Soul Talkin'

Soul Talkin'
Studio album by
Brenda Russell
Released1993
GenrePop, R&B
LabelEMI[1]
ProducerBrenda 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]

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[9]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[10]
The GazetteB+[6]
Los Angeles Times[11]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide[12]
USA Today[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 Williams4:15
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 Lins5:32
10."Who Are You?" (featuring Bobby Caldwell)Bill Cantos4:43
Total length:44:55

Personnel

  • Brenda Russell – vocals, vocal arrangements, arrangements (1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9), backing vocals (2, 3, 6), synth strings (5), guitar synthesizer (5), synthesizers (7)
  • Jeff Hull – keyboards (1, 4), synthesizer programming (1, 4), drums (1, 4), drum programming (1, 4), arrangements (1, 4), keyboard programming (9), intro sound effects (9)
  • Russell Ferrante – acoustic piano (2, 10), acoustic piano solo (3)
  • Greg Phillinganes – keyboards (2)
  • William "Smitty" Smith – Rhodes piano (2, 3), keyboards (6), organ (6), backing vocals (6)
  • Brad Cole – synthesizers (2, 7, 8), additional synthesizers (3), synth flute (5), synth percussion (6), keyboard programming (7, 8), drum programming (7, 8), arrangements (7, 8), drums (8)
  • David Swanson – synthesizers (2, 6), backing vocals (6)
  • Aaron Zigman – synthesizers (3)
  • Michael Ruff – acoustic piano (5)
  • Larry Williams – additional synthesizers (5), synth solo ending (5)
  • Ivan Lins – synthesizers (9), percussion (9), vocal solo (9), arrangements (9)
  • James Harrah – acoustic guitar (1), guitars (3, 8)
  • Ricardo Silveira – acoustic guitar (2, 4, 5), guitars (9)
  • Marlo Henderson – guitars (3)
  • Don Griffin – guitars (6)
  • Michael Thompson – guitars (7)
  • Bill Sharpe – electric bass (2), bass (3), backing vocals (6)
  • Abraham Laboriel – bass (6)
  • John Leftwich – acoustic bass (10)
  • Alvino Bennett – drums (2, 6)
  • Carlos Vega – drums (3, 10)
  • Lenny Castro – percussion (2, 3)
  • Luis Conte – percussion (6)
  • Cassio Duarte – percussion (9)
  • Mike Shapiro – percussion (10), arrangements (10)
  • Everette Harp – saxophones (2)
  • Scott Mayo – saxophones (2)
  • Reggie Young – trombone (2)
  • Michael "Patches" Stewart – trumpet (2)
  • Tollak Ollestad – harmonica (4)
  • Gary Herbig – woodwinds (5)
  • Dan Higgins – woodwinds (5)
  • Kim Hutchcroft – woodwinds (5)
  • Bob Tricarico – woodwinds (5)
  • Jerry Hey – woodwind arrangements (5)
  • Steve Lindsey – arrangements (8)
  • Bill Cantos – arrangements (10)
  • Maxayn Lewis – backing vocals (1, 2, 3, 6, 8)
  • Arnold McCuller – backing vocals (1, 8)
  • Joe Turano – backing vocals (1, 6, 8), acoustic piano (6), additional synthesizers (6)
  • Mica Paris – vocal inspiration (1)
  • Petsye Powell – backing vocals (2, 3, 6)
  • Paulette Brown – backing vocals (3, 6)
  • Amanda Hayley – backing vocals (3)
  • Carol Perry – backing vocals (4, 7, 9)
  • Darlene Perry – backing vocals (4, 7, 9)
  • Lori Perry – backing vocals (4, 7, 9)
  • Sharon Perry – backing vocals (4, 7, 9)
  • Rita Coolidge – backing vocals (6)
  • Louis Price – backing vocals (6)
  • Mary Wilson – backing vocals (6)
  • Dianne Brooks – backing vocals (8)
  • Pauline Wilson – backing vocals (8)
  • Bobby Caldwell – vocals (10)

Production

  • Brenda Russell – producer
  • Tommy Vicari – recording, mixing
  • Fletcher Dobrocke – recording (2, 3, 5, 6)
  • David Ahlert – additional recording (1, 3, 10)
  • Jeffrey "Woody" Woodruff – additional recording (2, 6), recording (7, 8, 9)
  • Tony Phillips – additional recording (2, 5, 6)
  • Erik Hanson – additional recording (3)
  • Micajah Ryan – additional recording (3)
  • Randy Long – assistant engineer (1-5, 7)
  • Judy Kirschner – recording assistant (2, 3)
  • Scott Ralston – recording assistant (2)
  • Jeff Shannon – recording assistant (2, 5)
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering
  • Debbie Wolinsky – production assistant
  • Henry Marquez – art direction
  • Lu Ann Graffeo – design
  • Daniela Federici – photography
  • Tanya Gill – stylist
  • Roberto Leon – hair stylist
  • Rudy Calvo – make-up

Studios

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. ^ a b Stride, Todd (August 29, 1993). "Music". The Gazette. p. F5.
  7. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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.
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