the accompanying soundtrack. The song was written and produced solely by Babyface. Musically, the song is an R&B ballad, with gospel music and funk influences, and the lyrics speak about meeting someone special. "My Heart Is Calling" received mainly positive reviews from music critics, who commended Houston's soulful performance. It peaked at number 77 on the United States Billboard Hot 100, and number 35 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
"Fable" is a song by Italian musician Robert Miles, released in May 1996 as the second single from his debut album, Dreamland (1996). The song features uncredited vocals from Fiorella Quinn. Like "Children", the single received universal acclaim. It was a hit in several countries, reaching number one in Italy and entering the top 10 in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and UK. In 1997, the song charted on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, on which it peaked at number one for one week.
"Angel" is a soul ballad recorded by American singer Aretha Franklin. The song was co-written by Aretha's sister, Carolyn, and Sonny Sanders. Aretha co-produced the song with Quincy Jones and it originally appeared on Aretha's 1973 album Hey Now Hey . It was released as a single in June 1973 and went on to top the US R&B Singles chart for two weeks while reaching number twenty on the Pop chart. The single sold over 900,000 copies.
"A Rose Is Still a Rose" is a song recorded by American singer Aretha Franklin. It was written and produced by singer Lauryn Hill for Franklin's album of the same name (1998). The song focused on a motherly figure giving advice to a younger woman who keeps getting into bad relationships. Throughout "A Rose Is Still a Rose", Franklin advises that in spite of everything and despite the woman's "scorned roses and thorn crowns," the woman is "still a rose". Elements of the song "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians were sung throughout the song by Hill herself.
"Freedom" is a song by Swiss-Italian musician Robert Miles featuring American singer-songwriter Kathy Sledge, known from the group Sister Sledge. The song was released on 10 November 1997 via Deconstruction label as the lead single from Miles' second album, 23am (1997). It peaked at number two in Italy and was a top 10 hit also in Spain, while reaching the top 20 in Finland, Scotland and the UK.
"Here We Go Again" is a song by American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin. It was written by Trina Broussard, Jermaine Dupri and Trey Lorenz for Franklin's thirty-fourth studio album, A Rose Is Still a Rose (1998), while production was helmed by Dupri and Manuel Seal. The song is built around replayed portions of "The Glow of Love" (1980) by Italian-American post-disco group Change. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Mauro Malavasi, David Romani and Wayne K. Garfield are also credited as songwriters. The song was the second single released from A Rose Is Still a Rose in June 1998 and reached number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100, also becoming Franklin's fifth number one on the US Dance Club Songs.
"Too Far" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, taken from her sixth studio album Impossible Princess (1997). It was written and produced by Minogue, with additional production credits to Brothers in Rhythm. The song is a drum and bass song where Minogue describes her anger and frustration through its lyrics. It contains elements of club music and breakbeat music, and employs spoken word techniques.
"The Child (Inside)" is a song by South African trio Qkumba Zoo, released in August 1995 as their first single from the international debut album, Wake Up and Dream (1996). The song shot straight to the top of the charts in South Africa, earning them the Best New Band award at the 1996 South African Music Awards. Same year, it was a hit in the US, reaching number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as peaking at number-one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. The trio was the first South African group to top the Hot 100 in over 17 years. The track also peaked at number 34 on the Radio & Records contemporary hit radio chart on October 18, 1996. A music video was also produced to promote the single.
