Toni Braxton

by Toni Braxton

Product Description:

Personnel: Toni Braxton (vocals); Vassal Benford, Vincent Herbert, Ben Garrison, Noelle Groin (various instruments); McArthur, Tomi M, Ernesto Phillips (guitars); Skip Pruitt (saxophone); Vance Taylor (acoustic piano, keyboards); Tim Thomas, Ted Bishop (keyboards, drums); Bo Watson (keyboards, programming); Rex Rideout (keyboards); Kayo, Orlando Phillips (bass); L.A. Reid (drums); DeRock (percussion); Debra Killings, Pamela Copeland, Tammy Davis, Keisha Jackson, Ty-V, Trina Broussard, Valerie Davis (background vocals).

Producers include: L.A. Reid, Babyface, Daryl Simmons, Kayo, Vassal Benford.

Engineers include: Jim Zumpano, John Rogers, Ron Horvath.

Toni Braxton won the 1994 Grammy Award for Best New Artist, and "Another Sad Love Song" won the 1994 Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

"Breathe Again" won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. "You Mean The World To Me" was nominated for Best R&B Song in 1995.

"I Belong To You" was nominated for a 1996 Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

TONI BRAXTON is a smashing debut. One of the best vocalists to break through the glut of R&B divas, the sultry Braxton gives the pretenders to the diva throne cause to re-evaluate their careers. It's going to be hard to compete against this stylist.

Concrete songwriting also helps the album rise above the others. Songs like "Another Sad Love Song" and "Seven Whole Days" are perfect vehicles for her dynamic vocal gymnastics, while the subdued ballad "Best Friend" comes to a slow boil, after simmering for 4 and 1/2 minutes.

Braxton's unique voice combined with original, impossible-to-label songs like the sexy standout "Breathe Again" show what magic first-rate producers like L.A. Reid and Babyface can do with an extraordinary singer. The proof is in the sales and the awards generated from this album; Braxton won the coveted 1994 Grammy Award for "Best New Artist."

Braxton caresses her lyrics with jazzy, Anita Baker-ish embellishments, slurred phrasing, breathy come-ons, and leaping octaves. She swings, sways, wails and wallops her way through this outstanding showcase.