Notes & Personnel Info |  | This is a Hyper CD, which contains regular audio tracks and also provides a link to the artist's website with the help of a web browser. | | Personnel includes: Toni Braxton (vocals); Pharrell Williams (vocals, various instruments); Loon, The Big Tymers, Baby, Manny Fresh (rap vocals); Stokely (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Blake English, Tomi Martin (guitar); Keri Lewis (keyboards, programming); Ricky Kinchen (bass); Chris Dave (drums); Tamar Braxton (background vocals). | | Producers include: The Neptunes, Chink Santana, Irv Gotti, Rodney Jenkins, Keri. | | This is a Hyper CD, which contains regular audio tracks and also provides a link to the artist's website with the help of a web browser. | | Personnel: Toni Braxton (background vocals); Pharrell Williams (vocals); Mannie Fresh, Birdman (rap vocals); Keith Lewis, Ricky Rouse, Tomi Martin, Blake English (guitar); Stokley (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Assa Drori, Al Hershberger, Brian Benning, Rebecca Bunnell, Johana Krejci, Henry Gronnier, Sally Berman, Dennis Molchan, Patricia Aiken, Agnes Gottschewski, Irma Neumann, Phillipe Levy (violin); Jorge Moraga, Lynn Grants, Renita Koven, Thomas Dienner (viola); Maurice Grants, Earl Madison, Dan Smith (cello); Keri Lewis (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, drum programming); Babyface (keyboards, drum programming); Terrence "Bearwolf" Williams (keyboards); Drew Dembowski, Oscar Hidalgo (double bass); Chris 'Daddy' Dave (drums); Gerrard C. Baker (programming); Andrea Martin , Tamar Braxton (background vocals). | | Audio Mixers: Kevin "KD" Davis; Dexter Simmons; Victor Mancusi; Keri Lewis; Phil Tan; Serban Ghenea; Steve Hodge; Leslie Brathwaite; Blake English. | | Recording information: Baseway Studios, LA, CA; Brandon's Way Recording, LA, CA; Capitol Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Circle House Recording Studios, Miami, FL; DarkChild Studios, NJ; Denim's Den, LA, CA; Patchwerk Recording, Atlanta, GA; Sound on Sound Studios, New York, NY; The Enterprise, Burbank, CA; The Hit Factory-Criteria, Miami, FL; the Record Plant, Hollywood, CA; Track record; Westlake Studios, LA, CA. | | Editor: Keri Lewis. | | Photographers: Daniela Federici; Tony Duran. | | Arrangers: Ivan Matias; Keri Lewis; Andrea Martin ; Pharrell Williams; Brent Fischer; Chad Hugo. | | If there's any problem with More Than a Woman, Toni Braxton's fourth album, it's that it's so consistent, so much a continuation of its predecessor, The Heat, that it may be hard to pinpoint distinctive characteristics. Unlike that album, it lacks a single as undeniable as "He Wasn't Man Enough," yet much of this album is in a similar sexy spirit. It also doesn't have any ballads as seductive as "Un-break My Heart." In fact, few of the songs stand out, yet that doesn't mean they're bland or generic. They're simply cut from the same cloth and fit well together, particularly since they're given a nice, stylish production that's rarely flashy. The same could be said for Braxton's performance, since it's assured and sensual but never strutting. And that may be the problem with the record for some -- it's confident but not brassy, never overwrought. Unlike many diva dance-pop albums of 2002, it never tries too hard, so it was easy to overlook it, but it was easily one of the most satisfying listens of its kind released that year, and another fine record by Toni Braxton. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine | | Those who might have pegged quintessential R&B balladeer Toni Braxton as a monochromatic artist in the past will be taken up short by the variety of sonic colors on offer throughout MORE THAN A WOMAN. The moody, mid-tempo "Give it Back" boasts a bit of hip-hop flavor by virtue of a contribution from the Big Tymers. Loon lends a rap to "Hit the Freeway" as well, but the tune is set apart by its strikingly funky, urgent production. "Me and My Boyfriend" boasts some Spanish guitar amid its slinky grooves. | | All this eclecticism aside, it's obviously the ballad form in which Braxton excels, and she certainly gets a chance to strut her stuff here in that regard. However, even on these cuts, the production--incorporating everything from odd, strident electronic effects to distorted rock guitar--is so consistently inventive that there's no possibility of coming off with anything like a generic tune. |
Musical Guests | | Loon | | Big Tymers |
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