Toni Braxton's second album, Secrets, follows through on the promise of her eponymous debut. Like her first album, the majority of Secrets was co-produced by Babyface and his partner L.A. Reid, while the material is divided between songs written by outside songwriters like R. Kelly, Tony Rich, and Diane Warren and originals by Braxton and Babyface. Braxton and Babyface's collaborations are the highlights of the album, combining rich melodies and gorgeous choruses with subtle, clever lyrics that are never laced with clichés. Nearly equalling the original numbers are contributions by Tony Rich ("Come On Over Here") and R. Kelly ("I Don't Want To"); with these tracks, both musicians demonstrate why they are considered two of the top songwriters in '90s R&B and soul. Secrets does have a couple of weak moments. The numbers produced by David Foster are too predictable in their slick commercial appeal, but Braxton manages to infuse the songs with life and passion that elevates them beyond their generic confines. And her vocal talent is what unites Secrets and makes it into a first-rate contemporary R&B collection. Braxton is a singer who can cross over into the smooth confines of adult contemporary radio without losing or betraying the soul that lies at the foundation of her music, and her talent burns at its brightest on Secrets. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Babyface (Guitar (Acoustic)), Babyface (Guitar), Babyface (Guitar (Electric)), Babyface (Keyboards), Babyface (Vocals (Background)), Babyface (Producer), Babyface (Executive Producer), Kenny G (Saxophone), Jeremy Lubbock (Conductor), Jeremy Lubbock (String Arrangements), Marc Nelson (Vocals (Background)), David Foster (Arranger), David Foster (Programming), David Foster (Producer), Michael Thompson (Guitar (Electric)), Shanice (Vocals (Background)), Chanté Moore (Vocals (Background)), Toni Braxton (Vocals), Toni Braxton (Vocals (Background)), Toni Braxton (Main Performer), Toni Braxton (Executive Producer), Toni Braxton (Vocal Arrangement), Toni Braxton (Creative Director), R. Kelly (Arranger), R. Kelly (Vocals (Background)), R. Kelly (Multi Instruments), R. Kelly (Producer), R. Kelly (Mixing), Leslie Brathwaite (Engineer), Bob Brockman (Mixing), Luis Conte (Percussion), Keith Crouch (Organ), Keith Crouch (Arranger), Keith Crouch (Multi Instruments), Keith Crouch (Producer), Keith Crouch (Engineer), Keith Crouch (Vocal Arrangement), Nathan East (Bass), Felipe Elgueta (Engineer), Sherree Ford-Payne (Vocals (Background)), Simon Franglen (Synclavier), John Frye (Assistant Engineer), Jon Gass (Mixing), Brad Gilderman (Engineer), Mick Guzauski (Mixing), Reggie Hamilton (Bass), Brandon Harris (Assistant Engineer), Richard Huredia (Assistant Engineer), Booker T. Jones (Mixing), Billy Kinsley (Assistant Engineer), Eugene Lo (Engineer), Manny Marroquin (Engineer), Andrea Martin (Vocals (Background)), John Merchant (Assistant Engineer), Peter Mokran (Engineer), Peter Mokran (Mixing), Dean Parks (Guitar (Acoustic)), Greg Phillinganes (Synthesizer), Greg Phillinganes (Piano), Neil Pogue (Engineer), Herb Powers (Mastering), L.A. Reid (Executive Producer), L.A. Reid (Vocal Arrangement), Dave Reitzas (Engineer), Tony Rich (Arranger), Tony Rich (Vocals (Background)), Tony Rich (Multi Instruments), Tony Rich (Producer), Al Schmitt (Engineer), Soulshock (Arranger), Soulshock (Producer), Robbes Stieglitz (Assistant Engineer), Tim Thomas (Vocal Arrangement), Brad Haehnel (Assistant Engineer), Glen Marchese (Assistant Engineer), Bryce Wilson (Programming), Bryce Wilson (Drum Programming), Marnie Riley (Mixing Assistant), Randee Saint Nicholas (Photography), Ron Lowe (Mixing Assistant), Nigel Sawyer (Design), Davett Singletary (Art Direction), Paul Boutin (Assistant Engineer), Randy Walker (Programming), D.L. Warfield (Design), Kyle Bess (Assistant Engineer), Terri Apanasewicz (Make-Up), Frank González (Assistant Engineer), Brayn Reminic (?), Brayn Reminic (Assistant Engineer), Larry Schalit (Assistant Engineer), Ivy Scoff (Production Coordination), Elaine Wallace (Hair Stylist), Marie Davis (Hair Stylist), Carla Harrison (Hair Stylist), John Shrive (Assistant Engineer), Jakkai Butler (Vocals (Background)), Jin Choi (Assistant Engineer)
Secrets is the second studio album by American R&B singer–songwriter Toni Braxton, released in the United States on June 18, 1996 by LaFace Records. After selling eight million albums domestically of her debut album, earning a bevy of awards—including Best New Artist at the 1994 Grammy Awards—, and having consecutive top ten singles on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, a lot was riding on this project. Nearly three years after her eponymous debut, Secrets was released on June 18, 1996. The album was nominated for Best Pop Album at the 1997 Grammy Awards and has sold eight million copies in the U.S., and an additional 5+ million in overseas sales.
The first single released, "You're Makin' Me High", became a smash success earning Braxton her first number-one single on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the BillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. Its B-side, "Let It Flow", was another radio airplay smash and was featured on the multi-platinum 1995 Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. The second single, "Un-Break My Heart", became a monumental hit peaking at number one on the Hot 100 for eleven consecutive weeks, number one on the Hot Dance Club Play, and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, besides topping the singles charts in several other countries. After the triumph of two consecutive number-one singles, Braxton offered her third single, "I Don't Want To", during the spring of 1997. The R. Kelly-written and -produced single made the top twenty of the Hot 100 and the top ten of the R&B chart. Its B-side, "I Love Me Some Him", was a major radio airplay hit domestically. The fourth official single, "How Could an Angel Break My Heart", which features Kenny G on the saxophone, became another top forty hit in the United Kingdom while failing to dent the charts in the U.S., but propelled Secrets to eight-time platinum status. The album was well-received both critically and commercially. Braxton also added more awards to her mantle, which included another two Grammy Awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
