It was Aaron Hall's vocals that powered tracks like "My Fantasy" and "Jam" during his tenure as the lead singer of Guy. After Guy split in 1990, it was inevitable that Hall would go on to a solo career. Released in 1993, The Truth hit the shelves sounding dated in spots, due in part to the ever-changing style of early-'90s urban contemporary. Over the course of this debut solo album, Hall's use of the Gap Band's Charlie Wilson as a reference point does get tiring. More often than not, the production strength overshadows Hall's persona, which is barely there. Much to the dismay of many fans, Hall's 1991 big hit, "Don't Be Afraid," shows up here as a remix rather than the superior version released on the Juice soundtrack. That mistake makes this album less than it could have been. Truth be told, Hall's slick Romeo act was also a bust-out, as the top-notch weeper "I Miss You" has Hall giving the best performance here. "Don't Be Afraid (Sex You Down Some Mo' Version)," despite it's he-man subtitle, has Hall begging and calling himself "little ol' me." "Let's Make Love" steams it up successfully despite his showboating and breathy spoken intro. The last full track, "Until the End of Time," possesses a great melody and coasts on the good momentum of the better songs. Divorced from the new jack swing demands and crossover aims, The Truth is an enjoyable listen. ~ Jason Elias, All Music Guide
Jeremy Lubbock (Conductor), Laney Stewart (Engineer), Aaron Hall (Lyricist), Raymond Silva (Mixing Assistant), Ronald Spearman (Percussion), Don Wyatt (Keyboards), Mark Olson (Scratching), Scott Ralston (Engineer), Vassal Benford (Mixing), Craig Burbidge (Mixing), Judi Acosta-Stewart (Project Coordinator), Anthony Jeffries (Engineer), Tonya Harris (Vocals (Background)), Herb Powers (Mastering), Kevin Thomas (Engineer), Dieyelle Reed (Vocals (Background)), Laney Stewart (Programming), Jean-Marie Horvat (Mixing), Chris "Tricky" Stewart (Keyboards), Greg Barrett (Mixing Assistant), Richard Horniblow (Mixing Assistant), Sean "Sep" Hall (Remixing), Freddie "Ready Freddie" Washington (Bass), Willie Will (Mixing Assistant), Jeremy Lubbock (Arranger), Aaron Arce (Drum Programming), Vassal Benford (Instrumentation), Jean-Marie Horvat (Engineer), Vassal Benford (Arranger), Paula Payden (Vocals (Background)), Kip Collins (Programming), Ilene Weingard (Design), Aaron Hall (Vocals), Sean "Sep" Hall (Programming), Gregory Cauthen (Sequencing), Aaron Hall (Keyboards), Fred Washington (Bass), Curt Bisquera (Drums), Rolly Ladd (Mixing), Tonya Harris (Vocals), Cynthia Harrell (Vocals (Background)), Rolly Ladd (Mixing Assistant), Todd Gray (Photography), Cynthia Harrell-Vaughns (Vocals (Background)), Aaron Hall (Producer), David Betancourt (Mixing Assistant), Willie Will (Mixing), Keith Shocklee (Producer), Laney Stewart (Sequencing), Lisa Michelle (Stylist), David Betancourt (Mixing), Vassal Benford (Keyboards), Felicia Newsome (Production Coordination), Laney Stewart (Producer), Freddy Washington (Bass), Sean "Sep" Hall (Sequencing), Sean "Sep" Hall (Drum Programming), Jon Marshall (Vocals (Background)), Aaron Hall (Programming), Kevin "KD" Davis (Engineer), Sean "Sep" Hall (Composer), Richard Horniblow (Mixing), Louis Silas, Jr. (Mixing), Gregory Cauthen (Vocal Arrangement), Victor Flores (Mixing), Hank Shocklee (Producer), Victoria Cameron (Model), Paula Payden (Vocals), Gregory Cauthen (Producer), Felicia Newsome (Project Coordinator), Vassal Benford (Producer), Dave Retazas (Engineer), Aaron Hall (Vocals (Background)), Raymond Silva (Assistant Engineer), Louis Silas, Jr. (Executive Producer), Aaron Hall (Piano), Gregory Cauthen (Composer), Elliot Anders (Assistant Engineer), Vassal Benford (Programming), Gerald Albright (Saxophone), Chris "Tricky" Stewart (Sequencing), Ilene Weingard (Art Direction), Tonya Harris (?), Chris Stewart (Keyboards), Raymond Silva (Mixing), Gregory Cauthen (Arranger), Chris "Tricky" Stewart (Programming), Herschel Boone (Vocals (Background)), Victor Flores (Engineer), Reginald Woods (Saxophone), Kevin Thomas (Mixing), Gary G-Wiz (Producer), Lance Collier (Engineer), Randy Waldman (Keyboards), Sue Ann Carwell (Vocals (Background)), Sean "Sep" Hall (Keyboards), Aaron Hall (Vocal Arrangement), Gerald Albright (Soloist), Dave Brooks (Assistant Engineer), Gary G-Wiz (Composer), Hank Shocklee (Composer), Joi Marshall (Vocals (Background)), Laney Stewart (Keyboards), Chris "Tricky" Stewart (Remixing), Gregory Cauthen (Programming), Aaron Hall (Overdubs), Aaron Hall (Sequencing)
The Truth was the debut solo album by Aaron Hall, former lead singer of Guy, a new jack swing group. Hall's first solo single was Don't Be Afraid, from the soundtrack for Juice, and the single went on to be a #1 R&B chart hit.
The Truth was quite successful. Though it only peaked at #47 on the Billboard 200, it produced four successful singles, one even making it to the top 20 on the Hot 100.
