Back to Me (Fantasia Barrino album)

Back to Me
Studio album by Fantasia Barrino
Released August 24, 2010[1]
Recorded 2008–2010
Genre R&B, soul
Length 47:20
Label J
Producer Chuck Harmony, Rykeyz, Los Da Mystro, Claude Kelly, Ne-Yo, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin, Pop & Oak, Stereotypes
Fantasia Barrino chronology
Fantasia
(2006)
Back to Me
(2010)
Side Effects of You
(2013)
Singles from Back to Me
  1. "Bittersweet"
    Released: May 11, 2010
  2. "I'm Doin' Me"
    Released: September 28, 2010
  3. "Collard Greens & Cornbread[2]"
    Released: April 11, 2011

Back to Me is the third studio album by American singer Fantasia Barrino. It was released by J Records on August 24, 2010.[3] The album is her first studio album in four years since 2006's Fantasia. The album's title was suggested to her by comedian Steve Harvey, when Barrino visited his morning radio program.[4] The album sold 117,000 in its first week, debuting at number two on the US Billboard 200 and at number one on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, making it Fantasia's highest charting album as of September 2010.[5]

Background

The album was originally set for release in early 2010,[6] but after an underperforming first single and numerous leaks, J Records ordered more tracks for the album, postponing the album's release until further studio sessions, and stronger singles were recorded. Her label recruited Claude Kelly to add a more contemporary, commercial sound to the album.[7] The project's lead single, "Bittersweet" was released to iTunes on May 11, 2010, and was performed live on American Idol, while a new release date was set for July 27, 2010.[1] The album was again pushed back to August 10, 2010[8] and finally to August 24, 2010.[3]

To promote the album, Barrino embarked on her first solo concert tour, Back to Me Tour in the fall of 2010.[9]

Singles

Reception

Commercial

Back to Me sold 117,000 copies in its debut week earning Barrino a number two debut on the US Billboard 200 chart[23] and a total of 490,000 copies as of April 2013.[24]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic(70/100)[25]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[26]
Billboard(favorable)[27]
The Boston Globefavorable[28]
Entertainment WeeklyB[29]
Exclaim!favorable[30]
Los Angeles Times[31]
Rolling Stone[32]
Slant Magazine[33]
The New York Daily News[34]

Upon its release, Back To Me received generally positive reviews from most music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, it has so far received an average score of 70 based on 7 reviews.[25]

Ken Capobianco with The Boston Globe called the record "a strong comeback"[28] and went on to say that "Fantasia has matured [and] appears to be an artist reborn."[28] Mariel Concepcion with Billboard called it a "soulful, laid-back album with tinges of gospel"[27] and went on to say "her distinct voice is most enjoyable when singing heartfelt ballads.[27] Jim Farber with The New York Daily News called it "a wail of a comeback".[34] He also said it "outperforms the singer's first two works, with meatier hooks, firmer melodies, and a more shrewdly focused point of view."[34] Mikael Wood with Entertainment Weekly gave it a "B" rating, commenting "Fantasia's rough-hewn vocals shine best on The Thrill Is Gone."[29] Stephen Thomas Erlewine with Allmusic called it her "most interesting album", and commented saying that she was "reconnecting with her roots."[26]

However, Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine stated "the material [Fantasia] has been saddled with has been extraordinarily awful" but still described her positively as an "uninhibited, intuitive soul singer with a truly distinctive sense of phrasing and boundless passion".[33]

The album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Album.

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "I'm Doin' Me"  Charles Harmon, Claude Kelly  3:56
2. "Bittersweet"  Charles Harmon, Claude Kelly  3:58
3. "Man of the House"  Shaffer Smith, Ryan Williamson  3:20
4. "Who's Been Lovin' You?"  Carlos McKinney, Rico Love  3:38
5. "Collard Greens & Cornbread"  Warren 'Oak' Fleder, "Pop" Wansel, Tiwa Savage, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson  3:52
6. "Teach Me"  Fantasia Barrino, James Ho, kawan Prather, Jessyca Wilson,  4:12
7. "Move on Me"  Fantasia Barrino, James Ho, kawan Prather, Jessyca Wilson  4:08
8. "Trust Him"  Alonzo Mario Steveson, Tiffany Vilarrea, Tony Reyes, Herbert Rooney  3:12
9. "The Thrill Is Gone"  James Ho, kawan Prather, Jessyca Wilson, Thomas Callaway, Burt Bacharach(featuring Cee-Lo Green) 3:38
10. "Falling in Love Tonight"  Rico Love, James Scheffer, Daniel Morris  3:58
11. "Even Angels"  Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus, Jonathan Yip, Heather Bright  3:52
12. "I'm Here"  Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, Stephen Brayfrom The Color Purple musical 5:28
Total length:
45:59
Notes

Personnel

  • Chris Athens – mastering
  • Warren Luening, Larry Hall, Rick Baptist – trumpet
  • Yelena Yergorian, Josefina Vergara, Tammy Hatwan, Julie Rogers, Katia Popov, Searmi Park, Alyssa Park, Sid Page, Natalie Leggett, Neel Hammond, Henry Gronnier, Caroline Campbell, Charlie Bisharat – violin
  • Derek Blanks – photography
  • Jesse Bond, James Harrah – guitar
  • Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell, Allee Willis – producer
  • Tanisha Broadwater, Donnie Meadows, Kimberly L. Smith, David "Touch" Wright – production coordination
  • Robert Brophy, Brian Dembow, Thomas Diener, Alma Fernandez – viola
  • Ndugu Chancler – drums
  • Benjamin Chang, Jaymz Hardy-Martin III, Mike "TrakGuru" Johnson, Scott Naughton – engineer
  • Giovanna Clayton, Steve Erdody, Vanessa Freebairn-Smith, Tim Loo – celli
  • Los DaMystro – conductor, producer
  • Bruce Dukov – concert master, violin
  • Warren Felder, Fantasia, Claude Kelly, Tiffany Villarreal, Andrew Wansel – backing vocals
  • Frank Filipetti, Carlton Lynn, Robert – engineer, mixing
  • Ashanti "The Mad Violinist" Floyd – cello, viola, violin
  • Moses Gallart, Jesus Garnica, Chad Jolley, Giancarlo Lino, Conrad Martin, Aaron Walk, Jason Wilkie – assistant
  • Erwin Gorostiza – creative director
  • Chuck Harmony – bass, drums, guitar, producer, vocal producer
  • Dan Higgins, Greg Huckins, Joel Peskin – clarinet
  • Alex Iles, Bill Reichenbach, Reggie Young – trombone

Jaycen Joshua – mixing

  • Alphonso Johnson – bass
  • Jim Jonsin – keyboards, producer, programming
  • Joseph Joubert – arranger, conductor
  • Rico Love – producer, vocal producer
  • Graham Marsh – engineer, vocal engineer
  • Deaundra Metzger – hair stylist
  • Joe Mitchell – percussion
  • Danny Morris – keyboards
  • Keith Naftaly – A&R
  • Ne-Yo – producer, backing vocals
  • Greg Phillinganes – organ, synthesizer
  • Tony Reyes – bass, guitar
  • Victor Simonson – piano
  • Lucky Smyler – make-up
  • The Stereotypes – engineer, producer
  • Denise Trotman – art direction, design
  • Julian Vasquez – vocal engineer
  • Pamela Watson – stylist
  • Gina Zimmitti – contractor

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[37] 2
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[38] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2010) Position
US Billboard 200[39] 105
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[40] 30
Chart (2011) Position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[41] 51

References

  1. 1 2 Mansfield, Brian (June 14, 2010). "New Fantasia album due July 27 – Idol Chatter: American Idol News, Rumors, & Information". USA Today. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  2. "Fantasia to Perform New Single on 'American Idol'". The Boombox. April 1, 2010. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  3. 1 2 "ohnotheydidnt: Fantasia Barrino's Album Still Set for Release on August 24". ohnotheydidnt.com. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  4. "FANTASIA TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM, BACK TO ME, ON AUGUST 10TH". fantasiaofficial. Archived from the original on 15 July 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  5. "Katy Perry Doubles Up No. 1s on Billboard 200, Digital Songs Charts". Billboard. 2010-09-01. Archived from the original on 31 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  6. "FANTASIA PREPS NEW ALBUM FOR 2010!". globalgrind.com. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  7. "SongwriterUniverse – Claude Kelly Article". songwriteruniverse.com. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  8. "Say What: Fantasia Shoots For August, Credits Steve Harvey". blog.singersroom.com. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  9. "Fantasia Announces Back To Me Tour". Fantasia Barrino's Official Website. Sony Music Entertainment. 2010-09-28. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  10. "Fantasia Barrino's Comeback - Oprah.com". Oprah.com. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  11. "Fantasia Performs ‘Bittersweet’ On Idol". thatgrapejuice.net. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  12. "Fantasia On "106 & Park" Video". vodpod.com. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  13. "Video: Fantasia On 106 And Park". entertainmentrundown.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  14. "Fantasia Moves Forward Despite Personal Challenges". Billboard.com. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  15. "Bittersweet – Fantasia". Billboard. Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  16. "Fantasia Music News & Info". Billboard. September 2, 2010. Archived from the original on 1 September 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  17. "Fantasia Debuts Next Single, ‘I’m Doin’ Me’ on Upcoming TV Appearances". MJ's Big Blog. September 1, 2010. Archived from the original on 4 September 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  18. Reiher, Andrea (September 2, 2010). "Fantasia debuting new single 'I'm Doin' Me,' Asia'h Epperson to be charged with battery". Zap2it. Retrieved September 2, 2010 http://www.billboard.com/artist/1496871/fantasia/chart. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  19. "Fantasia Back on American Idol Stage". Your Daily News Fix. April 1, 2010. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  20. "Fantasia Barrino – Fantasia Barrino Wows In American Idol Return". Dime Wars. April 1, 2010. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  21. "Fantasia’s "Collard Greens And Cornbread" Goes to Radio April 11". 2011-03-30. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  22. Billboard chart – Collard Greens & Cornbread
  23. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956562/katy-perry-doubles-up-no-1s-on-billboard-200-digital-songs-charts
  24. "Fantasia Talks 'Side Effects of You' Album & Confidence". Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  25. 1 2 "Back To Me reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 16 August 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  26. 1 2 "allmusic ((( Back to Me > Overview )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
  27. 1 2 3 Concepcion, Mariel (2010-08-13). "Fantasia, "Back to Me"". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  28. 1 2 3 Capobianco, Ken (August 11, 2010). "Fantasia, 'Back to Me' – The Boston Globe". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 27 August 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  29. 1 2 Wood, Mikael (August 11, 2010). "Back To Me (2010)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 15 August 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  30. Bauer, Matt. "Fantasia – Back to Me". Exclaim!. exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on 2013-04-03. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  31. "Pop & Hiss". The Los Angeles Times. August 23, 2010.
  32. Michaelangelo Matos (2010-08-23). "Back to Me | Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  33. 1 2 Keefe, Jonathan (August 23, 2010). "Fantasia: Back To Me". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  34. 1 2 3 Farber, Jim (August 10, 2010). "Fantasia Barrino 'Back to Me' review: 'American Idol' winner makes a wail of a comeback album". New York: NY Daily News. Archived from the original on 18 August 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  35. "Japanese Release". HMV Japan. Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  36. "RICHGIRL – MOVE ON ME (FEAT. FANTASIA) (CAN YOU AFFORD ME MIXTAPE 2012)". PBTube. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  37. "Fantasia – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Fantasia.
  38. "Fantasia – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Fantasia.
  39. "2010 Year-End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  40. "2010 Year-End Charts – Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  41. "2011 Year-End Charts – Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
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