How I Do | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 26, 2001 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 47:49 | |||
Label | MCA | |||
Producer |
| |||
Res chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from How I Do | ||||
|
How I Do is the debut studio album by American singer Res. It was co-written by Santi White (as the lyricist), produced by Martin "Doc" McKinney, and released by MCA Records on June 26, 2001. [1] The album charted for nine weeks on the Billboard 200, with the singles "Golden Boys" and "They-Say Vision" also charting. [2]
The album combines elements of a number of musical styles, including hip-hop, pop, rock, and R&B. [3] The title track is pop-oriented, while "Sittin' Back" was called "hip-hop-hued" by one critic. [3] While The Philadelphia Inquirer 's Dan DeLuca calls it a "rock-soul album", [4] The New York Times writer Touré says its "collection of seductive post-punk" evokes "the Pretenders, with lyrics about self-empowerment that harked back to the roaring female singer-songwriters of the 70's". [5] In "Ice King", Res details the story of a relationship with a drug dealer. "Golden Boys" comments that many popular and lauded people "aren't always what they seem". [3]
How I Do was promoted with the release of two singles, "Golden Boys" and "They-Say Vision". "Golden Boys" reached number 30 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, spending nine weeks total on the tally. [6] The album itself sold 172,000 units in the US by June 2002. [7]
Upon its release, the album failed to enter the Billboard 200 albums chart; however, in April 2002, nearly a year after its release, the album finally reached the chart, debuting at number 200. [8] On the chart dated May 4, 2002, the album recorded a 25 percent gain in sales in the United States, leading it to jump from number 170 to 119 on that week's Billboard 200. [9] That week, it also rose from number 11 to number 1 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. [9] Billboard reported that the album's gain that week was attributable in part to a sale at Best Buy stores, but that sales gains were being reported at other chains, as well. [9] The album ultimately attained a peak of number 115 on the Billboard 200, and spent a total of nine weeks on. [2]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [10] |
Robert Christgau | [11] |
How I Do was met with positive reviews. Billboard named it "Critic's Choice" and noted how Res "effortlessly blends elements of rock, hip-hop, and R&B into a smoothed-out, soul-satisfying set". [3] In a review-feature on contemporary neo soul albums, the Chicago Tribune 's Greg Kot said How I Do "simmers with trip-hop atmospherics and embraces rock guitars and reggae bass lines", as "cautionary tales about fame, the media and unpaid debts give Res' streetsmart grooves a deep-soul resonance that eludes many of her contemporaries." [12] Mark Anthony Neal, writing for PopMatters , applauded Santi White's lyrics concerning image and identity in the entertainment industry, particularly from the perspective of a black woman. [13] Rolling Stone magazine's Tracy E. Hopkins ranked it fourth on her year-end list of top albums from 2001, making note of its mix of "new wave, alt rock, and a splash of reggae and hip-hop". [14]
Some reviewers were less enthusiastic. The Village Voice critic Robert Christgau relegated the release to the "honorable mentions" section of his "Consumer Guide" column. He singled out "Golden Boys" and "Ice King" as highlights while recommending the album merely as "something to suck on while you dream of Lauryn [Hill]". [15] AllMusic's Richie Unterberger deemed it "a competent and accomplished, and not great, crossover of soul, pop, rock, and some hip-hop-type beats", with production largely pop-based and lyrics somewhat different from typical R&B relationship songs. [10]
In 2016, the webzine Treble included How I Do in a list of "10 Essential Neo-Soul Albums". [16]
Track listing and credits adapted from CD liner notes [17] and Spotify. [18] Except where noted, all lyrics are by Santi White. [17]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Golden Boys" | Doc McKinney | 4:38 | |
2. | "They-Say Vision" | McKinney | 3:35 | |
3. | "700 Mile Situation" |
| McKinney | 4:10 |
4. | "Ice King" |
|
| 4:46 |
5. | "Sittin' Back" |
| 4:05 | |
6. | "How I Do" | Patrick Lawrence | 3:59 | |
7. | "If There Ain't Nothing" |
| 3:24 | |
8. | "The Hustler" | Lawrence | 3:48 | |
9. | "I've Known The Garden" | Jeremy Lapinski | 3:38 | |
10. | "Let Love" | McKinney | 3:53 | |
11. | "Tsunami" (contains hidden track) | Lapinski | 7:48 | |
Total length: | 47:49 |
Credits adapted from CD liner notes. [17]
|
|
Chart (2002) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard 200 [19] | 115 |
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [20] | 1 [9] |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [21] | 43 |
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the only solo studio album by American singer and rapper Lauryn Hill. It was released on August 25, 1998, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is a neo soul and R&B album with some songs based in hip hop soul and reggae. Its lyrics touch upon Hill's pregnancy and the turmoil within her former group the Fugees, along with themes of love and God. The album's title was inspired by the film and autobiographical novel The Education of Sonny Carson, and Carter G. Woodson's The Mis-Education of the Negro.
Paul's Boutique is the second studio album by American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released on July 25, 1989, by Capitol Records. Produced by the Beastie Boys and the Dust Brothers, the album's composition makes extensive use of samples, drawn from a wide range of genres including funk, soul, rock, and jazz. It was recorded over two years at Matt Dike's apartment and the Record Plant in Los Angeles.
Stankonia is the fourth studio album by the American hip hop duo Outkast. It was released on October 31, 2000, by LaFace Records. The album was recorded in the duo's recently purchased Atlanta recording facility Stankonia Studios, which allowed for fewer time and recording constraints, and featured production work from Earthtone III and Organized Noize.
The New Danger is the second studio album by American rapper Mos Def, released on October 12, 2004, by Rawkus and Geffen Records. It is the follow-up to his breakthrough solo effort Black on Both Sides (1999), after which he devoted more time into his film and stage career.
Mama's Gun is the second studio album by American singer Erykah Badu. It was recorded between 1999 and 2000 at Electric Lady Studios in New York and released on November 21, 2000, by Motown Records. A neo soul album, Mama's Gun incorporates elements of funk, soul, and jazz styles. It has confessional lyrics by Badu, which cover themes of insecurity, personal relationships, and social issues. The album has been viewed by critics as a female companion to neo soul artist D'Angelo's second album Voodoo (2000), which features a similar musical style and direction. Critics have also noted that while Badu's first album Baduizm contained its share of cryptic lyricism, Mama's Gun is much more direct in its approach, and places the artist in a subjective position more than its predecessor.
Brown Sugar is the debut studio album by American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist D'Angelo, released on July 3, 1995, through EMI. The album was recorded during 1994 and 1995 in sessions at Battery Studios and RPM Studios in New York City and at the Pookie Lab in Sacramento. Its production, instrumentation, arrangements, and songwriting were primarily handled by D'Angelo, who employed both vintage recording equipment and modern electronic devices. The songs feature earnest lyrics about love and romance, set against a fusion of contemporary R&B and traditional soul music with elements of funk, quiet storm, and hip hop music.
Buhloone Mindstate is the third studio album by American hip hop group De La Soul. It was released on September 21, 1993, through Tommy Boy Records, and was the group's last record to be produced with Prince Paul.
Phrenology is the fifth studio album by American hip hop band the Roots, released on November 26, 2002, by MCA Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during June 2000 to September 2002 at Electric Lady Studios in New York. It was primarily produced by members of the band and features contributions from hip hop and neo soul artists such as Cody ChesnuTT, Musiq Soulchild, Talib Kweli, and Jill Scott.
Destiny's Child is the debut studio album by American R&B group of the same name, released by Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment on February 17, 1998. It features the singles "No, No, No" and "With Me", both of which preceded the album. "Killing Time" was also featured in "Men in Black: The Album" and released as a promotional single in 1997. Prior to release, the album was set to be called "Bridges". The album spent twenty six weeks on the US Billboard 200 chart and peaked at number sixty-seven. To date the album has sold a total of 831,000 copies in America. In the United Kingdom, it reached the top fifty, peaking at number forty-five. It was re-packaged and re-released in several countries after the success of the follow-up album, The Writing's on the Wall (1999). The album was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics, including AllMusic and Rolling Stone, and won a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year.
A Rose Is Still a Rose is the thirty-fourth studio album by American recording artist Aretha Franklin. It was released on March 24, 1998, by Arista Records. Conceived after a longer hiatus and a complete departure from her previous studio album What You See Is What You Sweat (1991), the album includes influences of 1990s hip hop as well as modern-day contemporary R&B and soul music. Throughout the project, Franklin worked with many famed hip hop producers and rappers, such as Lauryn Hill, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Jermaine Dupri, and Daryl Simmons. With the latter acts producing most of the album, A Rose Is Still a Rose deviated from the adult contemporary sound of Franklin's older work.
Kamaal the Abstract is the third studio album by American hip hop artist Q-Tip, released September 15, 2009, on Battery Records. Recorded in 2001, the album is a departure from his solo debut album Amplified (1999). Kamaal the Abstract is an eclectic album that features Q-Tip rapping, singing, and exploring his jazz influences. The album contains introspective and life-related lyrical themes.
The Headphone Masterpiece is the debut album by American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cody Chesnutt, released in 2002. It was recorded in his home bedroom with a 4-track recorder and Chesnutt playing guitar, bass, keyboard, and the organ. A 36-song double album, The Headphone Masterpiece features neo soul and lo-fi music, and distorted, overdubbed production. It was written and arranged by Chesnutt, whose mix of ironic and sincere lyrics reflect on personal experiences such as falling in love with his wife and reconciling his love for rock and roll with the drawbacks to the rock lifestyle.
Mahogany Soul is the second studio album by American singer Angie Stone. It was first released in the United States on October 16, 2001, by J Records. In the US, the album sold 71,000 copies in its first week of release. The album spawned five singles: "Brotha", "Brotha Part II", "Wish I Didn't Miss You", "More Than a Woman", and "Bottles & Cans".
The Mix-Up is the seventh studio album by Beastie Boys, released on June 26, 2007. The album consists entirely of instrumental performances and won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
Breezin' is the fifteenth studio album by jazz/soul guitarist and vocalist George Benson. It is his debut on Warner Bros. Records. It not only was a chart-topper in the Jazz category but also went to #1 on the pop and R&B charts. It was certified triple platinum, making it one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time.
Teddy is the third album by R&B crooner Teddy Pendergrass, released in 1979. It included more "bedroom ballads" than his prior releases, and was compared to Marvin Gaye's I Want You album.
Ready is the third studio album by American R&B recording artist Trey Songz. It was released on August 31, 2009, by Troy Taylor's record label Songbook, distributed by Atlantic Records. The album serves as the sequel to Trey Day (2007). Production for the album took place from 2008 to 2009, which was contributed by Songz's longtime collaborator and his mentor Troy Taylor, along with Bryan-Michael Cox, StarGate and Los da Mystro, among others.
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. It was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Airtight's Revenge is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Bilal. It was released on September 6, 2010, by the independent record label Plug Research, his first album for the label.
Divorcing Neo 2 Marry Soul is the second studio album by American soul singer Jaguar Wright. Originally titled And Your Point Is..., Wright finished recording the album in April 2003, and it was originally slated to be released by MCA Records that year. However, after Geffen Records absorbed MCA and shelved the album, Wright secured rights to some of the tracks she had recorded and sought a new label. She ultimately signed with independent label Artemis Records, which released the album on July 12, 2005. The album was promoted by lead single "Free", which received a radio remix and was commercially released in November 2005.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) Retrieved 24 December 2022 from Discogs.