Soul Talkin'

Last updated
Soul Talkin'
Soul Talkin'.jpg
Studio album by
Released1993
Genre Pop, R&B
Label EMI [1]
Producer Brenda Russell
Brenda Russell chronology
Greatest Hits
(1992)
Soul Talkin'
(1993)
Paris Rain
(2000)

Soul Talkin' is an album by the American musician Brenda Russell, released in 1993. [2] [3] Disappointed with how the album was handled, Russell took a break from solo recording to travel and work on other projects. [4]

Contents

The single "No Time for Time" peaked at No. 47 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. [5]

Production

The album was produced by Russell, who cowrote or wrote every song but one. [6] [7] She spent two years working on Soul Talkin'; it was the first time Russell had produced an album entirely on her own. [8] [7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
The Gazette B+ [6]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [13]

Entertainment Weekly called the album "a crafty collection of Caribbean, Brazilian, and jazzy pop," writing that "not since her 1979 debut has Brenda Russell sounded so good, so right." [14] The Sun Sentinel thought that "it's fine adult contemporary radio fare, but if Russell wants a serious crack at the charts, she needs to loosen up and really swing." [15] The Washington Post determined that Russell "wraps her songs in so many synthesizers and harmony vocals that she smothers them," while noting that her true talent remains her songrwriting. [16]

The Los Angeles Times opined that "the highlight is the appearance of Bobby Caldwell—another gutsy singer—on the gently romantic 'Who Are You?'" [11] USA Today declared that Russell is "a gifted composer," writing that "her infectious pop melodies enrich the album." [13] The Orange County Register deemed the album "compelling, if slick, R&B pop/balladry." [17]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Matters of the Heart"Brenda Russell, Larry Williams 4:15
2."Soul Talkin'"Brenda Russell4:54
3."In Over My Heart"Brenda Russell, Denise Eisenberg Rich, Mary Unobsky4:47
4."No Time for Time"Brenda Russell4:22
5."You'll Fall in Love Again"Brenda Russell4:30
6."10,000 Words"Brenda Russell, Joe Turano4:33
7."Life Is Waiting"Brenda Russell4:41
8."Got to Love"Brenda Russell4:48
9."The Universe Is Calling You"Brenda Russell, Ivan Lins 5:32
10."Who Are You?" (featuring Bobby Caldwell)Bill Cantos4:43
Total length:44:55

Personnel

Production

Studios

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References

  1. Holden, Stephen (21 Aug 1993). "Singer as Songwriter, Admirers as Before". The New York Times. p. L9.
  2. "Brenda Russell Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  3. "Seven-Year Break Helps Brenda Russell 'Suss Out' Good Songs". MTV News. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  4. "Russell Returns With 'Paris Rain'". Los Angeles Sentinel. 19 July 2000. p. B7.
  5. "Brenda Russell". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2023-08-22. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  6. 1 2 Stride, Todd (29 Aug 1993). "Music". The Gazette. p. F5.
  7. 1 2 Jones IV, James T. (Sep 1993). "Brenda Russell: Signature songwriter". Essence. Vol. 24, no. 5. p. 54.
  8. Holsey, Steve (5 Apr 1995). "What's a middle-aged artist to do?". Michigan Chronicle. p. 1D.
  9. "Soul Talkin'". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  10. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. MUZE. p. 197.
  11. 1 2 "In Brief". Los Angeles Times. July 4, 1993. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  12. MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 496.
  13. 1 2 Jones IV, James T. (18 May 1993). "Brenda in Charge". USA Today. p. 6D.
  14. "Soul Talkin'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  15. Wilker, Deborah. "Soft on Soul". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2022-10-14. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  16. Himes, Geoffrey (13 August 1993). "Russell's Pop Gifts Are for Giving". The Washington Post. p. N15.
  17. Darling, Cary (June 25, 1993). "R&B". Orange County Register. p. P46.