Release Some Tension

Last updated
Release Some Tension
SWV - Release Some Tension.jpg
Studio album by
SWV
ReleasedJuly 29, 1997 (1997-07-29)
Recorded1996–1997
Genre
Length53:15
Label RCA
Producer
SWV chronology
New Beginning
(1996)
Release Some Tension
(1997)
A Special Christmas
(1997)
Singles from Release Some Tension
  1. "Can We"
    Released: February 11, 1997
  2. "Someone"
    Released: June 24, 1997
  3. "Lose My Cool"
    Released: September 16, 1997
  4. "Rain"
    Released: February 24, 1998

Release Some Tension is the third studio album by American R&B vocal group SWV. It was released by RCA Records on July 29, 1997. The album guest appearances by E-40, Puff Daddy, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Foxy Brown, Lil' Cease, Lil' Kim, Snoop Dogg and Redman. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments exceeding 500,000 copies in the United States. [4]

Contents

The album features hits like "Rain", "Someone", and "Can We". Another single "Lose My Cool" was slated to be released as the album's third single but due to limited radio airplay it was shelved in favor of "Rain" which became one of their most notable hits. The second single "Someone" reached number 19 on the Billboard charts and was certified gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies. [5] [6] The girls and others claimed that this album was rushed and recording began while they were still promoting their second album New Beginning (1996).

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [2]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Music Week Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]

AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine found that "with their third album, SWV attempt to break away from the slick urban straitjacket and return to their hip-hop roots. In order to achieve their goal, the group hired a head-spinning array of producers and collaborators [...] Considering all the extra starpower, it's not all that surprising that SWV occasionally become overwhelmed by their guests, but that doesn't prevent Release Some Tension from being a solid album, particularly when it's propelled by funky singles [...]." [3]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Someone" (featuring Puff Daddy)
  • J Dub
  • Combs
4:05
2."Release Some Tension" (featuring Foxy Brown)
  • Wiggins
  • Daniels (co.)
4:05
3."Lose My Cool" (featuring Redman)
Pendleton4:38
4."Love Like This" (featuring Lil' Cease)Taylor3:46
5."Can We" (featuring Missy Elliott) Timbaland 4:51
6."Rain"
Morgan4:25
7."Give It Up" (featuring Lil' Kim)
  • D-Dot
  • Lanz "Wet" Mitchell
4:41
8."Come and Get Some" (featuring E-40)Kinchen4:23
9."When U Cry"
  • Darryl Ellis
  • Paul Richmond
  • Ruben Locke Jr.
  • Patricia Deige Muldrow
  • Kevin Perez
  • Tony Pérez
  • K. Perez
  • T. Perez
4:31
10."Lose Myself"
  • Farrar
  • Dawn Beckman
  • Taylor
Taylor4:38
11."Here For You"
Taylor4:53
12."Gettin' Funky" (featuring Snoop Dogg)
  • Kinchen
  • Evans
4:19

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [21] Gold50,000^
Japan (RIAJ) [22] Gold100,000^
United States (RIAA) [23] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SWV</span> American R&B vocal group

SWV is an American R&B vocal trio from New York City whose members are Cheryl (Coko) Gamble, Tamara (Taj) George, and Leanne (Lelee) Lyons. Formed in 1988 as a gospel group, SWV became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s. They had a series of hits, including "Weak", "Right Here ", "I'm So into You", and "You're the One". The group disbanded in 1998 to pursue solo projects and reunited in 2005.

<i>Hard Core</i> (Lil Kim album) 1996 studio album by Lil Kim

Hard Core is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil' Kim, released on November 12, 1996, by Undeas Recordings, Big Beat Records, and Atlantic Records. After achieving success with the hip hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A. and their album Conspiracy (1995), Kim began working on her solo album with the Notorious B.I.G. serving as the executive producer. She collaborated with a number of producers, such as Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Stevie J., David "Ski" Willis and Jermaine Dupri, among others. Other rappers, including Jay-Z, Lil' Cease and Puff Daddy were featured on the album.

<i>My Way</i> (Usher album) 1997 studio album by Usher

My Way is the second studio album by American singer Usher. It was released on September 16, 1997, by LaFace Records in North America. The album features guest appearances from Monica, Jermaine Dupri, and Lil' Kim. The album was supported by three singles, all multi platinum-selling: "Nice & Slow", "My Way", and "You Make Me Wanna...".

<i>Ill Na Na</i> Album by Foxy Brown

Ill Na Na is the debut studio album by American rapper Foxy Brown. It was released by Def Jam Recordings on November 19, 1996, and reissued on September 29, 1997, in the UK with an additional song "Big Bad Mamma". Brown began working on the album after being discovered by the production team Trackmasters and appearing on a number of singles by other artists, such as LL Cool J, Case and Jay Z. The immediate success of the singles led to a bidding war at the beginning of 1996, and in March, Def Jam Recordings won and signed the then 17-year-old rapper to the label. Mostly produced by Trackmasters, Ill Na Na features guest appearances from Blackstreet, Havoc, Method Man, Kid Capri and Jay Z. Lyrically, the album mainly focuses on themes of fashion, sex and mafia.

<i>Urban Legend</i> (album) 2004 studio album by T.I.

Urban Legend is the third studio album by American rapper T.I., released on November 30, 2004, through Grand Hustle Records and Atlantic Records. The album debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200, selling 193,000 copies in its first week of release. It also debuted at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and the Top Rap Albums charts.

<i>Its About Time</i> (SWV album) 1992 studio album by SWV

It's About Time is the debut studio album by American female R&B trio SWV. It was released by RCA Records on October 27, 1992, in the United States. It earned 11 Billboard Music Award nominations and became the 16th best-selling album of 1993 in the United States, with 2,100,000 copies sold according to Nielsen SoundScan. It also earned SWV a nomination for Best New Artist at the 36th Grammy Awards. In 1996, It's About Time was certified 3× platinum, for shipping over 3,000,000 albums in the US alone.

<i>A Rose Is Still a Rose</i> 1998 studio album by Aretha Franklin

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.

<i>My Soul</i> (Coolio album) 1997 studio album by Coolio

My Soul is the third studio album by rapper Coolio, released on August 26, 1997 and was his last album for Tommy Boy Records. Production was handled by Romeo, Vic C., Bryan "Wino" Dobbs and DJ I-Roc. The album has been certified gold by the RIAA.

<i>702</i> (album) 1999 studio album by 702

702 is the self-titled second studio album by American R&B group 702. It was released on June 15, 1999, by Motown.

Young Money Entertainment is an American record label founded by rapper Lil Wayne in 2005. It was launched as an imprint of Cash Money Records — a joint venture colloquially branded as Young Money Cash Money Billionaires — and Republic Records until 2018, after which the label operated severally as an imprint of latter. Wayne's longtime affiliate, rapper Mack Maine was appointed the company's president in 2009.

<i>New Beginning</i> (SWV album) 1996 studio album by SWV

New Beginning is the second studio album by American R&B female trio SWV. It was released by RCA Records on April 23, 1996, in the United States. The lead single, "You're the One", became one of their signature songs peaking at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B Singles. The second single, "Use Your Heart", saw the debut of the super producers The Neptunes. This song peaked at twenty-two on the Hot 100 and number six on the R&B chart. The last single, "It's All About U", found Taj taking most of the lead as opposed to Coko. New Beginning was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Rated Next</i> 1997 studio album by Next

Rated Next is the debut studio album by American musical group Next. After forming, the trio recorded several songs with record producers Prof. T. and Lance Alexander before catching recording artist and producer Keir "KayGee" Gist of American hip hop trio Naughty by Nature's attention. He signed Next to his record label Divine Mill, with most of Next's debut album being recorded in Gee's in-home recording studio and the remaining was recorded at Ken Johnston's Perfect Pair studio located in East Orange, New Jersey. Rated Next was eventually released on September 30, 1997 in the United States, under Divine Mill and Arista Records.

This is the discography of American female R&B trio SWV.

<i>Booty Call</i> (soundtrack) 1997 soundtrack album by various artists

Booty Call: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack to the 1997 film Booty Call. It was released on February 25, 1997, through Jive Records and consisted of a blend of contemporary R&B and hip hop. The soundtrack was a success, peaking at 24 on the Billboard 200 and 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It was first certified Gold on April 28, 1997, before earning a Platinum certification on November 18, 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someone (SWV song)</span> 1997 single by SWV

"Someone" is a song by American R&B group SWV, released as the second single from their third studio album Release Some Tension on June 24, 1997. It features a guest appearance from American rapper and producer Sean Combs. The song samples "Ten Crack Commandments" and "The World is Filled..." both by The Notorious B.I.G. from his album Life After Death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm on One</span> 2011 single by DJ Khaled

"I'm on One" is a song by American hip hop artist DJ Khaled, released as the second single from his fifth studio album, We the Best Forever. The hip hop song features Canadian rapper Drake and American rappers Rick Ross and Lil Wayne and features production from Canadian producers T-Minus, Nikhil S. and Noah "40" Shebib. It was released for digital download in the United States on May 20, 2011. Remixes and freestyles were released from rappers such as Tyga, Meek Mill, Jamie Drastik, including other rappers.

<i>Hot Coko</i> 1999 studio album by Coko

Hot Coko is the debut solo studio album by American R&B singer Coko. It was released by RCA Records on August 10, 1999.Hot Coko served as the singer's debut effort following the release of her band SWV's third album Release Some Tension (1997), which led towards the group's first disbandment in 1998. Guest appearances on the album are made by rapper Eve and singer Tyrese. Hot Coko features production from the likes of Damon Thomas, Rodney Jerkins, Marc Anthony, Missy Elliott, Timbaland and Brian Alexander Morgan, whom Coko worked with while a member of SWV earlier in the decade.

<i>Lil Pump</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Lil Pump

Lil Pump is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil Pump. It was released on October 6, 2017, through Tha Lights Global and Warner Records. The album features guest appearances from frequent collaborator Smokepurpp, alongside Lil Yachty, Chief Keef, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and Rick Ross. It also features production from Bighead, Ronny J, TM88, among others. A sequel album, Lil Pump 2, was released six years later on March 17, 2023.

<i>Life of a Dark Rose</i> 2018 mixtape by Lil Skies

Life of a Dark Rose is the eighth mixtape by American rapper Lil Skies, released on January 10, 2018, by All We Got Entertainment and Atlantic Records. The mixtape debuted at number 23 and peaked at number ten on the US Billboard 200 albums chart. The mixtape features a sole guest appearance from Landon Cube who appears on two of the singles, "Red Roses" and "Nowadays".

<i>Time Served</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Moneybagg Yo

Time Served is the third studio album by American rapper Moneybagg Yo. It was released on January 10, 2020, through Roc Nation, Collective Music Group, Bread Gang Entertainment, N-Less Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The album features collaborations with Lil Baby, Blac Youngsta, Future, DaBaby, Summer Walker, Fredo Bang, and Megan Thee Stallion. The production on the album was handled by Tay Keith, 30 Roc, and DMacTooBangin, among others. The deluxe edition was released on May 15, 2020, featuring some additional guest appearances from Big Homiie G, Big30, and Rylo Rodriguez.

References

  1. Miles Marshall Lewis (1997). Vibe - SWV 'Release Some Tension'. Vibe Media Group.{{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  2. 1 2 3 4 Tyehimba, Cheo (August 16, 1997). "Release Some Tension". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on 2009-04-21. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Release Some Tension at AllMusic. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  4. "American certifications – S.W.V. – Release Some Tension". Recording Industry Association of America.
  5. "American certifications – S.W.V. – Someone". Recording Industry Association of America.
  6. "Best-Selling Records of 1997". Billboard . Vol. 110, no. 5. BPI Communications Inc. January 31, 1998. p. 76. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  7. Sullivan, Caroline (August 8, 1997). "Music: This week's pop CD releases". The Guardian .
  8. "Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Music Week . July 26, 1997. p. 27. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  9. Stovall, Natasha (October 16, 1997). "SWV: Release Some Tension : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 9, 2013.[ dead link ]
  10. "SWV ARIA Chart history (complete) to 2024". ARIA. Retrieved July 28, 2024 via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
  11. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3307". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  12. "Dutchcharts.nl – SWV – Release Some Tension" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  13. "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 14, no. 36. September 6, 1997. p. 13. Retrieved April 16, 2023 via World Radio History.
  14. "Offiziellecharts.de – SWV – Release Some Tension" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  15. "Swedishcharts.com – SWV – Release Some Tension". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  16. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  17. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  18. "SWV Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  19. "SWV Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  20. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  21. "Canadian album certifications – SWV – Release Some Tension". Music Canada . Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  22. "Japanese album certifications – SWV – Release Some Tension" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan.Select 1997年09月 on the drop-down menu
  23. "American album certifications – S.W.V. – Release Some Tension". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved November 20, 2019.