Return of the Mack (album)

Return of the Mack is the debut album by English recording artist Mark Morrison, first released through his Mack Life Records imprint in the United Kingdom and then Atlantic Records in the United States with distribution via Warner Music Group. The album is known for featuring the popular song, "Return of the Mack" which spent a remarkable forty-one weeks on the Billboard charts.

Upon its release Return of the Mack received mixed reviews from music critics, who praised Morrison's strong voice and entertaining songs, but described the album as having weak production. The album spent thirty-eight weeks on the UK Albums Chart where it debuted and peaked at number four, and has since been certified platinum by BPI.^[1] On the US Billboard 200 chart, the album reached a peak of seventy-six, however, it would eventually be certified platinum by RIAA due to the success of the lead single there, "Return of the Mack".^[2] The album has since sold over 3 million copies worldwide.

The album would make Morrison the first artist in British pop history to have five top 10 singles from a debut album to chart on the UK Singles Chart. These included "Let's Get Down", "Return of the Mack", "Crazy (Remix)", "Trippin'", "Horny" and "Moan and Groan". The first single "Crazy" became a top 20 hit in the UK; a remix was also released, which peaked at number six in the UK. When "Return of the Mack" was released in spring 1996, it would become an international hit, spending two weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart and one week at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was listed at #8 on the Billboard year-end chart for 1997 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Morrison became the first black male solo artist to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart in the 1990s.^[3]

In 1997, he received four Brit Awards nominations, a Mercury Prize nomination, an MTV Europe Music Awards nomination, and five Music of Black Origin Awards (MOBO) nominations. He would go onto win Best R&B song in the 1996 MOBO Awards for "Return of the Mack".^[4]

Background

The album was released on 22 April 1996 (1996-04-22) through his own record label, Mack Life Records. The album was largely self-produced by Morrison, and was recorded over a two-year period. The album's release was preceded by the release of three singles.

Release and promotion

At the 1997 BRIT Awards held on 24 February 1997, he performed "Return of the Mack".

Singles

The debut song "Crazy" became a top 20 hit in the UK. It was later featured in the 1997 film Speed 2: Cruise Control and appeared on the film's soundtrack album. The second single was "Let's Get Down".

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	^[5]
Entertainment Weekly	B^[6]

Return of the Mack received mixed reviews from music critics. Entertainment Weekly writer Matt Diehl wrote "its title, "Return of the Mack" sounds like another rap tale of gangsta paradise; instead, Mark Morrison comes off more like a funked-up Seal, promising revenge to a deceitful lover in a warbly croon." He goes onto add, "the end result is an odd but infectious new-jack-swing variation on Hey Joe, buoyed by bubbly beats and the insistent title refrain."

Track listing

Standard track list
No.	Title	Music	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Home Part 1 (Interlude)"	Billy Moss	Mark Morrison, Phil Chill	1:08
2.	"Crazy" (featuring Angie Brown and Daddy Wattsie)	Jim Abbiss	Mark Morrison, Phil Chill, Mykaell Riley	3:41
3.	"Let's Get Down" (featuring Lady Juice, Yvonne J. Lewis, Darae, George Hammond Hagan & John Hammond Hagan)	Marcellus Fernandes	Brockpocket for CBL	3:53
4.	"Get High With Me" (featuring Imaani)	R. Herrington, Mark Taylor, Phil Chill	Mark Taylor, Phil Chill	3:58
5.	"Moan and Groan" (featuring Bev Skeete)	Phil Bodger, Billy Moss, Don E	Phil Chill	5:27
6.	"Return of the Mack (C&J Street Mix)" (featuring Angie Brown)	R. Herrington, Phil Chill, Al Christie, Mike McEvoy	Phil Chill, Mark Morrison, Cutfather, Joe	4:35
7.	"I Like" (featuring Yvonne J. Lewis, Darae, George Hammond Hagan & John Hammond Hagan)	Marcellus Fernandes	Brockpocket for CBL	3:49
8.	"Trippin'" (featuring Bev Skeete and Darae)	Billy Moss, Phil Chill, Don E	Mark Morrison, Phil Chill	4:45
9.	"Tears for You" (featuring Imaani and Mica Paris)	Phil Bodger, Phil Chill, Mike McEvoy	Mark Morrison, Phil Chill,	4:43
10.	"Horny" (featuring K–La)	Mike McEvoy, Phil Chill, Jim Abbiss	Mark Morrison, Phil Chill	2:59
11.	"I Really Love You" (featuring Imaani)	Phil Bodger, Phil Chill	Mark Morrison, Phil Chill	4:06
12.	"Crazy (D-Influence Mix)"		D-Influence, Mark Morrison, Phil Chill, Mykaell Riley	4:21
13.	"Home Part 2 (Interlude)"	Billy Moss	Mark Morrison, Phil Chill	1:16

US version
No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Crazy (D-Influence Mix)"
2.	"Let's Get Down"
3.	"Get High with Me"
4.	"Moan and Groan"
5.	"Return of the Mack"
6.	"I Like"
7.	"Trippin'"
8.	"Horny"
9.	"Tears for You"
10.	"Candy"
11.	"Return of the Mack (Da Beatminerz Remix)"
12.	"Crazy"

Charts and certifications

Chart (1996–1997)	Peak position
UK Albums Chart	4
US Billboard 200	79
US R&B/Hip Hop Albums	30

Release history

Region	Date	Label(s)	Format
United Kingdom	22 April 1996 (1996-04-22)	Mack Life Records, Warner Music Group	CD, cassette, vinyl
United States	22 March 1997 (1997-03-22)	Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group	CD, cassette, vinyl

References

Mark Morrison

Studio albums	Return of the Mack (1996) Innocent Man (2006)

EPs	Only God Can Judge Me (1997) I Am What I Am (2014)

Singles	"Return of the Mack" "Horny"

Related articles	Discography

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