| Product Summary | | Label: Wea/warner Bros. | | UPC: 00093624707226 | | Release Date: 4/27/1999 | | Buy.com Sku: 60300835 | | Item#: MYHYGK | | Buy.com Sales Rank: 25050 | Format:  CD |
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| The sophisticated, oh-so-very-smooth soul of Eric Benet adds some major funk on his second album, A Day In The Life. While remaining one of the more distinctive and elegant of soulsters, with a classic R&B touch, this charismatic singer-songwriter now breaks out with an R&B flow and pop flavor.
| | Album Notes and Credits |
Notes & Personnel Info |  | This is an Enhanced audio CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. | | Personnel includes: Eric Benet (vocals); Roy Ayers (vocals, vibraphone); Faith Evans, Tamia, Me'Shell Ndegeocello (vocals); Demonte Posey, Ali Shaheed Muhammad (various instruments); "Spanky" Alford (guitar, bass); George Nash Jr. (acoustic, funk box & nylon guitars); Jazzy G., Isaac Phillips, Kenya B. (guitar); Igor Szwec, Emma Kummrow (violin); Davis Barnett (viola); Larry Gold, Heidi Vincent (cello); James Poyser (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); Edsel Gomez (piano); Brian A. Morgan (keyboards, bass, drum programming, background vocals); Leslie Butler (keyboards); Marlon Simon (percussion); Sauce (drum & keyboard programming); Brian Frazier Moore (drum programming); Shari Watson, Tracy Nelson, Fuzzy (background vocals). | | Producers include: Ali Shaheed Muhammed, Wyclef Jean, Eric Benet, George Nash Jr., Demonte Posey. | | Engineers include: Jon Smeltz, Eric Benet, Domonte Posey. | | "Spend My Life With You" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. | | This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. | | Personnel: Eric Benet (vocals, background vocals); Roy Ayers (vocals, vibraphone); Faith Evans, Me'Shell Ndeg?ocello, Tamia (vocals, background vocals); George Nash, Jr. (guitar, acoustic guitar, nylon-string guitar); Kenya B. (guitar, keyboard programming, drum programming); Jazzy G, Isaac Phillips, Spanky Alford, Eddie Alford (guitar); Lee Jef Johnson, Jef Lee Johnson (electric guitar, 12-string guitar); Igor Szwec, Emma Kummrow (violin); Davis Bernett, Davis A. Barnett (viola); Heidi Vincent, Larry Gold (cello); James Poyser (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Demont? Posey (piano, bass synthesizer, drums); Edsel Gomez (piano); Leslie Butler (keyboards); Brian Frazier Moore (drums, drum programming); Frazier Moore (snare drum); Marlon Simon (percussion); Brian Alexander Morgan (programming, keyboard programming, drum programming, background vocals); Ali Shaheed Muhammad (programming); Sauce (keyboard programming, drum programming); Shari Watson, Fuzzy, Tracy Nelson (background vocals). | | Audio Mixers: Kevin "KD" Davis; Larry Funk. | | Recording information: Electric Lady Studio, NY; Glowy Studios, NJ; Larrabee North Studios, N, Holl; Larrabee Studios, N. Hollywood, CA; REcord Plant, L.A., CA; River Sound Studios, NY; Sony Studios, New York, NY; Studio, Philad; The 'B'-Section, Elk Grove, CA; The Crib, Milwaukee, WI; The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA; The Studio, PA; The Trakhouse, Chino Hills, CA; Trakhouse, Chino Hills, CA; Westlake Audio, Hollywood, CA. | | Photographers: Melanie Nissen; Brad Hitz. | | On his second album of urban adult contemporary, singer/songwriter Eric Benet scores with a series of mellow grooves and sizzling duets aimed at both the body and brain. A Day in the Life is sharper than contemporary R&B, keeping the arrangements and production simple, all the while nodding toward the genre's golden era of the '70s (which is also evident in the album's Toto and Kansas covers). Benet does, however, play the same loverman role on most of the songs here, never quite allowing them or his tranquil voice to stretch (and sometimes breathe). The best cuts, though -- Toto's "Georgy Porgy" with Faith Evans and "Spend My Life With You" (featuring Tamia) -- are velvety modern soul soaked in traditional sounds. ~ Michael Gallucci | | Though he's possessed of a sensual vocal style employed in the service of romantic contemporary R&B, Eric Benet is far removed from the R. Kelly school of overemoting and crass carnality. There was obviously no expense spared in creating the complex textures that define A DAY IN THE LIFE, but the overall impression is one of an artist who doesn't have to overstate his case. Benet keeps things understated in his singing as well as in the album's production. The presence of guests like Roy Ayers and Me'Shell N'Degeocello reinforces the notion that Benet isn't just another dime-a-dozen crooner, but rather a highly developed artist capable of making the very individual statement that is A DAY IN THE LIFE. |
Musical Guests | | Faith Evans | | Tamia | | Roy Ayers | | Me'Shell NdegeOcello |
| | Compilation Appearances |
| | Technical Info | | Release Date : 04/27/1999 | | Original Release Date : 1999 | | Catalog ID : 47072 | | Label : Warner Bros. Records (Record Label) | | Number of Discs : 1 | | Runtime : 63m : 32s | | Studio/Live : Studio | | Mono/Stereo : Stereo | | SPAR Code : n/a | | UPC : 00093624707226 |
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| | Professional Reviews | | Entertainment Weekly (4/30/99, p.96)
- "...Benet's latest...soars, thanks to his five-octave vocal sincerity and transcendent soul stylings. This savory homage to '70s soul is so unique it can't be contained in today's urban-music category..." - Rating: AQ (6/99, p.100)
- (4 out of 5)
- Excellent - "...[A DAY IN THE LIFE] is not only rich with unusual, inventive touches but allows Benet the space to show off his singing to better effect, from scat to gospel, from polished harmonies to Stevie Wonder. Soul album of the year already?" Muzik (4/9, p.105)
- 5 stars (out of 5)
- "...superceded his first [album] with his subtle mix of sweet and bluesy soul music....oozing respectability from start to finish....[a] hot contender for soul album of the year." The Source (5/99, p.226)
- "...With his aching, soaring tenor, he delivers love songs that work as much on the head....Eric Benet proves that his is a voice that must be heard." Rap Pages (5/99, p.149)
- "...Benet's follow-up to his highly acclaimed but rarely played debut...is a blend of feel-good, sing-along tunes....A DAY IN THE LIFE explores the mind of Eric...and his past experiences..." |
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