The Essential Babyface

• Artist: Babyface
• Rating:
• Release Date: June 10, 2003
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

After his stint with the Deele in the late '70s, Babyface (along with co-conspirator L.A. Reid) almost single-handedly set the standard of commercial adult contemporary R&B since the early '80s, when he rose to prominence as an in-demand songwriter and producer. He's been responsible for an armada of hits rivaled by only a few other producer/songwriters in modern commercial chart history, writing hits for Madonna, Boyz II Men, Eric Clapton, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and a legion of other artists. However, within that span of time his solo efforts have been sorely overlooked by mainstream audiences, being primarily accepted only by die-hard R&B fans. This makes the Essential Babyface release all the more important, as it's a survey of just his works and not productions of other artists. It's a comprehensive look at his career, from the quiet storm ballads of his early years like "Whip Appeal" to the up-tempo urban radio hits like "How Come, How Long" (featuring guest vocals by Stevie Wonder), and leaves no stone unturned in between. Unlike his 2000 collection, Essential Babyface doesn't rely so much on his productions for other artists, which makes it instantly appealing to die-hard fans and gives casual listeners an appreciation of the depths of Babyface's talent. The only exception comes from his MTV Unplugged medley, featuring two of his all-time biggest productions: the Boyz II Men anthems "I'll Make Love to You" and "End of the Road." The Essential Babyface is easily the strongest representation to date of Babyface as an artist, and not just a producer/songwriter. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
I Said I Love You (Lyrics)	Babyface	Babyface	(4:05)
Never Keeping Secrets (Lyrics)	Babyface	Babyface	(4:50)
Every Time I Close My Eyes (Lyrics)	Babyface	Mariah Carey, Babyface, Kenny G	(4:57)
Talk to Me (Lyrics)	Babyface	Babyface	(4:54)
When Can I See You (Lyrics)	Babyface	Babyface	(3:49)
For the Cool in You (Lyrics)	Daryl Simmons, Babyface	Babyface	(4:53)
My Kinda Girl (Lyrics)	L.A. Reid, Babyface, Daryl Simmons	Babyface	(4:39)
Whip Appeal (Lyrics)	Babyface, Perri Reid	Babyface	(5:47)
Soon as I Get Home (Lyrics)	Babyface	Babyface	(5:08)
Well Alright [From Poetic Justice]	Babyface	Babyface	(4:00)
The Day (That You Gave Me a Son)	Babyface	Babyface	(4:26)
How Come, How Long	Babyface, Stevie Wonder	Babyface, Stevie Wonder	(5:11)
This Is for the Lover in You (Lyrics)	Dana Meyers, Howard Hewett	LL Cool J, Jeffrey Daniels, Howard Hewett, Jody Watley, Babyface	(4:01)
Medley: I'll Make Love to You/End of the Road [Live]	L.A. Reid, Daryl Simmons, Babyface	Babyface	(2:01)
Medley: I'll Make Love to You/End of the Road (Continued) [Live]	Babyface, Daryl Simmons, L.A. Reid	Babyface	(3:53)

Credits

Dede O'Neal (Vocals (Background)), Eric Clapton (Guitar), Reggie C. Young (Trombone), Jeffrey Daniels (Vocals), Bo Watson (Keyboards), Rick Day (Photography), Stevie Wonder (Harmonica), De Rock (Percussion), Ricky Lawson (Drums), Howard Hewett (Vocals (Background)), Ron Kellum (Design), Ray Brown (Trumpet), Kenneth Crouch (Piano), Beverly Crowder (Vocals (Background)), L.A. Reid (Drums), Jody Watley (Vocals), Daryl Simmons (Producer), Bo Watson (Musical Direction), Gerald Albright (Sax (Tenor)), Joseph M. Palmaccio (Mastering), Stevie Wonder (Vocals), Babyface (Guitar (Acoustic)), Babyface (Drum Programming), L.A. Reid (Producer), Babyface (Keyboards), William Ross (String Arrangements), Tim Carmon (Keyboards), Oscar Brashear (Trumpet), Melvin Edmonds (Vocals (Background)), L.A. Reid (Percussion), Kenny G (Saxophone), Harry Langdon (Photography), Marc Nelson (Vocals (Background)), Reggie Griffin (Keyboards), Babyface (Vocals), Mariah Carey (Vocals (Background)), Babyface (Vocals (Background)), John "J.R." Robinson (Drums), John Atashian (Photography), Nathan East (Bass), Randee Saint Nicholas (Photography), Rick Day (Cover Photo), Ron Kellum (Art Direction), Kayo (Bass), Greg Phillinganes (Piano), Kevon Edmonds (Vocals (Background)), Stevie Wonder (Vocals (Background)), Sheila E. (Percussion), Babyface (Producer), Kayo (Synthesizer Bass), Leo Sacks (Compilation Producer), Neal Preston (Photography), Jody Watley (Vocals (Background)), Wayne Linsey (Keyboards), Michael Hart Thompson (Guitar), Shanice Wilson (Vocals (Background)), Larry Johnson (Saxophone), William Ross (Conductor), Howard Hewett (Vocals)

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