Pulse (Toni Braxton album)

Pulse
Studio album by Toni Braxton
Released May 4, 2010 (2010-05-04)
Recorded September 2008–March 2010
Genre
Length 42:18
Label Atlantic
Producer Frank E, David Foster, Vincent Herbert (exec.), Craig Kallman (also exec.), Steve Mac, Harvey Mason, Jr., Oak, Lucas Secon, Troy Taylor, Dapo Torimiro[1]
Toni Braxton chronology
Libra
(2005)		 Pulse
(2010)		 Love, Marriage & Divorce
(2014)
Singles from Pulse
  1. "Yesterday"
    Released: November 20, 2009
  2. "Hands Tied"
    Released: February 9, 2010
  3. "Make My Heart"
    Released: February 9, 2010

Pulse is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Toni Braxton. It was released on May 4, 2010, by Atlantic Records. This is her first album in five years and serves as her debut for the Atlantic label, after signing a new record deal. Production for the album took place during September 2008 to March 2010, while it was handled by several record producers, including David Foster, Harvey Mason, Jr., Frank E, Oak, Lucas Secon and Dapo Torimiro. Pulse features up-tempo songs and R&B ballads with production varying from smooth to dance-based styles.

The album debuted at number 9 on the US Billboard 200, selling 54,000 copies in its first week. The album became Braxton's fifth US top-ten album, while it was produced by three singles, that achieved moderate chart success. Upon its release, Pulse received positive reviews from most music critics. As of February 26, 2014, Pulse has sold 156,000 copies in the United States.[2]

Background

In October 2009, Atlantic Records chairman Craig Kallaman revealed that the label had signed Braxton and had the following to say "Last year [2008], we had the rare opportunity to bring another R&B icon into the Atlantic family, and for me it was an opportunity of a lifetime. Toni Braxton is not only one of the greatest voices of all time, but she is a charismatic superstar with an incredible list of achievements."[3]

Production for the album took place during September 2008 to March 2010 and was handled by several record producers, including David Foster, Harvey Mason, Jr., Frank E, Oak, Lucas Secon, and Dapo Torimiro.[1][4] The entertainment outlet Rap-Up revealed that Braxton's album would feature collaborations with Lucas Secon; Harvey Mason, Jr.; Oak; and Troy Taylor[3] as well as collaborations with Robin Thicke, Trey Songz, Usher[5] and other reported collaborations included Claude Kelly, Frank E, Steve Mac, Dapo Torimiro and David Foster.[3] R&B songwriter and singer Ne-Yo also worked on songs for the album.[6]

Speaking of the thinking behind titling the album 'Pulse', Braxton explained to UK R&B writer Pete Lewis - Deputy Editor of Blues & Soul - in May 2010: "It comes from when I got ill. I went into cardic rehab, and there was this older lady there. She was like 'What are you doing here so young? It must have been your heart. You know what? This is my fourth heart-attack and you're so young, you can't be AFRAID! You can't stop LIVING!'... Then she told me how she'd just got back from holiday with her 40-year-old boyfriend! And because I'd lost hope - the doctors had told me I'd never be able to record again - her conversation was like that heartbeat, that pulse that gave me back the love of life."[7]

Music

In an interview with Digital Spy, Braxton explained that she have been recorded around 30 songs and would like to collaborate with artists, such as Alicia Keys.[4] Braxton also explained the delay of the album: "The album was supposed to come out in February, but we held it back because seven of the ten songs we picked were leaked. We decided to go back to the studio, record four or five more songs and then pick. Now we send everything via Federal Express - nothing's going through the internet - and that's why none of the new songs have leaked so far."[4] The song "Woman" is a cover version of the original song by Delta Goodrem from her 2007 album Delta.[8]

For the collaborations which none of them made the final album pressings. However, the deluxe edition of the album on the iTunes Store[9] contains several of them as bonus tracks including the remix of "Yesterday" featuring Trey Songz, "The Wave" written by Jesse McCartney and Makeba Riddick, "Stay", "Rewind" and "Yesterday (Cutmore Radio Remix)". It also features the high publicised "Caught (Don't Take Your Hat Off)" featuring Academy Award winning actress Mo'Nique,[10] who appears in the middle of the song with a dramatic monologue.[11]

The collaboration with R&B singer Robin Thicke called "Don't Leave" would have featured on Braxton's vocals with Thicke providing production.[12] Whilst the high profile collaboration with fellow R&B singer Usher also failed to materialize.[5] Amongst reports that Braxton was working with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, a song tipped to be produced by Darkchild called "Get Loose" was also omitted from the album.[13] Additionally reggae singer Sean Paul recorded some vocals for a remix of "Lookin' At Me" but it is currently unknown what will become of the remix since it is not featured on the album.[14]

Release and promotion

The album were scheduled to be released in 2009, but it was then being pushed back to February 2, 2010, before ultimately being released May 4, 2010, by Atlantic Records.[15] Braxton told Rap-Up, that the album had been pushed back, because all 7 of those album's ten songs were leaked and so she has decided to go back into the studio to begin recording some new songs.[16] The official cover art of the album was released on March 9, 2010.[17] Amazon.com streamed a different song from Pulse each week up until the album's release day.[18] Braxton performed "Make My Heart" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on April 27, 2010, The Wendy Williams Show and gave an interview on Good Day L.A..[19] On May 3, 2010, she performed "Hands Tied" and "Breathe Again" on The Mo'Nique Show.[20] "Hands Tied" was also performed on May 4, 2010 on The Today Show along with her most successful single "Un-Break My Heart".[21]

Singles

The album's first single, "Yesterday" was released digitally on November 20, 2009. This version, which features guest vocals from a fellow singer Trey Songz, was also released with the latter serving as the US single, whilst the former was serviced internationally. The song peaked at number 12 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

The music video for two singles; "Hands Tied" and "Make My Heart" with director Bille Woodruff, who worked with Braxton previously, including on the videos for "Un-Break My Heart" and "He Wasn't Man Enough".[22] The video for "Make My Heart" premiered on April 13[23] whilst the video for "Hands Tied" was released on April 14, 2010.[24] "Hands Tied" has so far peaked at No. 29 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[25][26]

Other songs

The music video for the song "Woman" premiered June 28, 2010, on Yahoo! Music. The video shows a live performance of the song.[27]

Reception

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 9 on the US Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 54,000 copies, making it Braxton's fifth US top-ten album.[28] It also entered at number one on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[29] In its second week, Pulse drop to number 22 and has sold 16,588 in the United States. On the third week, the album drop to number 41. In Canada, Pulse debuted at number 72 on the Top 100 Albums chart,[30] and in the United Kingdom, it debuted at number 28 on the Top 40 Albums and at number 7 on the R&B Albums chart.[31][32]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic(71/100)[33]
Review scores
SourceRating
411Mania(6.5/10)[34]
About.com[35]
Allmusic[36]
Billboard(favorable)[37]
BBC Music(mixed)[38]
The Boston Globe(favorable)[39]
Robert Christgau[40]
Los Angeles Times[41]
USA Today[42]
The Washington Post(favorable)[43]

Upon its release, the album received positive reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 71/100 from Metacritic.[33] Allmusic writer Andy Kellman gave it 4 out of 5 stars and commended its material's themes, noting "a high level of conviction that does not waver, and it's particularly impressive given that the album covers so many stages of a romantic relationship".[36] USA Today's Steve Jones gave the album 3 out of 4 stars and viewed it as "a return to form" for Braxton.[42] Ken Capobianco of The Boston Globe gave Pulse a positive review and wrote favorably of its execution, stating "Braxton and her star producers and songwriters mix old-school R&B balladry and modern dance pop while always keeping that luxurious voice as the focus".[39]

In contrast, Los Angeles Times writer Mikael Wood gave it 2 out of 4 stars and expressed a mixed response to "her attempt to keep up with" contemporary R&B artists, writing that "the flimsy material can't quite conceal her hit-hungry desperation".[41] BBC Music's Natalie Shaw shared a similar sentiment, writing that the album "misfires when its slower numbers are interspersed with uptempo tracks ready-made for the younger market".[38] Mark Edward Nero of About.com gave the album 3 out of 5 stars and wrote that "no new ground is broken, no significant risks are taken and the album as a whole is doesn't really have any must-hear tracks", but recommended it to listeners of Braxton's previous work and noted that she "can still sing strongly and passionately".[35] The Washington Post's Sarah Godfrey commended the album's "club tracks" and wrote favorably of Braxton's "trusty album architecture of scorching dance songs, soft-focused up-tempo ballads and "Un-Break My Heart"-style tear-jerkers without going too over-the-top".[43]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Yesterday"  Justin Franks, Jerome Armstrong, Michael White, Terrance Battle, Toni BraxtonDJ Frank E 3:48
2. "Make My Heart"  Lucas Secon, Makeba Riddick, Joseph Freeman, Aubreya Gravatt, Theodore Life, Jr.Secon 3:27
3. "Hands Tied"  Harvey Mason, Jr., Warren "Oak" Felder, Heather BrightOak, Mason, Jr. 3:53
4. "Woman" (Delta Goodrem cover)Steve Mac, Wayne HectorMac, David Foster 3:51
5. "If I Have to Wait"  Busbee, Jud Friedman, Allan Rich, BraxtonBusbee 3:56
6. "Lookin' at Me"  Secon, RiddickSecon 3:20
7. "Wardrobe"  Dernst Emile, Adonis Shropshire, Mason, Jr.D'Mile 3:31
8. "Hero"  Mason, Jr., Kara DioGuardi, Kasia Livingston, James Fauntleroy II, Steve RussellMason, Jr. 4:32
9. "No Way"  Michael WarrenWarren 3:31
10. "Pulse"  Charles Harmon, Christopher JacksonChuck Harmony, Simon Franglen 3:47
11. "Why Won't You Love Me"  Braxton, Mason, Jr.Mason, Jr., Braxton 4:42
Total length:
 42:18

Personnel

Credits for Pulse adapted from liner notes.[48]

Management
Technical
  • Vocals - Toni Braxton
  • Producers - Toni Braxton, Busbee, Warren "Oak" Felder, David Foster, Simon Franglen, Justin "DJ Frank E" Franks, Chuck Harmony, Steve Mac, Harvey Mason Jr., D'Mile, Madd Scientist, Lucas Secon, Troy Taylor, Michael Warren
  • Musicians - Paul Bailey, Steve Brewster, Toni Braxton, Jimmy Carter, City of Prague Philhomic Orchestra, Don E, Oak, Paul Franklin, Frank E, Andrew Hey, John Hobbs, Jeff King, Josh Lopez, Jacob Luttrell, Harvey Mason Jr., John Paracelli, Lucas Secon, Troy Taylor, Bobby Terry, Dapo Torimiro, Michael Warren, Brandon White
  • Background Vocals: Tamar Braxton, Toni Braxton, Heather Bright, James Fauntleroy, Makeba Riddick, Lucas Secon
Art and imagery
  • Art direction and design - Mark Obriski
  • Hair stylist - Chuck Amos
  • Photography - Indrani, Markus Klinko, Walter Tabayoyong
  • Make-up - Fran Cooper
  • Stylist - G.K. Reid, Beagy Zielinski

Charts

Chart positions

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Australian Urban Albums Chart[49] 22
Austrian Albums Chart[50] 32
Canadian Albums Chart[30] 72
Dutch Albums Chart[51] 83
European Top 100 Albums[52] 31
German Albums Chart[53] 18
Greek Albums Chart[51] 14
South African Albums Chart[54] 12
Swiss Albums Chart[50] 9
UK Albums Chart[31] 28
UK R&B Chart[32] 7
US Billboard 200[28] 9
US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[29] 1

Chart procession and succession

Preceded by
B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray by B.o.B		 US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums number-one album
May 22, 2010 		Succeeded by
Raymond v. Raymond by Usher

Release history

Region Date Label Catalog
United States May 4, 2010[17] Atlantic Records 075678959301
Canada[55]
Germany[55] May 7, 2010 Warner Music
Poland[56] 7567893027
Australia May 8, 2010[55]
The Netherlands[55]
United Kingdom[57][58] May 10, 2010 Atlantic Records (UK) 756789302
Worldwide[55] Warner Music
South Korea[59] WKPD-0155
Mexico[60] May 18, 2010 75678930270
Japan[47] May 26, 2010 WPCR-13837
Brazil[61] May 27, 2010 75678930270
South Africa[62] May 28, 2010

References

  1. 1 2 "Pulse: Toni Braxton: Music". Amazon.com. September 9, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
  2. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (February 26, 2014). "'Frozen' Earns Most Weeks At No. 1 For A Soundtrack Since 'Titanic'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Toni Braxton Album Due in February". Rap-Up. October 30, 2009. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Levine, Nick (March 24, 2010). "Toni Braxton - Music Interview". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  5. 1 2 "Toni Braxton Eyes Usher Collaboration, Explains Album Delay". Rap-Up. February 11, 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  6. ↑ "New Music: Shanell, Toni Braxton, & Jessie McCartney". Rap-Up. January 3, 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  7. ↑ Toni Braxton interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' May 2010
  8. ↑ Woman Enough"www.werarepopslags.co.uk". "retrieved April 14, 2010".
  9. ↑ "Pulse (Deluxe) by Toni Braxton - Preorder Pulse (Deluxe) on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Toni Braxton Casts Mo'Nique for Album". Rap-Up.com. February 17, 2010. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  11. ↑ "New Music: Toni Braxton f/ Mo’Nique – ‘Caught (Don’t Take Your Hat Off)’". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Toni Braxton "Pulse" Album Preview". Billboard.com. September 14, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
  13. ↑ "New Music: Toni Braxton – ‘Get Loose’". Rap-Up.com. December 29, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Sean Paul: Gimme the Mohawk". Rap-Up.com. March 27, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Toni Braxton | News". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Toni Braxton Eyes Usher Collaboration, Explains Album Delay". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  17. 1 2 "Official "Pulse" Album Cover - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Listen to a New Track Off Of 'Pulse' Each Week on Amazon.com! - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Toni Performs on the Ellen Show TODAY (April 27th) + Upcoming TV Appearances! - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. April 24, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Watch Toni Perform on the Mo'Nique Show Tonight! - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
  21. ↑ Toni Braxton on NBC'S The Today Show ToniBraxton.com Accessed on May 4, 2010
  22. ↑ "Twitter / Toni Braxton: Having a wonderful time do". Twitter.com. Retrieved March 20, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Toni Braxton - Make My Heart [Official Video] - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Toni Braxton - "Hands Tied" [Official Video] - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  26. ↑ 49 Peak. "Hands Tied - Toni Braxton". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
  27. ↑ "WORLD PREMIERE: Toni Braxton - Woman - Blog Detail". ToniBraxton.com. June 28, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  28. 1 2 Caulfield, Keith (May 12, 2010). "Godsmack Grabs Third No. 1 Album; Eminem Wows Digitally". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  29. 1 2 Grein, Paul (May 12, 2010). "Week Ending May 9, 2010: Starting The "Recovery" Process". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  30. 1 2 Nielsen SoundScan Charts: Top 100 - For the Week Ending 6 May, 2010. Jam!. Retrieved on May 17, 2010.
  31. 1 2 Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive - 22nd May 2010. The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved on May 17, 2010.
  32. 1 2 Top 40 R&B Albums Archive - 22nd May 2010. The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved on May 17, 2010.
  33. 1 2 "Critic Reviews for Pulse". Metacritic. Retrieved on May 6, 2010.
  34. ↑ Pardalis, Dan (May 5, 2010). "Music - Toni Braxton - Pulse Review". 411Mania. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  35. 1 2 Nero, Mark Edward. "Review: Toni Braxton - 'Pulse'". About.com. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  36. 1 2 Kellman, Andy. "Pulse - Toni Braxton". Allmusic. Retrieved on May 4, 2010.
  37. ↑ Concepcion, Mariel (June 1, 2010). "Toni Braxton, 'Pulse'". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  38. 1 2 Shaw, Natalie (May 6, 2010). "Review of Toni Braxton - Pulse". BBC Music. Retrieved on May 7, 2010.
  39. 1 2 Capobianco, Ken (May 3, 2010). "Toni Braxton, 'Pulse'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved on May 4, 2010.
  40. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "CG: Toni Braxton". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  41. 1 2 Wood, Mikael (May 4, 2010). "Album review: Toni Braxton's 'Pulse'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on May 4, 2010.
  42. 1 2 Jones, Steve (May 3, 2010). "Toni Braxton, Pulse: A Return to Form". USA Today. Retrieved on May 4, 2010.
  43. 1 2 Godfrey, Sarah (May 4, 2010). "Album review of 'Pulse' by Toni Braxton". The Washington Post. Retrieved on May 4, 2010.
  44. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/pulse-deluxe/id369058316
  45. ↑ "Pulse, Toni Braxton, Music CD - Barnes & Noble". Music.barnesandnoble.com. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
  46. ↑ "Pulse -Toni Braxton". Targat.com. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
  47. 1 2 "Pulse【CD】-Toni Braxton｜Dance｜Dance & Soul｜Music｜HMV ONLINE Online Shopping & Information Site". Hmv.co.jp. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
  48. ↑ Track listing and credits as per liner notes for Pulse album
  49. ↑ "Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles Chart - Australian Record Industry Association". Ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  50. 1 2 "Toni Braxton – Pulse – Music Charts". αCharts.us. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  51. 1 2 Steffen Hung. "Toni Braxton - Pulse". swisscharts.com. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  52. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/european-albums?begin=31&order=position
  53. ↑ ":: MTV | Rock am Ring 2010". Mtv.de. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  54. ↑ "RISA Top 20". Recording Industry of South Africa (in Afrikaans). rsg.co.za. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
  55. 1 2 3 4 5 "Toni Braxton | Official Website: Photos, Blog, Videos, Interactive and more.". ToniBraxton.com. Retrieved March 20, 2010.
  56. ↑ "Toni Braxton - Pulse - muzyka - płyty CD i DVD - sklep muzyczny Merlin.pl". Merlin.pl. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
  57. ↑ "(UK) : Toni Braxton - Pulse : CD - Free Delivery". Play.com. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  58. ↑ "Music CDs, DVDs, Games & More". hmv.com. December 15, 2005. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  59. ↑ "(KOR) : Toni Braxton - Pulse". Hyangmusic.com. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  60. ↑ "(MEX) : Toni Braxton - Pulse : CD - Free Delivery". mixup.com. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  61. ↑ "(Bra) : Toni Braxton - Pulse : Brazilian release date". livrariacultura.com.br. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  62. ↑ "Toni Braxton - Pulse". Entertainmentafrica Mobile. Retrieved June 10, 2010.

External links

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