Helpless Romantic

Last updated
Helpless Romantic
Jon B. - Helpless Romantic.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 28, 2008
Length57:15
Label Arsenal
Producer
Jon B chronology
Holiday Wishes: From Me to You
(2006)
Helpless Romantic
(2008)
Comfortable Swagg
(2012)
Singles from Helpless Romantic
  1. "Ooh So Sexy"
    Released: 2008

Helpless Romantic is the sixth studio album by American Jon B. It was released on October 28, 2008, through Arsenal Records, marking his second and final album for the independent record label, following the Christmas album Holiday Wishes: From Me to You in 2006. Helpless Romantic was a concept album that revolved around his recent marriage to his new wife. It was recorded at Vibezelect Studios in Pasadena, California, Jon B.'s personal recording studio/record label.

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]

AllHipHop found that Helpless Romantic "proves that [Jon B.'s] still most definitely got it. While not quite on the level of his breakthrough sophomore offering ( Cool Relax ) or as upbeat and commercially flexible as his 2004's Stronger Everyday , it's still light years ahead of most of the recent competition." He concluded: "It's hard not to love Jon B.'s ability to run with a mid-tempo record, but Helpless Romantic comes slightly undone due to its final eight songs being a little too slow. They're constructed very solidly, but there is such thing as too much of a good thing." [2]

In a negative review, AllMusic editor Thomas Inskeep wrote that Helpless Romantic "only testifies to the fact that he's run stone out of ideas, or anything else remotely interesting to say [...] The production is utterly adult-R&B-cliched throughout (i.e. gently bumping grooves that go nowhere, so as to not offend) [...] This is dull R&B, mediocre at best, and truly bad at worst – and the real worst is that it comes from an artist who should know better; did his tutelage at the feet of Babyface teach him nothing? Apparently not." [1]

Chart performance

Helpless Romantic debuted and peaked at number 109 on the US Billboard 200 chart, while also reaching number 11 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming Jon B.'s highest-charting album since Pleasures U Like (2001). [3] [4]

Track listing

Helpless Romantic track listing [5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ooh So Sexy" (featuring Paul Wall)
4:31
2."It's U"
  • J. Buck
  • Joaquin Bynum
3:33
3."Get What You Want"J. BuckJon B.4:26
4."Helpless Romantic Interlude"
  • J. Buck
  • Danette Buck
Jon B.0:32
5."Helpless Romantic"
  • J. Buck
  • Bynum
Jon B.3:46
6."Paradise in U"J. BuckJon B.5:44
7."Drops of Rain"J. BuckJon B.3:31
8."Need it Badd"J. BuckJon B.3:32
9."On & On"
Ghantous3:56
10."Everybody Here Wants You" Jeff Buckley Jon B.4:44
11."Ride of Our Lives" (featuring Jonesii)
  • J. Buck
  • Denaine Jones
Jon B.5:06
12."Won't You Say Yeah"
  • J. Buck
  • Bynum
  • Jon B.
  • Bynum
3:45
13."Part of U"
  • J. Buck
  • Tim Kobza
  • Jon B.
  • Kobza
3:40
14."In Too Deep"
  • Buck
  • Holliwood
Jon B.6:29
Total length:57:15

Notes

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Chart performance for Helpless Romantic
Chart (2008)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [3] 109
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [4] 11

Release history

Release dates and formats for Helpless Romantic
RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
United StatesOctober 28, 2008Arsenal Records [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Dance with My Father</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Luther Vandross

Dance with My Father is the thirteenth and final studio album by American R&B/soul singer Luther Vandross. It was released by J Records on June 10, 2003 in the United States and served as the follow-up to his self-titled studio album (2001). The album, especially its title track, was dedicated to Vandross's late father and features production credits from Nat Adderley Jr., Shep Crawford, and Marcus Miller as well as guest appearances by singer Beyoncé, R&B trio Next, and rappers Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, and Busta Rhymes.

<i>Dont Be Cruel</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Bobby Brown

Don't Be Cruel is the second studio album by American singer Bobby Brown. It was released in the United States on June 20, 1988, by MCA Records. MCA changed producers for this album and had Brown work with hit-making songwriting and production duo Babyface and L.A. Reid. Brown dedicated the album to his deceased best friend James "Jimbo" Flint who was stabbed to death when Brown was aged 11. Don't Be Cruel incorporates new jack swing, R&B, funk, dance and soul.

<i>Special Occasion</i> (Bobby Valentino album) 2007 studio album by Bobby Valentino

Special Occasion is the second studio album by American R&B singer Bobby V. It was released by Disturbing tha Peace and Def Jam Recordings on May 8, 2007, in the United States. The singer co-wrote over three quarters of the album, which also features songwriting and production from Tim & Bob, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Timbaland, Sean Garrett, Don Vito, Bryan-Michael Cox and Dre & Vidal. It also features guest appearances by Ludacris, Timbaland and Fabolous.

<i>Married to the Game</i> 2003 studio album by Too Short

Married to the Game is the fifteenth studio album by American rapper Too Short. It was released on November 4, 2003 through Jive Records, making it his 12th album on the label. Recording sessions took place at The Hit Factory Criteria and Circle House Studios in Miami, The Enterprise in Burbank, Sound On Sound Recording in New York, Stankonia Recording in Atlanta and Westlake Audio in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Dez, Lil Jon, Ant Banks, and Jazze Pha, with Too $hort serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Cutty Cartel, Devin the Dude, Jagged Edge, Jazze Pha, Lil' Jon & the East Side Boyz, Noreaga, Oobie and Petey Pablo. The album peaked at number 49 on the Billboard 200 and number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its lead single, "Shake That Monkey", made it to number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 56 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The album's second single, "Choosin'", reached number 61 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

<i>Tonight</i> (Silk album) 1999 studio album by Silk

Tonight is the third studio album by American R&B group Silk, released on March 23, 1999 on Elektra Entertainment. It was their first album in four years and the reason for the break was due to the group wanting to be more involved in the creative process. Another reason for the hiatus was due to the lackluster performance of their previous album Silk (1995), which caused the group to seek new management after dealing with financial and legal issues. After severing ties with their former managers, they were managed by Sonja Norwood, mother of singer/actress Brandy Norwood. They were soon given the green light to record a new album by Elektra's then-president Sylvia Rhone, who let them take their time to record the album until they had the right songs.

<i>A Love Supreme</i> (Chanté Moore album) 1994 studio album by Chanté Moore

A Love Supreme is the second album by American singer Chanté Moore, released on November 15, 1994, through Silas/MCA Records. The album peaked at number 20 on the UK R&B Albums chart and number 11 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

<i>T.E.V.I.N.</i> 1991 studio album by Tevin Campbell

T.E.V.I.N. is the debut studio album by American R&B singer Tevin Campbell. It was released by Qwest Records on November 19, 1991. The album was certified platinum by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1994.

<i>Cool Relax</i> 1997 studio album by Jon B

Cool Relax is the second studio album by American singer Jon B. It was released by Tracey Edmonds' label Yab Yum Records and distributed by Epic Records subsidiary 550 Music on September 16, 1997.

<i>Pleasures U Like</i> 2001 studio album by Jon B

Pleasures U Like is the third studio album by American singer Jon B. Released on March 20, 2001 in the United States, it marked his first album under Tracey Edmonds' label Edmonds Record Group which was formed after Jon's previous label home Yab Yum Records had folded. On Pleasures U Like, Jon reunites with past producers Babyface and Tim Kelley and Bob Robinson, who each produced one song. Also present on the album is the team of musician Joshua P. Thompson and Quincy Patrick.

<i>Stronger Everyday</i> 2004 studio album by Jon B

Stronger Everyday is the fourth studio album by American singer Jon B. It was released October 5, 2004 on Sanctuary Records. The album spawned the singles "Everytime" and "Lately".

<i>You Cant Stop the Reign</i> 1996 studio album by Shaquille ONeal

You Can't Stop the Reign is the third studio album by American basketball player and rapper Shaquille O'Neal. It was released on November 19, 1996, through T.W.IsM./Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place at T.W.IsM. Studios in Orlando, Skip Saylor in Los Angeles and Bosstown Recording Studios in Atlanta, with additional recordings done at Soundtrack Studios and The Hit Factory in New York. Production was handled by Dave Atkinson, Ross "Spyda" Sloan, Domingo, Trackmasters, Darkchild, Bobby Brown, Chris Large, DJ Quik, Easy Mo Bee, G-1, I-Roc, Jammin' James Carter, Mobb Deep and Ralph Tresvant. It features guest appearances from The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz, S.H.E., Bobby Brown, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep and Peaches.

<i>So Damn Happy</i> (Aretha Franklin album) 2003 studio album by Aretha Franklin

So Damn Happy is the thirty-fifth studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin. Her first studio album in five years. The album featured the Grammy Award-winning track "Wonderful", a single co-written and produced by Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence.

<i>A Love Story</i> (Vivian Green album) 2002 studio album by Vivian Green

A Love Story is the debut studio album by American singer Vivian Green. It was released by Columbia Records on November 12, 2002 in the United States. Green worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Anthony Bell, Junius Bervine, Durrell Bottoms, Jamar Jones, Fred Kenney, Osunlade, and Thaddeus Tribbett II. The album debuted at 93 on the US Billboard 200 in December 2002 and later peaked at number 51, also reaching number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<i>The Sweetest Days</i> 1994 studio album by Vanessa Williams

The Sweetest Days is the third studio album by American singer and actress Vanessa Williams. It was released on December 6, 1994, by Wing Records and Mercury Records. The album peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard 200 and at number 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>A Little More Magic</i> 1993 studio album by Teddy Pendergrass

A Little More Magic is the twelfth studio album by American R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass. It was released by Elektra Records on September 14, 1993. This was the third and last album Pendergrass recorded for Elektra, and was commercially the least successful of the three despite featuring songwriting and production credits from well-known names such as Barry White, Gerald Levert and Leon Huff as well as Reggie and Vincent Calloway.

<i>Ridin Solo</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Keith Sweat

Ridin' Solo is the eleventh studio album by American R&B singer Keith Sweat. It was released on June 22, 2010 by Kedar Entertainment and Fontana Distribution. It debuted at number 13 on the US Billboard 200, also reaching number four on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

<i>Love Crazy</i> (Atlantic Starr album) 1991 studio album by Atlantic Starr

Love Crazy is a studio album by the American R&B group Atlantic Starr, released in 1991. It contained three singles: "Love Crazy", "Masterpiece" and "Unconditional Love". The album reached No. 134 on the Billboard 200 and No. 25 on the R&B charts.

<i>Meant to Be Mint</i> 1991 studio album by Mint Condition

Meant to Be Mint is the debut studio album of R&B band Mint Condition. The album was released on June 11, 1991, on Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis' A&M imprint Perspective Records. Meant to Be Mint reached to no. 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

<i>From the Mint Factory</i> 1993 studio album by Mint Condition

From the Mint Factory is the second studio album by American R&B band Mint Condition. The album was released on October 5, 1993, on Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis' record label Perspective Records. The album peaked and charted at number 104 on the Billboard 200 and number 18 on the Top R&B Albums chart.

<i>Reality Show</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Jazmine Sullivan

Reality Show is the third studio album by American R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan. It was released by RCA Records on January 13, 2015, in the United States. Sullivan recorded the album, her first in five years, during a hiatus from the music industry, writing and working with producers such as Anthony Bell, Salaam Remi, and Key Wane. Reality Show received widespread acclaim from critics and sold 30,000 copies in its first week.

References

  1. 1 2 Inskeep, Thomas. "(Helpless Romantic > Overview)". AllMusic . Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  2. Inskeep, Thomas. "ALBUM REVIEW: Jon B – Helpless Romantic". AllHipHop . Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Jon B. Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Jon B. Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  5. Jon B. - Helpless Romantic (CD liner notes). Arsenal Records. 4400398034
  6. Helpless Romantic: Jon B. at Amazon.com