Takin' My Time (After 7 album)

Last updated
Takin' My Time
TakinMyTime.55a8024128a0ef5666d1f010. AA240 .L.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 25, 1992
Recorded1991–1992
Studio Doppler Studios
Studio LaCoCo
(Atlanta, Georgia)
Larrabee Sound Studios
(West Hollywood, California)
Flyte Tyme Studios
(Edina, Minnesota)
Right Track Recording
(Manhattan, New York)
Encore Studios
(Los Angeles, California)
Genre New jack swing [1]
Length52:12
Label Virgin
Producer Daryl Simmons & Kayo
Dallas Austin
Randy Ran
After 7 chronology
After 7
(1989)
Takin' My Time
(1992)
Reflections
(1995)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]

Takin' My Time is the second studio album by R&B trio After 7. It peaked at #76 on the Billboard 200. [2] It was their first album to be released under Virgin Records after being acquired by EMI Music in 1992. [3] The album is notable for being their first and only album without any songs produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface. Instead, they contribute as writers, with Reid co-writing the songs "Can He Love U Like This" and "G.S.T.", and Babyface writing "Truly Something Special" and "Love By Day/Love By Night". The production was handed over to Daryl Simmons & Kayo, who co-produced and co-wrote many of the songs on their self-titled debut.

Contents

Other songs on the album were produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis associate Randy Ran and producer Dallas Austin, who was fresh off the successes of the debut albums he worked on by Boyz II Men, Another Bad Creation and TLC. As a result, this gave Takin' My Time a decidedly "new jack swing" sound and feel. Three singles were released from the album; the first was "Kickin' It", followed by a medley of The Originals' song "Baby I'm for Real" and Bloodstone's "Natural High". The third single "Can He Love U Like This" featured a music video that was directed by Charles Stone III. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA. [4]

Track listing

  1. "All About Love" (Dallas Austin, H. Randall Davis, Michael Weinstein) 4:47
  2. "Kickin' It" (Dallas Austin, H. Randall Davis, Langston Ell Richey) 4:52
  3. "Can He Love U Like This" (Daryl Simmons, Antonio "L.A." Reid) 5:19
  4. "Truly Something Special" (Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Boaz Watson) 5:01
  5. "Baby, I'm for Real/Natural High" (Anna Gordy Gaye, Marvin Gaye, Charles McCormick) 5:08
  6. "Takin' My Time" (Interlude) 0:53
  7. "No Better Love" (Dallas Austin, H. Randall Davis) 4:15
  8. "Takin' My Time" (H. Randall Davis, Danny Williams) 5:24
  9. "G.S.T." (Toby Rivers, Kevin Roberson, Daryl Simmons, Antonio "L.A." Reid) 4:55
  10. "Love By Day, Love By Night" (Daryl Simmons, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Kevin Roberson) 4:54
  11. "He Said, She Said" (Dallas Austin, H. Randall Davis, Michael Weinstein) 4:05
  12. "Takin' My Time" (Reprise) 2:32

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes. [5]

Charts

Related Research Articles

<i>Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip</i> 1992 studio album

Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip is the debut studio album by American girl group TLC. It was released on February 25, 1992, by LaFace Records. The title of the album comes from the last line of Left Eye's rap on "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg".

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.

<i>Boomerang</i> (soundtrack) 1992 soundtrack album by various artists

Boomerang: Original Soundtrack Album is the soundtrack to Reginald Hudlin's 1992 film Boomerang. It was released on June 30, 1992, by LaFace Records. The album peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 and reached the top spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in August 1992 and eventually reached triple-platinum status by April 1995.

Love Shoulda Brought You Home 1992 single by Toni Braxton

"Love Shoulda Brought You Home" is the debut solo single by American singer Toni Braxton. It was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Daryl Simmons, and Bo Watson and produced by Edmonds and Simmons along with L.A. Reid. Originally written for singer Anita Baker, who had to decline due to her pregnancy, it was eventually recorded by Braxton and featured on the soundtrack to Reginald Hudlin's romantic comedy film Boomerang (1992). The song was later also included on Braxton's self titled debut album (1993). Lyrically, the slow-groove R&B song is saga of betrayal and infidelity that depicts a heartbroken Braxton.

You Mean the World to Me (Toni Braxton song) 1994 single by Toni Braxton

"You Mean the World to Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter Toni Braxton. It was written and produced by Antonio "L.A." Reid, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Daryl Simmons for her self-titled debut album (1993). Selected as the album's fourth single, it was released on CD on April 22, 1994 by LaFace and Arista Records. It peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, while reaching the top ten of the Canadian Singles Chart.

"Giving You the Benefit" is a song by American recording artist Pebbles from her second album Always (1990). Written and produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid, the song was released as the lead single from Always on August 11, 1990 by MCA Records.

<i>After 7</i> (album) 1989 studio album by After 7

After 7 is the self-titled debut album by After 7. Released in 1989, the album was certified platinum by the RIAA on November 27, 1990, and spawned two #1 R&B hits, "Ready or Not" and "Can't Stop." Those songs also reached #7 and #6, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Bobby</i> (Bobby Brown album) 1992 studio album by Bobby Brown

Bobby is the third studio album by American singer Bobby Brown, released in 1992 by MCA Records. The album continued the R&B/new jack swing sound of its predecessor, Don't Be Cruel. Babyface, L.A. Reid, and Daryl Simmons returned as producers and songwriters, however, Brown also worked with other producers, most notably Teddy Riley, who was considered a pioneer of the new jack swing genre. Riley also co-wrote and produced the majority of the album. Brown had more creative input and control of the album, becoming an executive producer and co-writing seven of the album's thirteen songs. The album received mixed reviews from music critics.

<i>Ralph Tresvant</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Ralph Tresvant

Ralph Tresvant is the self-titled debut album by American singer Ralph Tresvant. The album was released by MCA Records on November 20, 1990 in the United States. It went to number one on the Irish Albums Chart for 12 weeks, and on the US Top R&B Albums chart for two weeks and peaked into the top 20 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It features the number one single, "Sensitivity" along with two more top five R&B hits: "Do What I Gotta Do" and "Stone Cold Gentleman", which featured labelmate Bobby Brown, and has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Tender Lover</i> 1989 studio album by Babyface

Tender Lover is the second studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter and musician Babyface. 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.

<i>For the Cool in You</i> 1993 studio album by 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 four singles, the lead single "For the Cool in You", "Never Keeping Secrets", "And Our Feelings" 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.

<i>Provocative</i> (album) 1993 studio album by Johnny Gill

Provocative is the fourth album by American R&B recording artist Johnny Gill. It was his second album for Motown Records and fourth album overall.

<i>The Lover in Me</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Sheena Easton

The Lover in Me is the ninth studio album by Scottish singer Sheena Easton. It was released in November 1988 and was her debut for MCA. The album has a more Urban/R&B sound than Easton's previous recordings due to the production by well-known acts such as L.A. Reid, Babyface and John "Jellybean" Benitez. The album's title track became a major hit, reaching #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #15 on the UK Singles Chart. The album reached #44 on the US Billboard 200 and #30 in the UK Albums Chart, and was certified Gold by the RIAA. It is one of Easton's best selling albums to date and returned her to the US and UK charts. Significantly, in the UK it was her first charting album for over five years, with the lead single becoming her first top 20 hit in nearly eight years.

Daryl Simmons is an American R&B musician, songwriter and record producer, who worked with the production duo of L.A. Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. In 1977–1980 Daryl, with Manchild (band) recorded 2 soul & funk albums & the minor hit "Especially for You" on the Label Chi Sound Records, Manchild included: Kenneth Babyface Edmonds, Reggie Griffin, Charles "Chuckie" Bush & others.

<i>Eyes of a Stranger</i> (album) 1987 studio album by The Deele

Eyes of a Stranger is an album released by the R&B band The Deele in 1987.

<i>Material Thangz</i> 1985 studio album by The Deele

Material Thangz is the second album by The Deele. Released in 1985 on the SOLAR Records label, which was distributed by Elektra/Asylum Records, a division of Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by L.A. Reid. It's notable for the composition "Sweet November", composed by then-member Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, who also sung lead vocals on the composition. The song was later covered by R&B group Troop, who turned the song into a #1 R&B hit in 1992.

<i>Always</i> (Pebbles album) 1990 studio album by Pebbles

Always is the second studio album by American recording artist Pebbles. It was released on September 11, 1990 by MCA Records and spawned two Top 20 hits on the U.S. Hot 100, which also hit #1 on the R&B chart: "Giving You the Benefit" and "Love Makes Things Happen", as well as the top-five R&B hit "Backyard", and the top 20 R&B hit "Always".

My Kinda Girl (Babyface song)

"My Kinda Girl" is a song performed and co-written by Babyface, issued as the fourth and final single from his album Tender Lover. The song was also the fourth consecutive hit single from the album, peaking at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. Solar/Epic released 7 remixes of the recording with a remix of Whip Appeal in 1990, which was available CD single.

<i>The Boys</i> (American band the Boys album) 1990 studio album by the Boys

The Boys is the eponymous second album from American R&B group Suns of Light, released in September 18, 1990 via Motown Records. Although L.A. Reid and Babyface produced the bulk of their debut album Messages from the Boys, instead one song is produced by Daryl Simmons and Kayo, who were a part of the LaFace production and songwriting camp.

LaFace Records Record label

LaFace Records was an American record label based in Atlanta, Georgia, that operated as a unit of Sony Music Entertainment from 2008 to 2011 and was historically a part of Bertelsmann Music Group from 1989 to 2004. It was most active and achieved its greatest commercial success during the 1990s; dealing largely in the field of urban music. It was originally distributed by its co-creator Arista Records from 1989 through 2001; after which it was shuttered and absorbed into Arista. In 2004, the label was rebooted, and it began operating through Jive Records until both were absorbed into RCA Records in 2011. Today, the label's back catalog and reissues are managed by Legacy Recordings.

References

  1. 1 2 AllMusic review
  2. "Billboard Albums". All Media Guide / Billboard . Retrieved March 23, 2010.
  3. Cripps, Peter (July 17, 2012). "Sir Richard Branson eyes Virgin Records deal" . independent.co.uk. London. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  4. Hogan, Ed. "Kevon Edmonds". Music Biography. allmusic.som. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  5. After 7 - Takin' My Time (CD liner notes). Virgin Records America, Inc. 0777 7 86349 2 2
  6. "After 7, TLP" . Billboard . Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  7. "After 7, BLP" . Billboard . Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  8. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1992". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2021.