Lovers | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 7, 1986 September 12, 1989 (re-issue) | |||
Recorded | 1986 | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 39:04 | |||
Label | SOLAR (1986 release) Epic (1989 re-issue) | |||
Producer | L.A. Reid, Babyface | |||
Babyface chronology | ||||
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Singles from Lovers | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [2] |
Lovers is the debut studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter and musician Babyface. It was originally released on October 7, 1986, while he was taking a break from his band the Deele. Album charted number 28 on the Soul Album Charts. The album was reissued in 1989 under Epic Records with a different front cover [3] after the success of his second album Tender Lover .
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "You Make Me Feel Brand New" | 5:03 | |
2. | "Lovers" | 5:56 | |
3. | "Chivalry" |
| 4:38 |
4. | "I Love You Babe" | Edmonds | 4:09 |
5. | "Mary Mack" |
| 5:28 |
6. | "Faithful" |
| 5:08 |
7. | "If We Try" |
| 4:05 |
8. | "Take Your Time" |
| 4:37 |
9. | "I Love You Babe" (Reprise) | Edmonds | 0:51 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
10. | "Mary Mack" (Free Style Mix) |
| 5:54 |
11. | "If We Try" (12" version) |
| 8:36 |
12. | "Lovers" (Jazz Lover's Mix) |
| 6:29 |
Chart (1986–87) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [4] | 28 |
After 7 is an American R&B group founded in 1987 by brothers Melvin and Kevon Edmonds, and their friend Keith Mitchell. The Edmonds brothers are the older siblings of pop/R&B singer-songwriter and record producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, who named the group and helped them get a record deal with Virgin Records in 1988. After 7 released their platinum-selling self-titled debut album in 1989, which spawned three singles "Heat of the Moment", "Ready or Not" and "Can't Stop". "Ready or Not" and "Can't Stop" were No. 1 R&B hits and top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Their second album Takin' My Time, released in 1992, also went platinum and contained the R&B hit medley "Baby, I'm for Real/Natural High". After 7's Gold-selling 1995 album Reflections was their last album before the group disbanded in 1997. The album included the R&B hit "'Til You Do Me Right. Years later the group resumed touring with Jason Edmonds, son of Melvin Edmonds, replacing his father. Melvin rejoined the group for their successful 2016 comeback album Timeless, which featured 3 adult R&B top 10 hits "Runnin' Out", "I Want You" and "Let Me Know".
Kenneth Brian Edmonds, better known by his stage name Babyface, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has written and produced over 26 number-one R&B hits throughout his career and has won 13 Grammy Awards. He was ranked number 20 on NME's 50 of The Greatest Producers Ever list.
K-Ci & JoJo is an American R&B duo, consisting of brothers Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey and Joel "JoJo" Hailey. Natives of Charlotte, North Carolina, they are also the lead singers of the chart-topping R&B group Jodeci with the DeGrate brothers—Donald and Mr. Dalvin. They are best known for their 1998 single "All My Life" which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and received three Grammy Award nominations. They also guest appeared on Tupac Shakur's 1996 song "How Do U Want It", which was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1997. K-Ci & JoJo also achieved mainstream success with the 1999 hit "Tell Me It's Real", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Their 2001 song, "Crazy", was included on the Save the Last Dance soundtrack and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Tevin Jermod Campbell is an American singer and songwriter. He performed gospel in his local church from an early age. Following an audition for jazz musician Bobbi Humphrey in 1988, Campbell was signed to Warner Bros. Records. In 1989, Campbell collaborated with Quincy Jones performing lead vocals for "Tomorrow" on Jones' album Back on the Block and released his Platinum-selling debut album, T.E.V.I.N. The album included his highest-charting single to date, "Tell Me What You Want Me to Do", peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The debut album also included the singles "Alone With You", and "Goodbye".
"Never Forget You" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey for her third studio album, Music Box (1993). Carey co-wrote the slow jam with Babyface and the pair produced it with Daryl Simmons. Columbia Records released the song on January 21, 1994, as the B-side to "Without You" and promoted it to American urban contemporary radio stations as the album's fourth single. The lyrics lament the end of a romance. Strings, synthesizers, and percussion characterize the composition; Jermaine Dupri altered them for remixes.
The Deele is an American band from Cincinnati, Ohio who achieved success in the 1980s with such hit singles as "Body Talk" and "Two Occasions". When the group began recording in the early 1980s, the lineup consisted of Indianapolis native Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds along with Cincinnati musicians Antonio "L.A." Reid, Carlos "Satin" Greene, Darnell "Dee" Bristol, Stanley "Stick" Burke, and Kevin "Kayo" Roberson. In 2007, Bristol, Greene, Roberson & Burke reformed the group with several new members.
"Seven Whole Days" is a song performed by American singer Toni Braxton. It serves as the third single from her self-titled debut album (1993). It was released on October 8, 1993 by LaFace and Arista Records. Written and produced by Kenneth Edmonds, Antonio Reid and Daryl Simmons, the track describes a romance that was fading. As the single was not commercially released in the United States, it was ineligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, and only managed to chart on the Hot 100 Airplay at number forty-eight in early March 1994. Nevertheless, it successfully topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay in late January 1994.
Tender Lover is the second studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter Babyface. The album was released on July 7, 1989. It is the follow-up to his debut Lovers (1986). It was his first album with SOLAR after the label entered into a distribution deal with Epic Records. In some regions of Europe, Tender Lover was released with a different cover picture and simply titled Babyface.
For the Cool in You is the third studio album by American R&B musician and songwriter Babyface. The album was released on August 24, 1993. The album reached number sixteen on the US Billboard 200 and at number two on the Top R&B Albums chart. The album spawned five singles, the lead single "For the Cool in You", "Never Keeping Secrets", "And Our Feelings", "Rock Bottom", and "When Can I See You" which became his biggest top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number four, and reaching number six on the Hot R&B Singles chart.
The Day is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer Babyface. It was released by Epic Records on October 22, 1996, in the United States. The album peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard 200 and number 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, also reaching the top ten on the Dutch Albums Chart. The Day was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and received Grammy Award nominations for Album of the Year and Best R&B Album respectively.
Grown & Sexy is the sixth studio album by American singer Babyface. It was released by Arista Records on July 26, 2005 in the United States. Originally titled A Love Story and due to be released on March 23, 2004, its release was shelved after lead single "The Loneliness" failed to attract radio airplay/sales. The album was later reworked into Grown & Sexy with three songs being taken from the A Love Story sessions. Grown & Sexy reached number 10 on the US Billboard 200 and number 3 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
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.
"Hands Up" a song by American girl group TLC. It was written and produced by both Babyface and Daryl Simmons for the band's fourth studio album, 3D (2002). A sensual mid-tempo song that deals with romantic betrayal, it was selected and released as the album's second single in the United States on February 3, 2003, following lead single "Girl Talk" (2002). Arista Records consulted several producers to remix the song for its single release, including Richard X, LaMarquis Jefferson, and Jermaine Dupri.
Heart, Mind and Soul is the fourth album by American recording artist El DeBarge. It was released in 1994 on Reprise Records, and was produced by El DeBarge, Babyface, and Jermaine Dupri.
"Someone to Love" is a song by Jon B. from his debut album Bonafide. Released as the first single from the album in 1995, the song is a duet with Babyface that gained wide exposure on the Bad Boys soundtrack.
"My First Night with You" is a song written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Diane Warren. It was originally recorded by Canadian singer Deborah Cox for her self-titled debut studio album (1995). In 1998, American singer Mýa covered the song for her self-titled debut studio album, serving as the album's third and final single. The album version was produced by Daryl Simmons, allowing Mýa to put her own spin on the record, while the Ric Wake pop-produced version was marketed at pop and adult contemporary radio. The lyrics of the ballad speak of a non-sexual experience with a man.
"This Is for the Lover in You" is a song written by Howard Hewett, member of the trio Shalamar, and songwriter Dana Meyers. The track was originally recorded by Shalamar and appeared on their 1980 Platinum album, Three for Love.
"Dream Away" is a song recorded by American singer Babyface and English singer Lisa Stansfield for the soundtrack to the 1994 animated film The Pagemaster. It was written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster. Released as a single in the United States on November 7, 1994, it reached number nine on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and number eighty on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. "Dream Away" was also issued in selected European countries and Australia, and on January 21, 1995, it was released in Japan. The song was remixed by Dave Way, Paul Waller and Ollie Marland. The accompanying music video, directed by Randee St. Nicholas, featured Babyface, Stansfield and fragments from the film. In 2003, "Dream Away" was included on the remastered edition of Stansfield's third album, So Natural (1993).
Love, Marriage & Divorce is a collaborative studio album by American singers Toni Braxton and Babyface, released on February 4, 2014, by Motown Records. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and as of July 2, 2014 the album had sold 211,000 copies in the U.S. The album won Best R&B Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.
"I Love You Babe" is a song written, co-produced and performed by American contemporary R&B singer Babyface, issued as the lead single from his debut studio album Lovers. The song peaked at #8 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1987.