Soul Talkin'

Last updated

Soul Talkin'
Soul Talkin'.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 1, 1993
Studio
  • Pacifique and Track Record (North Hollywood, California)
  • Cherokee (Hollywood, California)
  • Studio 56, Walt Tucker and Willyworld (Los Angeles, California)
  • Take One (Burbank, California)
Genre Pop, R&B
Length44:55
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

Musicians

Background and guest vocals

Arrangements

Production

References

  1. Holden, Stephen (August 21, 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 September 26, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  3. "Seven-Year Break Helps Brenda Russell 'Suss Out' Good Songs". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  4. "Russell Returns With 'Paris Rain'". Los Angeles Sentinel. July 19, 2000. p. B7.
  5. "Brenda Russell". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Stride, Todd (August 29, 1993). "Music". The Gazette. p. F5.
  7. 1 2 Jones IV, James T. (September 1993). "Brenda Russell: Signature songwriter". Essence. Vol. 24, no. 5. p. 54.
  8. Holsey, Steve (April 5, 1995). "What's a middle-aged artist to do?". Michigan Chronicle. p. 1D.
  9. "Soul Talkin'". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  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 September 26, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  12. MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 496.
  13. 1 2 Jones IV, James T. (May 18, 1993). "Brenda in Charge". USA Today. p. 6D.
  14. "Soul Talkin'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  15. Wilker, Deborah. "Soft on Soul". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  16. Himes, Geoffrey (August 13, 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.