Back Again [Clean]

• Artist: Mr. Cheeks
• Rating:
• Release Date: March 18, 2003
• Genre: Rap

Review

Mr. Cheeks hyped this album long and hard in the press during 2002, proclaiming to whomever was in earshot that he was making "the best damn rap album period," an obvious play on the successful sports talk show. While show hosts Tom Arnold and John Salley are nowhere within earshot of this record, Mr. Cheeks comes forward with easily his most accomplished record since his days in the Lost Boyz. Thematically, Cheeks uses Back Again! as therapy; it features raw and unapologetic confessionals about life, covering the usual base of topics you'd expect to hear. The production is clean and tight throughout, with "Crush on You," a duet with Mario Winans, being the album's masterpiece. The cast of guest artists (Pete Rock, C.L. Smooth, Floetry, etc.) is top-notch and highlights Cheeks' versatility in rapping over harder-edged street beats as well as the smoother R&B tunes. Thankfully absent of self-indulgent skits, obligatory shout-out intros, and other filler common in hip-hop records, there's nothing particularly innovative about Back Again!, but it's a solid party album worth your hard-earned dough. [Back Again! is also available in a clean version.] ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Supposed To	Mr. Cheeks	Mr. Cheeks, Floetry	(5:44)
Reminisce 03'	Mr. Cheeks	C.L. Smooth, Pete Rock, Mr. Cheeks, Journalist	(3:50)
The Hussle	Mr. Cheeks	M.O.P., Mr. Cheeks	(4:49)
Hands High	Mr. Cheeks, R. Harrell	Mr. Cheeks	(3:57)
I Apologize	G. Lewis, Mr. Cheeks, R. Harrell	Mr. Cheeks, Glenn Lewis	(4:35)
Crush on You	Jerry Knight, Mario Winans, Mr. Cheeks	Mario Winans, Mr. Cheeks	(3:54)
Let's Get Wild	Mr. Cheeks, R. Harrell	Mr. Cheeks, Floetry	(4:04)
The Wire	Mr. Cheeks	Mr. Cheeks	(5:04)
Back Again	Norman Whitfield, Mr. Cheeks, R. Harrell	Mr. Cheeks	(3:19)
Pimpalicious	J. Graham, Mr. Cheeks	Mr. Cheeks	(4:06)
Brighter	James Harris, Mr. Cheeks	Alexander O'Neal, Mr. Cheeks	(4:50)

Credits

Rich Keller (Mixing), Tommy Martin (Guitar), Rob Paustian (Engineer), Rob Paustian (Mixing), Doug Wilson (Engineer), Doug Wilson (Mixing), Mario Winans (Producer), Mario Winans (Instrumentation), Diddy (Producer), Eloise Bryan (A&R), Jim Caruana (Engineer), Jim Caruana (Mixing), Christian Lantry (Photography), Sandy Brummels (Creative Director), Jackie Rhinehart (Marketing), Hernán Santiago (Mixing), James Cruz (Mastering), Mr. Cheeks (Main Performer), Charles Suitt (Executive Producer), Charles Suitt (A&R), Big Baby (Keyboards), Monica Morrow (Stylist), Chuck Madness (Programming), Chuck Madness (Producer), Charmaine Edwards (Executive Producer), Charmaine Edwards (A&R), Kamel Abdo (Engineer), Wayne Allison (Engineer), Caleb Shreve (Engineer), Valencia Bruch, Annalee (Art Direction), Valencia Bruch, Annalee (Design), Eric Weissman (Sample Clearance), Nina Freeman (A&R)